Alloway Old Kirk
The ruined church closely related to
Robert Burns, his family and his poetry.
Robert Burns, his family and his poetry.
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All images are © 400photos.uk
All images are © 400photos.uk
The Old Kirk in Alloway, just across the road from the current parish church and few yards
from the Burns Museum and Brig o'Doon is a 16th century ruin.
Prominent by the entrance is the grave of Robert Burns' father (fenced off and with a suitable plaque) and many other graves are similarly identified.
This was the (ruined even then) church in the poem Tam o'Shanter where the hero looks in a window of the church to see witches and warlocks having a party. (Burns expressed it differently. And better.)
Also of interest are the graves protected by steel bars, a temporary solution used in the 19th century to deter body-snatchers (Resurrection Men) from stealing fresh corpses for medical research. A precaution that's now, thankfully, not needed.
The kirk is in the care of the National Trust for Scotland(?), entry is free but disabled access is limited. As you can see clearly in the second picture there are steps up into the church yard from street level.
Prominent by the entrance is the grave of Robert Burns' father (fenced off and with a suitable plaque) and many other graves are similarly identified.
This was the (ruined even then) church in the poem Tam o'Shanter where the hero looks in a window of the church to see witches and warlocks having a party. (Burns expressed it differently. And better.)
Also of interest are the graves protected by steel bars, a temporary solution used in the 19th century to deter body-snatchers (Resurrection Men) from stealing fresh corpses for medical research. A precaution that's now, thankfully, not needed.
The kirk is in the care of the National Trust for Scotland(?), entry is free but disabled access is limited. As you can see clearly in the second picture there are steps up into the church yard from street level.
