Tucked just behind the railway line in the heart of Prestwick lies the old St Nicholas Church – one of the town’s oldest and most atmospheric spots. Built in the 1100s, it’s stood through centuries of change, from medieval monks to Reformation ministers and even the odd whisper of the Knights Templar [1].

Though its roof was taken off in 1837, the stone walls were left standing on purpose – a nod to its importance in local history [2]. The graveyard around it is full of character, with stones marking the resting places of Covenanters, town provosts, and possibly a Templar knight, marked by a Maltese cross [3].

Even the name Prestwick hints at its holy roots – it comes from “Priest’s Place”, and folk believe the area’s Christian story stretches all the way back to the 7th or 8th century [4].