South Ayrshire Council

Work Due Starts At Alloway Auld Kirk And Graveyard

Alloway Auld Kirk and graveyard are currently closed for Conservation and Repair work. The restoration and repairs are being carried out prior to the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns’ birth, which has been designated as the ‘Year of the Homecoming’ in 2009.

South Ayrshire Council in association with ARP Lorimer and Associates are working to secure the long term future of both the Auld Kirk and its associated graveyard. The work is being partially funded by the Council, Historic Scotland, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Enterprise Ayrshire.

During 2003 the bellcote and bell were removed due to concerns over their structural stability. As part of the current programme of conservation work the bellcote will be rebuilt and the bell reinstated.

Other works will include:

Removing vegetation from the wall heads of the Kirk and making sure they are safe.
Stabilising movement cracks within the Auld Kirk and providing secure access to each of the chambers of the building.
Refurbishing the entrance area to the graveyard to provide safer access.
Stabilising a number of unsafe headstones.
Cleaning and regilding of the headstone of William Burns, Robert Burns’ father.
Stabilising the boundary wall to secure its long-term stability.

New interpretative signboards to will assist people to understand the historic features of the Auld Kirk and the graveyard are also being installed.

It is anticipated that the conservation and repair work will be complete by Spring 2008, when the graveyard will once again open to the public.

July 2007