Scottish Archaeology month events - North Ayrshire region

Scottish Archaeology Month events for the North Ayrshire region.

A round up of Scottish Archaeology Month events for the North Ayrshire region.

Auld Kirk of Ayr, 1 September

Successor church to medieval St John's (at Bruce Crescent), funded partly by one thousand merks to assist in building the new kirk to succeed original relinquished by Cromwellian army of occupation. Family church of Robert Burns, whose father was an elder. Fine interior with original pulpit, stained glass and three notable lofts. Architect: Theophilus Rankeine; Building Date: 1654; Sunday Service 11.00. Wheelchair access, ground floor only.

Tower of St Johns, 2 September

Remaining part of the original parish church of Ayr. The church, in its time the largest in Ayrshire, was cruciform in shape and the tower was perhaps added in the 14C. In 1315 Robert the Bruce convened the Scottish Parliament in the church. Restored by J K Hunter for the 3rd Marquess of Bute in 1913-1914. A landmark to seamen, it offers magnificent panoramic views. Building Date: c.1300

Traditional building skills, 2 September

Following on from last year's highly successful workshops, local mason Andrew Brown will take a small number of participants through a full day workshop on the practicalities of taking out and repointing a garden wall, using traditional lime mortar and techniques.
Each participant will have the opportunity to repoint a section of wall during the workshop. Booking: contact the THI Project Support on 01292 617606 or send an email. Bookings will be taken on a first come, first served basis.

Kilwinning Abbey Tower Heritage Centre, 2 September

David Hamilton replaced the NW tower of the 12th century Tironensian Kilwinning Abbey in 1816 after it had been struck by lightning in 1809. The Heritage Centre has displays on the Abbey , the Tower, Robert Burns, Robert Service and local history. Census records, matchstick models, clock mechanism and bells to view.  Access to top of Tower possible for magnificent views. Architect: David Hamilton. Building Date: 1816. Exhibition and guided tour. French, German and Spanish translations available for history of Abbey and Tower.

Portencross Castle, 1 and 2 September

Built by Robert Boyd c.1360, and extended to form a tower with five-storey wing.  Robert II frequent visitor, signed charters here.  Semi-ruinous, but major conservation project 2010 allows access to the interior, including Great Hall with original vaulted ceiling and to the roof for spectacular views. Architect: Robert Boyd. Building Date: c. 1360. Regret wheelchair access limited to ground floor cellar.

Kirkoswald Old Kirkyard, 2 September

Old church c.1230 is a ruin. It is reputed to have been built on the site of a church built by Oswald, King of Northumbria. It contains an old font from Crossraguel Abbey said to be the one in which Robert the Bruce was baptised. Graves of many of Burns’ family are marked, and many of the characters from Tam o’ Shanter. Building Date: MedievalTours. Please park at Parish Church. Refreshments available.

For the full Scottish Archaeology Month programme, visit the Scottish Archaeology Month website.

For all the latest Scottish archaeology news and Scottish archaeology events, see each issue of History Scotland magazine.

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