Afton, a rivulet of New Cumnock parish, SE Ayrshire, rises on the northern slope of Albany Hill, at an altitude of 1750 feet, near the meeting-point of Ayr, Dumfries, and Kirkcudbright shires. Thence it runs 9 miles northward, in rapid current, along the lovely valley of Glenafton, and falls into the Nith 3 furlongs NNE of New Cumnock church. It is celebrated in Burns's song, ' Flow gently, sweet Afton, among thy green braes. '

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