Calder, a rivulet of Ayr and Renfrew shires. It rises in Largs parish on the N slope of Burnt Hill (1589 feet), near the mutual border of the two counties; runs 1¼ mile ENE on this boundary, then 2½ miles E and SE on the boundary between Kilmalcolm and Lochwinnoch parishes, expanding here into a triangular lake, called Calder Dam (2¼ x 1½ furl.); then proceeds about 5½ miles SE, through Lochwinnoch parish, to the head of Castle-Semple Loch, in the vicinity of Lochwinnoch town. A number of beautiful cascades diversify its romantic course, while on its banks are several cotton-mills.—Ord. Sur., sh. 30,1866.

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