Town House and Steeple opened 1826 and Town Hall 1892. Once housed thetown jail, a cinema, civic functions and weddings until closed in 2009. Recently refurbished at a cost of ?3.77 million and open for Doors Open Day.

]]> Landmark building standing on former Moot Hill. Category B listed, opened 1825. Chancel added 1910 and beautiful War Memorial window 1919.

Former minister, Rev Alexander Moodie, mentioned by Burns in?The Twa Herds?and The Holy Fair, is buried in the Graveyard.

Records on display; Slide Show of Old Riccarton

Service 11.30am

]]> Have you ever wondered what it would be like to examine buildings from different periods side by side? Compare the characters of buildings from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries in our Projecting The Past exhibition.

]]> Private museum containing unique display of telephone memorabilia dating from early 1900s to the present. Housed within old bakehouse dating from 1769, adjacent to the Matthew Burn Green, only remaining public green in Darvel.?

]]> shipbuilding family. Hammer beam roof, fine window tracery, Iona marble in chancel, halls extension 1964 & 2000.]]> The Palace Theatre developed from James Ingram's Corn Exchange is 150 years old this month. 

Visit this unique building, learn more about its history and be among the first to see the 150th birthday exhibition.

]]> Category A listed building extensively restored externally with funding from ERDF, Historic Scotland and SAC, with support of Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire. Owned by the Scottish Agricultural college, which teaches land-based courses.

]]> Largely built 1774. Elegant steeple. Stained glass by W & J J Kier, with 1996 window by Susan Bradbury to commemorate bicentenary of death of Robert Burns, who worshipped here during his stay in Irvine. Churchyard has several noteworthy graves and memorials, some dating back to pre-Reformation. David Sillar is buried here, and one of the Mauchline Belles. Designated Commonwealth Grave graveyard.

Tour of graveyard at 2.30pm

]]> Former Ardrossan Parish Church built 1773 given major renovation. Fine mediaeval stone sarcophagus, portrait of Archibald, 13th Earl of Eglinton, a painting of Eglinton Castle, and a huge projector from the 1930s which was used at Barrfields in Largs, are amongst the varied exhibits. Current exhibition showcases all the different museums in North Ayrshire, and you never knew we have so many!

For the first time, we are delighted to welcome Captain Betsy Miller to the Centre! Betsy was the first registered female ship's captain who sailed from Saltcoats during the latter half of the 19th century. She will greet you and take you on a walking tour round her Saltcoats visiting her place of birth, the harbour where she sailed and her burial place before arriving back for some rations. Tours take place at 10 a.m. and at 2 p.m., free but places must be booked in advance on 01294 464 174.

]]> The 67ft tower in Scots Baronial style was designed by William Fraser and completed in 1898 as a memorial to the poet in the place where he first rose to fame. ?It houses limited displays and excellent views of Ayrshire and is now open to the public by appointment.?

]]> Comprises visitor portacabin and Royal Observer Corps underground monitoring post, manned until 1991. The primary function was to monitor and report on the effects of a nuclear attack as part of an extensive chain throughout the United Kingdom. This is the only monitoring post in the West of Scotland for public access. Access by climbing down a 15ft vertical steel ladder. Warm clothing and sensible shoes required.

Pre-booking essential due to restricted space. Tel: 07513 504 115 to reserve a place.

]]> Open Art and Small World.]]> Late 16th century, L-shaped, 4-storey fortified tower house with early 19th century additions. There's a particularly fine oriel window showing nine carved heads on exterior. Barrel-vaulted cellars below main hall.  Formerly a town house of the Kennedys of Cassillis. Finest of the original 28 lairds' houses in Maybole.

 

]]> Present church, by William Alexander, 1829, stands on site of St Michael's Church founded in 13 century. Single bell cast in 1742. Willis pipe organ 1888, rebuilt in 1980. Associations with Covenanters and Robert Burns, many of whose contemporaries are buried in the Kirkyard.

Audio tours for children and adults highlight special features of our church; also touch screen display of the Heritage of our Parish.

Sunday Service 11.15am

]]> Set in 7 acres of landscaped gardens, the crematorium was built by the local authorities in 1966.

Guided tours will be conducted through the impressive Chapel and into the crematory, where the cremation process will be explained.  All questions welcome. 

]]> Congregation dates from the Disruption of 1843. Building reconstructed late 19C in French Romanesque style by Archibald J Grahame, his only monument, recently rennovated. Fine stained glass by Douglas Strachan.

Service 10.00am

]]> Within Auld Kirkyard, off Main Street, near Museum.

1636 Renaissance-style canopied tomb within mausoleum to Montgomerie family. Splendid painted barrel-vaulted timber ceiling. Owned by Historic Scotland. Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane Mausoleum in Kirkyard.

]]> Private museum containing instruments, uniforms and memorabilia relating to the aircraft reporting duties in WW2 and the potential nuclear missile attack scenarios on Scotland during the Cold War.  Contains a mock up above ground aircraft reporting post, underground monitoring post and group control.

Open Sunday. 

]]> Largs Museum Trust presents a fine collection of domestic artefacts, seaside souvenirs, and photographs of old Largs and Australian connections; and archival material for researchers.

Display includes Largs' involvement in planning D Day during the Second World War.

]]> Robert Adam church 1777, restored 1997, which replaced 1230 building now a ruin in Old Church Kirkyard. Links with Robert Burns who studied mathematics here, and with Dwight D Eisenhower who worshipped here when President of the USA.]]> The Mother Lodge was founded in Kilwinning c. 1140. Present building consecrated 1893. Masonic and other artefacts, some dating back to the early 17th century, portraits, furnishings, and transcription of Lodge Minute Book of 1600.

]]> The first Church of Scotland church built in the new millennium and dedicated in March 2001. Designed by James F Stephen, the building has a distinctive round design, which creates a light and airy atmosphere. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow the church to be flooded with sunlight during services throughout the year.

]]> Formerly the Abbey Church by John Swan, 1774, on the site of its 16th century predecessor which was located in the ruins of Kilwinning Abbey founded around 1888, so our history on this site goes back over 830 years. Simple T-plan with attractive Eglinton loft, supported on fluted Corinthian columns. Stained glass by W & J J Keir, Gordon Webster, Stephen Adam & Son, Abbey Studio, Sax Shaw and Paul Lucky, Forster and Andrews organ 1887, wall tapestry and Cole Hamilton screen.

Service 10:30am.

]]> Designed by David Hamilton, completed 1816, and built on the foundations of the NW tower of the 12th century Tironensian Abbey. Staffed by volunteers from Kilwinning Heritage. Displays on the Abbey, Robert Service 'The Bard of the Yukon', the Ancient Society of Kilwinning Archers and the papingo competition dating from 1483, matchstick models and local history. Working clock mechanism 1816 by James Blair and two large bells on display.

]]> Landmark building standing on former Moot Hill. Category B listed, opened 1825. Chancel added 1910 and beautiful War memorial window 1919. Former minister, Rev Alexander Moodie mentioned by Burns in The Twa Herds and The Holy Fair, is buried in the Kirkyard. Records on display; Slide Show of Old Riccarton.

]]> Kilmarnock's oldest church building, built 1732 of local stone by the Hunter Brothers to a design adapted from St Martin in the Fields, London.

Austere exterior contrasts with pleasing interior enhanced by unique set of 23 stained glass windows by W & J J Kier., 1860s. Kirkyard with tombs including John Wilson, publisher of Robert Burns' first book of poems and Thomas Morton, telescope maker and inventor.

]]> Category A Listed, recently the subject of major renovation.

Body of the Church by Robert Johnstone, 1802. Enlarged 1831 with later 19th century Session room. Clock tower 17th century.

Tragedy struck 1801.

Interesting monuments and fine stained glass by Normal McDougall, J T and C Stewart, A C Whalen and Susan Bradbury.

Kirkyard contains graves of Covenanters Ross and Shields as well as Rev. James MacKinlay and Rev John Robertson, both mentioned in The Ordination plus Tam Samson, friend of Robert Burns. Relocated World War memorials.

New audio tour guide. Service 11am.

]]> The UKs first dedicated centre for genealogical research housing registration services, family history research room and some archives under one roof.  Built following fire of 2004 around the iconic 1879 statue of Robert Burns by William Grant Stevenson, the centre also boasts a 3D digitised version of Burns's "The Kilmarnock Edition" of Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect. 

A new venue for weddings, ceremonies and conferences.

]]> Built as bonded warehouse 1895-97, extended 1898 and 1907. This four-storey,multi-bay, French Renaissance style brick and slate, category B listed building is the only reminder of the former complex that dominated this area.

Refurbishment and conversion to office accommodation is a key element of the East Ayrshire Council’s work to retain and enhance the character of the historic town centre. 

]]> Thomas Smellie, 1906-7, Free Gothic in red sandstone on impressive site. Carillon of bells, 1950, Norman and Beard organ. Stained glass by Stephan Adam, Alf Website and four windows by Wendy Robertson, 1987. Brass cross by Benno Shotz. Church refurbished 2015-16 letting more light into the Sanctuary.

]]> Fully operational with modern fire appliances, Arial Rescue Platform and Major Incident Unit. Up to date training facilities and community safety education room with 55 operational fire fighters.

Built on the site of Riccarton Castle, birthplace of Alan Wallace, father of William Wallace.

]]> Multi-function arts centre with theatre, studio and gallery spaces, plus stylish cafe bar and foyer, Scottish Arts Council funded. Cultural hub for North Ayrshire.

]]> Largely built 1774. Elegant steeple. Stained glass by W and J J Kier, with 1996 window by Susan Bradbury to commemorate 200th anniversary of death of Robert Burns, who worshipped here during his stay in Irvine.

Churchyard has several noteworthy graves and memorials, some dating back to Pre-Reformation. David Sillar is buried here and one of the Mauchline Belles.

Designated Commonwealth Grave graveyard.

]]> A 4-star visitor attraction. Fascinating display of original Burns material and items of the Royal Burgh of Irvine.

Collection of holograph letters, including Charles Dickens, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Margaret Thatcher. Audio-visual display illustrating Burns' life in Irvine.

Interesting glass in stairs and music room by Paul Lucky.

Irvine Burns Club, founded in 1826 and one of the oldest, has one of Scotland's most significant Burns treasure troves.

Statue by Alan B Herriot.

Barometer from Irvine Lifeboat Station.

The Templeton chair taken to Australia 1909 recently returned.

]]> Visitor Centre offers guided tours of the Station where you will find out more about nuclear power and the generation of electricity. Informative exhibitions and videos highlighting care and protection of the environment and safe running of the Power Station. Visitor Centre 9.30 a.m. - 4.30 p.m

]]> Gothic church by James Wallace, 1865, with porch and magnificent chancel designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, 1856. Chancel contains unique Pre-Raphaelite style painted walls and ceiling designed by Powell & Sons and Burlison & Grylls, described by Close & Riches thus: It is without parallel in Ayrshire, and stands among the best examples of High Victorian church decoration in Scotland.

Stained glass by Powell & Sons, Clayton & Bell, and William Aikman.

Pipe organ 1877, refurbished 1939.

Communion service on Sunday 10.30am - all welcome.

]]> The estate comprises several buildings used for service provision for adults with learning disabilities. Visit Murdoch House, administration HQ. It was built 1931-34 as Broadmeadowsfor J Percival Agnew and designed by Mervyn Noad in English Manorial Arts and Crafts style. Many original features inclusing a fine carved oak staircase inside and fine stone carvings outside.

New state of the art eco-friendly Our Space at the Baird Centre is a clever redevelopment by David Ferguson of former garages to provide a fantastic new community resource. It is a purpose built therapy centre offering specialist through-the-day support and activities for people living with a learning disability including related dementia. It has ground source heating and recycles rainwater. 

]]> Erected 1825-27 to serve as a jail with cells on first, second and third floors, all barrel vaulted. Following loss of adjoining McMaster Hall by fire in 1939 it is now free standing.

]]> Recently restored 12th century Kirk.

Partially restored by 3rd Marquess of Bute in 1898.

Covenanters' graves, including Thomas Fleming, ancestor to Sir Alexander Fleming.

The memorial to the tragic Lady Flora Hastings is prominent in the Kirkyard.

Preservation work supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic Scotland and work with the Carved Stones of Scotland Association. Stewarded by the Friends of Loudoun Kirk.

]]> Rectangular, with pedimented gable above its three front doors, and round-headed windows. Vaulted chancel, 1912. U-shaped gallery, 3 manual organ by James Binn of Leeds, 1913. Stained glass by Oscar Paterson. Memorial to Rev. Dr. Robert Stirling, Minister 1824-78 during cholera epidemic and inventor of the Stirling Engine. Memorial, ruined gravestone and resting place of Rev. George Smith, Minister 1778-1823 and who was the great grandfather of Robert Louis Stevenson and whose name crops up in three poems by Robert Burns.

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]]> An old Norman keep built by the Lockhart family after an invasion of Anglo-Norman people in the 12th and 13th centuries.??George Wishart 1545 and John Knox 1556, the Scottish reformers, both preached here?as church doors were locked against them.?

Home of Lodge St Peter 331 for over a hundred years.

Community garden

Museum: Display from Steven Brown Art/Lifestyle: McCoo

]]> A village kirk within a farming community. celebrating our 375th anniversary of the Greek cross-shaped Kirk. On display: The Covenanter's flag raised at the Battle of Drumclog, Captain Paton's Bible, an embroidered hanging plus a large number of Covenanting memorials. Site of the signing of the world's first known Co-operative charter. Conventicle in churchyard after Sunday Service.

]]> Community garden growing a wide variety of fruit and vegitables in raised beds and three polytunnels.  

This is a sustainable garden with a peripheral woodland walk, picnic areas on the coast and an indoor seated area.  

]]> Built as a Chapel of Ease in 1834, and extended in 1883 by J J Stephenson. Superb windows by Alfred and Gordon Webster, J H Dearle, Morris, Powell and Moira Malcolm of Prestwick. Pulpit by Bennett exhibited in 1888 Empire Exhibition. Weather vane is a model of Fife's yacht design Latifa. Fairlie Stone, early mediaeval sculptured stone. 1578 'Breeches' Bible, HMS Kingfisher memorial lost off Fairlie 1944. Time Line Book of 177 years of History.

]]> It has been a long while but the doors to the ruins of Eglinton Castle will be open once again on Sunday the 9th of September. Climb to the top and take in the stunning sights of the Country Park from the best possible location. Due to health and safety reasons, only a limited number can be in the Tower at any one time, so please be prepared for a wait. Meet the Rangers at the Tower.

Pre-booking essential. Tel: 01294 551 776 to reserve a place.

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Photo credit: Michael Hitchon

]]> The harbour celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2011. Conceived by Thomas Kennedy, it was an ambitious plan to create a harbour on a difficult stretch of rocky coastline. The tower was a vital element in recognising the entrance and its function may be unique in Scotland.

The fishing community thrived and there are still lobster boats and pleasure craft using the harbour today.

Image (c) G. Michael Hitchon 

]]> Category-B listed building of 1835 incorporating earlier work from 1621. Outstanding 26 stained glass windows, unusual in a rural village.

Recent 4-year major restoration and refurbishment programme following outbreak of dry rot, cost £3/4M. Two important Category-A listed building adjacent: early 17th century Hans Hamilton's Tomb of Dunlop's first post-Reformation minister, and Clandeboyes Hall (formerly village school) built to honour Hans Hamilton by one of his sons, Viscount Clandeboye.

]]> Traditional stone church of 1804 on site of two earlier buildings.  Fine pre-Raphaelite stained glass, including windows by Henry Dearle, Edward Burne-Jones, William Morris, Philip Webb and Gordon Webster.  

Pipe Organ 1906 by Norman and Beard.  Artefacts illustrating church history.  Tidy graveyard with some interesting stones. 

]]> War and romance, smuggling and heroism, tales of the supernatural and more - Royal Dundonald Castle is one of Scotland's fascinating treasures. Home to Scots King Robert II, grandson of Robert the Bruce, this is where the formidable Stewart dynasty was born. Visit this 14th century castle, its ancient hilltop and surrounding woodlands and discover its 2000 year past.

]]> Private museum containing unique display of telephone memorabilia dating from early 1900s to the present. Housed within old bakehouse dating from 1767, adjacent to the Matthew Burn Green, only remaining public green in Darvel.

]]> A church has been on this site since c.1604. Present building by David Thomson 1873, repaired after fire of 1951 destroyed roof and chancel. Stained glass by Guthrie & Wells, Hemony bell c.1604, organ by Blackett & Howden rebuilt 1952 by Hill Norman & Beard. Service 10.30 am.

]]> Norman-style with tower built 1845-46 by McCandlish, New Galloway, architect Patrick Wilson, Edinburgh. Fine pipe organ by Vincent of Leeds installed 1914. Eight stained glass windows by A Ballantine Gardiner, Gordon Webster and others.?

]]>
Image (c) G.Michael Hitchon]]> Studio of Roddy McKenzie and Art Gallery in historic house, where artists living and working in Scotland can display their work.  Original works and prints available. 

]]> Founded early in the 13th century by the Earl of Carrick and its remains include the church, cloister, chapter house and domestic premises.  Owned by Historic Scotland.

 

]]> ?Crawick Multiverse is a world-class landscape designed by the renowned artist Charles Jencks. Formerly an open-cast coal mine, a 1 million restoration project saw the site transformed from a blot on the landscape to a stunning attraction that can be enjoyed by many. Landforms represent stars, galaxies, black holes, comets and more.

]]> Robert Burns?and Jean Armour lived here for a few months?in 1788.?? The recently refurbished museum displays?Burns' manuscripts and memorabilia.?

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