James Aitoun, of Tilloch

James Aiton bought the farm of Score- Tilloch, in the parish of Galston ; and died atPriest- landmill in that parish, in the year 1720, at something more than ninety years of age. Taking his sons in the order of their births, each will be traced separately, to the present period;

John Aiton, eldest son of James, the first laird of Score- Tilloch, succeeded his father in that property, and also in the possession of the farm of Cot-hill, which he held in lease. John, in his advanced years, gave up the lands to his son Andrew, and retired to Ralstonhill in the parish of Kilmarnock, where he taught a school, and died about the year 1755.

Possibly the son of Robert Aytoun, 4th of Inchdairnie (who died in 10/1650) and Helen Hamilton (of Wemyss, Fife, Scotland) according to familysearch.org

The Ayton or Aytoun family originated in Berwickshire. Their influence spread to Fife and in 1539 a branch of the family was granted lands at Inchdairnie, near Kinglassie. They prospered, and acquired other estates at Cardenden and Saline, and, around 1600, the estate then described as "Over Grange at Kinghorn Wester" - the Grange estate at Burntisland. They also had property in the south of France, where they spent much of their time.

In the aristocratic custom of the day, they intermarried with the rich and famous, including the powerful Wemyss family. They produced enlightened farmers, military men, advocates and literary figures - one of whom is credited with the version of "Auld Lang Syne" which Robert Burns subsequently adapted.