Luce, a river partly of Ayrshire but chiefly of Wigtown shire. Rising at an altitude of 1300 feet above sea-level on the southern slope of Beneraid (1435 feet), it first runs 3 ¹/8 miles south-south-eastward through Ballantrae parish to the boundary between Ayrshire and Wigtownshire, and then winds 15 ¹/8 miles south-south-eastward till it falls into the head of Luce Bay. During the first 12 miles it bears the name of the Main Water of Luce, which at New Luce village, where it receives the Cross Water, it exchanges for that of the Water of Luce. From a point a little way above New Luce village it is followed pretty closely by the Girvan and Portpatrick railway. Its waters yield capital salmon and sea-trout fishing- the best in Wigtownshire, though not so good as formerly.

(F.H. Groome, Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland (1882-4); © 2004 Gazetteer for Scotland)