Browse Items (4104 total)

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.

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…

Rowallan Castle is steeped in history, with its original structure believed to date back to the 13th century.

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.

A night-time scare-trail through Ayr's ghostly past, led by storyteller Rosie Mapplebeck.All guided tours are free and must be booked in advance through the Townscape Heritage InitiativeOffice. Please email: toria.cassidy@south-ayrshire.gov.uk or…

As a part of our project “Scanning The Horizon” we have created virtual tours to improve access to our collection. Thanks to 360° photography you can now enjoy tours of our vessels from the comfort of your own home! Move between panoramas to explore…

Set up by Scottish Sports Council in 1975 to provide a base for promoting water sports, including sailing and windsurfing and for training elite racing squads. Recent developments include residential facilities with fleet of modern boats and…

Purpose-built Neo-Classical court house with majestic 4-columned Ionic portico. Recently refurbished to provide 2 large jury courts, 2 small non-jury courts, witness and jury rooms, and custody area. Interesting stained glass.

Access by climbing down a 15ft vertical steel ladder. Warm clothing and sensible shoes required.The first fully restored monitoring post (built 1965) in Scotland following the 1991 stand-down of the ROC facilities that would have reported nuclear…

Smuggling, forgery, assault and robbery - the crimes of Ayr's past are laid bare in an intriguing exhibition in the Old Court in the Town Hall Jail Cells.

The cottage and shoemaker's workshop of John Davidson, the real life prototype of Tam's 'ancient trusty, drouthy crony' in Burns' Tam o' Shanter.The cottage contains many relics, including the family bible and the tools of a…

The oldest church still in use in Largs. Plaques to Baron Kelvin of Largs, scientist and Thomas MacDougall Brisbane, explorer, who gave his name to Brisbane, Australia. Marble reredos with symbols of the 4 Evangelists. Fine carving.

Gifted by 3rd Marquess of Bute, a rare Scottish example of Burgess's work. Fine artwork and good stained glass windows. Altarpiece by J F Bentley and N J Westlake.

Gifted by 3rd Marquess of Bute, a rare Scottish example of Burgess's work. Fine artwork and good stained glass windows. Altarpiece by J F Bentley and N J Westlake.

Gifted by 3rd Marquess of Bute. Artwork and good stained glass windows. In 1885 the church became the first in the country lit by electricity.

Built of Penkill blue whin with Dalmellington freestone dressings by architect Alexander G Thomson who restored Penkill Castle. Tower added 1911 by James Chalmers. The odd exterior is compensated by a charming interior with fine 16C chancel screen of…

Built in 1971 at a time when this part of town was being populated. It is a modern building differing in design from trditional churches. It has always had a strong connection with the local community.

Perpendicular Gothic, rectangular plan six-bay church with centrally placed tower on north gable end, by John Ingram, 1836. Fine carillon of bells. Three-manual pipe organ 1872, painted organ screen. Extensive restoration programme completed 1997.…

The church at Kilmaurs was in the possession of Kelso Abbey as early as 1170. In 1413 the present foundation was endowed by Sir William Cunninghame as a collegiate church. Rebuilt by Robert S Ingram 1888 in a cruciform shape. Stained glass,…

Built in Mauchline red sandstone in 1888, St Meddan's was designed by John Bennie Wilson in Gothic style. It has a prominent spire?and bell tower, housing a clock dating from 1751, built by Andrew Dickie and originally from The University of…

Impressive red sandstone church designed by P MacGregor Chalmers and built on a cruciform plan. In 2008 original entrance vestibule replaces by modern design to give a more open aspect and allow views into church.Many interesting features including…

Built 1926 on site of former church land given for Lazar house (leper hospice) after Robert the Bruce was miraculously healed of his skin condition in 1321. The organ dates from 1947 and the new hall 1999. Next the ancient site of St Ninian's…

James A Morris, 1912 - 13, in the Arts & Crafts manner, of Mauchline stone. Features oak doors and furniture by Robert Thompson of Kilburn, North Yorkshire, displaying his distinctive carved mouse trademark. Organ by JJ Binns, rebuilt 1987.

The congregation was established in 1847 to serve English and Irish weavers who worked in the main industry of the town at that time. The current building, a small, simple, gothic style sandstone church was built in 1883 on land gifted by the…

Category A church by Jack Coia and T Wharnett Kennedy, 1938, in red and yellow brick with red tiled roof rectangular tower and a simple, impressive interior. New stained glass by Lighthouse Glass of Irvine. Parish Centre added 1997; the Presbytery…

Category A-listed. The medieval building was restored in 1595 and extended to form a T-plan in 1767. Good pulpit and 18th century?fittings, and the kirkyard contains the mausoleum of the Campbells of Craigie by W H Playfair, 1822.

Formerly Stair School, c.1800-1969, the centre is now owned and run by Stair Community Association. You are invited to see how the building has changed over 200 years, and proposed future improvements. Heritage exhibitions relating to the old school,…

Restrained Gothic built 1864 by architect William Alexander, in a lovely rural setting where a warm welcome awaits visitors. Early 20th century rose window with original design drawings. Almost full birth and marriage records and full cemetery index…

A wonderful opportunity to visit a home where energy saving measures have been retro fitted, and discuss the pros and cons with the occupiers.?This property requires no appointment, visitors are welcomed between 10am and 4pm on both Saturday 7 and…

This small but very interesting museum on the first floor of the Townhouse is the result of many years hard work dedicated to the life of Stewarton - the Bonnet Toun, and its people with access to local family history.

Opened 1841, this active evangelical church has a long history. In the small hall, view the Cradle Roll going back several decades. Sunday Service 11.15 a.m.

Built 1696, renovated 1775 and widened 1825 with later additions. There is an unusual bell tower above the recently restored clock and a rare triangular window. Lainshaw Loft is used by local Foodbank and to store furniture from former Cairns Church…

Category A listed architectural gem dating from 1758 with fine woodwork, and much interior and exterior ornamentation. Attached late 15th century chapel, bell tower of 1901, plus Covenanters' memorial in the Kirkyard.

12th century Norman with 18th century extension. Oldest church in Ayrshire still in use. Restoration by P McGregor Chalmers, 1919. Fine dog-toothed three-light windows and collar-beam roof with original timbers. Fine stained glass by Gordon Webster,…

The 17th century thatched cottage where Robert Burns and his friends formed a literary and debating society in 1780. Restored for the Burns Bicentennial, the house contains fascinating Burns memorabilia.Owned by the National Trust for Scotland.

The Lodge was consecrated in 1771 and has strong connections with Robert Burns with displays of memorabilia in Museum and Lodge room. Burns was Depute Master of the Lodge 1784-88.

What sounds do buildings make? experience architecture in an entirely new way, through soundscapes of some of Ayr's buildings.

Ayr is full of beautiful and unexpected vistas, views and settings - perfect for any budding film-makers or painters looking to make their vision a reality. Have you got a great script, but no idea how to film it? Do you need ideas for new aspects of…

Traditional style round tower built 2008/10 to provide nest site for wild barn owls. Inner core re-uses recycled bricks from former lace factory.Displays of Industrial Heritage including old bottles, Ayrshire bricks, local archaeology, geology and…

Vale Grove and Vale View (Beechgrove) Gardens created by the Barrmill Conservation Group, the Barrmill & District community Association and other volunteers, assisted by NAC Ranger Service. Features also include restored Dead Man's planting site…

On footprint of original Cunninghames Bakery. History of site displayed with examples of documents dating from 1835 when Marquess of Bute feued site to Glasgow merchant Gilbert Lennox.

The 18th century Heckling Shed, with its thatched roof, is where Robert Burns learnt the flax trade. Restored in the 1980s and now the place to trace your family tree and learn about the rich heritage of the area. Good collection of Ayrshire…

Sitting at the heart of historic Irvine, this 1862 building is now a cultural and heritage hub hosting art and heritage exhibitions, family and local history resources as well as a beautiful venue for civic events and weddings. View this stunning…

Local children and young people have worked to create an amazing 3D replica of Ayr's High Street.

R S Ingram, 1888, it is the only Church of Scotland congregation left in Darvel. Splendid stained glass by Douglas Strachan and by Moira Parker, and a very fine 1908 Forster & Andrew pipe organ. New hall at the rear was completed in 1998.

Thomas Hamilton, 1827-32, James Sellars, 1878-81. Neo-Classical landmark. High five-staged steeple with channelled columns and pedimented doorway, ornamented with Doric columns, urns and gryphons holding torches. Hall with organ, Council Chamber and…

The Club is a private members club known locally as The Gentleman's Club, and mainly on the first floor. It has been in existence since 1884, and contains many original features including a large stained glass window and one of the finest billiards…

Formerly the 17C Tolbooth. The Clock Tower is part of the original building and the holding cell is still under the 1887 Robert Ingram building. Photographs of former Provosts in Council Chamber and 1696 bell. Stewards from Primary School.

Built in 1739, this was the Council House of the Ancient Burgh of Barony, in use as such until 1898. The bell is engraved 1547. Upstairs housed the Council Chamber with the Tolbooth Jail on the ground floor.

Guided Walk of 18th and 18th century Ayr. Brexit, Banks and the Founding Fathers - From a violinist reputed to be in league with the devil, actions that promted a banking collapse, negotiations between two of America's founding fathers and an…

At the heart of Belleisle Estate lies an 18th century walled garden. In conjunction with Ayrshire College, the Scottish Lime Centre Trust, Morrison Construction and South Ayrshire Council.

Gary Torbett, past president or Hugh Watson of Kilmarnock Historical Society, leads a 90-minute walk round the historic centre of Kilmarnock, taking in the red sandstone Opera House, the impressive brick Johnnie Walker Bond, the stone marking the…

New state of the art community leisure centre opened in April. Deck level, four-lane 25m swimming pool plus two-storey soft play zone, fully equipped fitness and health gym and two studio spaces for fitness classes and community use. See the…

Under the ‘Green Doors’ theme, for the benefit of anyone looking for inspiration to “tread more lightly on the Earth”, the residents of Tradunnock farm house are happy to display and discuss the variety of ways in which they…

Prominent Category B listed cotton mill complex established in 1831 and now on the Buildings at Risk Register. In 1864 Dennyholm Mill took it over for flax spinning. Latterly used for the manufacture of fishing nets and twine by W & J Knox Ltd, some…

Mr and Mrs Dickson lived in an old, draughty property in Beith for over 30 years before deciding to demolish it and rebuild a brand new air-tight and energy efficient home. The property will be 3 years old this October and throughout the project, the…

Boathouse built 1987 to provide crew room, workshop and store, extended 1996 with improved workshop, souvenir sales and galley. All-weather Trent class lifeboat and inshore D class lifeboat serving lower Firth of Clyde.

Neo-Gothic in red sandstone by Hippolyte Blanc dedicated 1895. Stained glass Ascension window by Morris Studio, others by Gordon Webster. Alabaster reredos depicting Moses, St Paul and The Last Supper has a finely carved canopy and stands above a…

Site of locally endowed advanced school designed by James Sellars, opened 1888 and demolished in 1984. The landscaped grounds were laid out by the Earl of Eglinton's head gardener.Since 2010 grounds have been sensitively restored by Friends of Spiers…

New Ayr Campus by RMJM opened 2011 providing state of the art facilities for the teaching of Education, Health, Creative Industries and Land-based Studies. Building shared by UWS and SRUC with shared Library and IT facilities in Riverside location.…

Arts and Crafts sandstone village hall by A N Paterson, 1900. Museum is upstairs (regret no lift). The collection shows the story of local mediaeval castles, farming, weaving, Ayrshire embroidery, and Victorian family life. Over 1,000 photographs of…

13th centuryPele Towerrestored 2001. Many unique features, including original roof beams with carpenters' marks and a fine barrel-vaulted basement. Lived in continuously by Hunter family till 1803. Early 20thcentury restoration work carried out…

?A "culturally unique" building in Scotland's Craft Town, the Barony is a place where creativity inspires! Set within a restored Victorian church, the Centre boasts an impressive exhibition space, a gallery shop offering an eclectic range of work by…

A wonderful opportunity to visit a home where energy saving measures have been retro fitted, and discuss the pros and cons with the occupiers. This property requires no appointment, visitors are welcomed between 10am and 4pm on both Saturday 7 and…

A wonderful opportunity to visit a home where energy saving measures have been retro fitted, and discuss the pros and cons with the occupiers.?This property requires no appointment, visitors are welcomed between 10am and 4pm on both Saturday 3 and…

?External Wall InsulationWould you like to keep warm in winter and lower your fuel bills?Come and see External Wall Insulation (EWI) being installed in a number of properties and view the various stages that take place before completion. As well as…

In June 2015, Irvine Royal Academy had 1,000 Solar Photovoltaic panels installed. These generate electricity for the school to use. The panels form a 250kW system and cover approximately 2,000m2. The system generates 167,000kWh per year and the…

Site of locally endowed advanced school designed by James Sellars, opened 1888 and demolished in 1984. The landscaped grounds were laid out by the Earl of Eglinton's head gardener. Since 2010, grounds sensitively restored by Friends of Spiers/Spiers…

A Lodge about Freemasonry.

Eglinton Country Park covers 400 acres with several miles of beautiful walks, the Englinton Tournament Bridge and the ruins of Eglinton Castle. This weekend take a step back in time with the Rangers as they unlock some of the heritage sites within…

Designed by William Fraser, the cottages were built 1896-98 in red sandstone to provide accommodation and facilities for elderly residents as a living memorial to Robert Burns a hundred years after his death. Buildings were added 1909-10, 1930-1, and…

Opened in 1885 as a convalescent home for textile workers from Paisley, red sandstone, converted 1972 - 75. Now home to a vibrant youth dance group, table tennis club with young Scottish internationalists, youth group, gym, nursery, tai chi, yoga,…

Striking, 2-storey building designed in-house by local authority, 1995-6, with wonderful views of the village and surrounding countryside. Lift, air-conditioning, wifi, computer access and printing. Drop in Osmo fun session and more . . . ?

Here's the perfect opportunity to have all your questions answered about what it's like to live in an energy efficient home!Joe and his wife have a number of renewable technologies along with energy efficiency measures installed in their home.In…

Designed by Robert Ingram and built 1883-5, recently refurbished using traditional materials whilst incorporating updated facilities to provide an arts and entertainment venue for shows, music, comedy club, and meetings, etc. Bust of Keir Hardie by…

Kilmarnock War Memorial was designed by James Miller and opened in 1927. Its walls are covered with the names of local men who fell in the two World Wars, nearly 900 in all. Inside is a bronze figure by David McGill,?The Victor?whose head is bowed in…

John Honeyman, 1893-5, in local warm pink sandstone. Woodwork finely carved by John Crawford. Stained glass by William Guthrie, Stephen Adam and Son, Douglas Strachan, Morris and Co., C E Kempe plus two impressive windows relocated from Greenock and…

Designed by the distinguished Edinburgh architect Hippolyte Blanc, 1894 - 95, Gothic-style and red sandstone with crenellated octagonal tower, on corner site. Stained glass by Guthrie and Wells, and Abbey Studio. Halls at rear in grey sandstone,…

In 2018 the Church celebrates its 90th anniversary and 70 years in the building on Union Street. Many changes have taken place and a series of storyboards have been prepared to capture the flow of history of the church.

Starting from Burns Statue Square (formerly Townhead) discover the history behind the railways, markets, education and care of the poor, hospitals and forgotten philanthropists who made significant impact. The tour will visit Ayr Cemetery, where many…

This popular walk explores the civic, commercial and religious history of the town centre. It will cover the two Civil War leaders, Frederick Douglass and Ulysses S Grant, who separately visited the town and paid homage to Robert Burns. We shall look…

The tour will tell the story of the town and its people using the Auld Kirk as its setting. It has an ecclesiastical history dating back to 1230 when the Blackfriars arrived. These mendicant Friars provide us with a link to the Inquisition of the…

Ruined 15th century castle, medieval church and graveyard, once the site of a Privy Council meeting and rumoured to be haunted by the ghost of William Wallace. Stronghold of the Eglinton clan and destroyed by the Cromwellian forces in mid 1600s.?

Designed by John Bennie Wilson, opened 1902 at a cost of ?5,000. Stained glass by Alexander Walker, 1912-3, Guthrie and Wells 1945, Susan Bradbury 1997, and Moira Malcolm.?Resurrection?window by Roland Mitton unveiled by HRH The Princess Royal, 2002.…

Ayr Ice Rink is run by Ayrshire Curlers Limited to provide curling ice for c. 50 clubs from September to March. Five ice hockey teams are based here and there is year-round members' skating. All clubs welcome youngsters and coaching is provided in…

The church of the Boswell family, designed by James Jamieson, opened in 1839 with later additions of 1893. Refurbished by J & J Carrick 1939 following major fire. Hill Norman Baird organ. Window and Tower dedicated to two ministers who between them…

Cambusdoon Sports Club is situated in historic Alloway, just over the road from the Auld Kirk, and has a heritage of 160 years as Alloway Cricket Club was formed in 1859. These days we offer Cricket, Lawn Bowls and Football to our playing members and…

Guided tours of South Ayrshire Council's Museum Store, where cultural treasures are housed. The collections include textiles, social history, fossils, art, archaeology, natural history and much more. Guided tours last 90 minutes and start at 10 a.m.,…

Recently refurbished category B listed building at the centre of the town. Galston Community Development Trust will host a display of local history and Burnawn Agate in The Portland.

The congregation was established in 1847 to serve English and Irish weavers who worked in the main industry of the town at that time. The small Gothic Revival sandstone church was built 1883 on land gifted by the Cassillis Estate. This is an…

Visit the Robertson Aquarium and Museum, learn about what can be found under the water of the Clyde, learn about the history of marine biology in Millport, take a tour of the aquarium and watch the animals getting fed and try your hand at rock…

The World?s narrowest house, a tiny two-storey dwelling built between two shops. Home base of the Cumbrae Contemporary Poetry Society, a place to sit, converse and write or read poetry. It is the home of Frances and Gandalf the literary cat. Look in…

H E Clifford & Lunan, 1914, opened as United Free Church. Perpendicular Gothic in white sandstone with fine tracery in the great north and nave windows. Interior has blonde Austrian oak pews and fittings. Stained glass chancel window donated in…

In the Arts and Crafts manner, of Mauchline red sandstone. Features oak doors and furniture by Robert Thompson of Kilburn, Norh Yorkshire displaying his distinctive carved mouse trademark. Organ by J J Binns, rebuilt 1987. Fine stained glass by…

Small pretty building housing public conveniences, rescued from NAC closure by West Kilbride Civic Society. Amusingly painted inside and out in an Edwardian seaside theme. Fresh flowers complete a pleasant but necessary visit to the ladies.

The Energy Agency and Home Energy Scotland South West invite you to visit an energy efficient, private home in the heart of Ayr which uses technology of the future. To learn more about the measures and technology that Liz has put into place in her…

Find out about how the Castle stonework is being repaired and access areas that have been closed for some time. Meet at the Visitor Centre in the Country Park to hear about the history of the Castle and its inhabitants. Then join CBC Stone?s Project…

Drop in to view the exhibition of Dean Castle collections of armour and musical instruments at the Dick Institute and get a chance to meet the Dean Castle Restoration Project team. We shall also have one of the collections stores open for you to see…