Prestwick & Surrounding
Here are some of the cemeteries in this area.
Old St Nicholas Graveyard, Prestwick
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].
It’s a peaceful spot – just a short wander from the bustle of town – where you can soak up some fresh Ayrshire air and a fair bit of mystery too.
Sources
- GENUKI – Prestwick Old Parish Church Ruins (https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/sct/AYR/MonktonAndPrestwick/PrestwickOldParishChurchRuins)
- Canmore – Prestwick, Kirk Street, Old Parish Church (https://canmore.org.uk/site/41702/prestwick-kirk-street-old-parish-church)
- Visitors Guide to Scotland – Prestwick Old Parish Church (https://www.visitorsguidetoscotland.com/2024/04/prestwick-old-parish-church)
- Ayrshire Scotland – Prestwick (https://www.ayrshirescotland.com/towns/prestwick.html)
Ayr & Surrounding
Adding more!
Ayr
Ayr Cemetery, located just east of the town centre on Holmston Road, opened in 1862 and features a distinctive whitewashed, Tudor-style archway at the entrance—a Category C listed structure. Layout here
Newton Green
Newton Green Cemetery in Ayr, formerly the burial ground for the old parish of Newton, dates back to the 18th century. Tucked beside Weir Road, it contains many historic headstones.
Auld Kirk of Ayr
Ayr Auld Kirk built 1655 stands on a previous 12th century Church of St John, later seized by Oliver Cromwell. The church has connections to the poet Robert Burns whose father frequented the church.
Wallacetown
Wallacetown Cemetery lies just off Whitletts Road (Russell Street) in the Wallacetown district of Ayr. Established in the mid-19th century as a burial ground for the growing weaving community.
Alloway
Alloway Cemetery, centred on the iconic 16th-century Auld Kirk ruins, is nestled along Monument Road in Alloway, Ayr.
St Quivox
St Quivox Churchyard (the parish cemetery at Auchincruive, just north-east of Ayr) dates back to medieval times, with headstones as early as 1657,
