In Person

2024 Theme

Ayrshire

Ardrossan Castle

14 September 2024

15 September 2024

First recorded in 1149, the ruins of Ardrossan Castle sit atop Ardrossan Castlehill, an elevated rocky outcrop with wide panoramic views of the Firth of Clyde. Ardrossan Castle is one of the oldest castles in Scotland, with links to William Wallace, Oliver Cromwell, and the Declaration of Arbroath. Ardrossan’s First Parish Church is located nearby on Castlehill - a large managed parkland with public walkways, viewpoints, picnic benches, and recently renovated children’s playpark

In Person

Ayrshire

Auchinleck House

31 August 2024

1 September 2024

Built c.1760 by Lord Auchinleck, and inherited by his son James Boswell, biographer of Dr Johnson. Johnson visited the house in 1773. It is a fine example of an 18th century country villa. Classical design strongly influenced by Adam. Fine pediment with elaborate detail and quote from Horace about the contentment to be found in country life. Saved by the Scottish Building Preservation Trust. Restoration completed by the Landmark Trust with splendid plaster-work and period furniture.

In Person

Ayrshire

Auld Kirk of Ayr

14 September 2024

Theophilus Rankine 1654. Successor church to mediaeval St John's (at Bruce Crescent). Cromwellian Government contributed 1,000 merks towards the cost of building the new church. Family church of Robert Burns, whose father was an elder. Fine interior with original pulpit, stained glass and three notable lofts.

In Person

Ayrshire

Ayr Town Hall

14 September 2024

15 September 2024

Visit the Category A-Listed Ayr Town Hall, built in 1827 and designed by Thomas Hamilton.

In Person

Ayrshire

Beith Auld Kirk and Kirkyard

14 September 2024

15 September 2024

On site of original parish church. A church was built c.1590 with later 18th century extensions. The 1590 church was demolished in 1810-11 when a new church was built up the hill. Part of the 18th century extensions and belfry were retained with the burial ground, which contains some original gravestones. Plaque marks links with Rev John Witherspoon, a signatory to the US Declaration of Independence and parish minister in 1745-57.

In Person

Ayrshire

Beith Townhouse

14 September 2024

15 September 2024

Classic Georgian building with attractive belfry, funded by public subscriptions and opened 1817 to replace earlier building. Ground floor reopened by Beith Cultural and Heritage Society April 2011 as an Information and Heritage Centre.

In Person

2024 Theme

Ayrshire

Clyde Coast & Garnock Valley Crematorium

14 September 2024

The award winning Clyde Coast & Garnock Valley Crematorium sits within the natural beauty of Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park and serves the communities of North Ayrshire, including the islands of Arran, Cumbrae, Bute and Dunoon.

In Person

Ayrshire

Dundonald Parish Church

15 September 2024

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.

In Person

Ayrshire

Dunlop Kirk

15 September 2024

On an impressive site at the end of Main Street, a category-B listed building of 1835 incorporating earlier work from 1621. Outstanding stained glass windows, unusual in a rural village. Two important Category-A listed buildings adjacent: the Clandeyboye Hall (formerly village school) built to honour Hans Hamilton by one of his sons, Viscount Clandeyboye and one of Ayrshire’s Aisles, the 17th century tomb of Hans Hamilton, Dunlop’s first post-Reformation minister.

In Person

Ayrshire

Eglinton Country Park

14 September 2024

Eglinton Country Park sits within the grounds of the old Eglinton Estate, historical home of the Montgomerie family. It opened, with Country Park status, in 1986, and has a fascinating history, both natural and cultural, within its grounds. It’s many distinctive landmarks are key features in the local landscape and surrounding communities.