Loudoun Kirk facts for kids

Loudoun Kirk is an old, ruined church located about one mile west of Loudoun Castle in East Ayrshire, Scotland. For many years, it was the main parish church for the area. After a new church was built in the town of Newmilns around the 1600s, Loudoun Kirk was no longer used regularly and began to fall apart.

However, the story doesn't end there. In 1994, a local group called the Friends Of Loudoun Kirk was formed to protect and preserve this historic site for everyone to appreciate.

History of the Kirk

Loudoun Kirk as it looks today.

A view of the Loudoun Kirk ruins from the south.

Loudoun Kirk is the oldest known place of Christian worship in its area. For a long time, people thought it was built in 1451. But recently, a historian found a letter about the church that was even older. This new evidence suggests the church might have been founded as far back as 1198.

When it was first built, the money the church made was used to support the monks at Kilwinning Abbey. In return, the abbey had to make sure a priest was available to lead services for the local people.

The church was badly damaged in 1527 during a feud between two powerful families, the Campbells and the Kennedys, but it was rebuilt. As more people began living in the nearby town of Newmilns, a small chapel was built there in 1530. Eventually, the Newmilns chapel became the main parish church, and Loudoun Kirk was used less often. Even so, it remained an important burial ground for the community.

In 1898, the Third Marquis of Bute paid for repairs to help preserve the historic building.

The Graveyard's Secrets

The memorial for Lady Flora Hastings and her family inside Loudoun Kirk.

The graveyard at Loudoun Kirk is the final resting place for many important people and local families. Some of the famous people buried here include:

• John Campbell, 1st Earl of Loudoun
• John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun
• Lady Flora Hastings, a lady-in-waiting to Queen Victoria's mother.
• Janet Little, a local poet known as "The Scotch Milkmaid."
• Thomas Fleming, a Covenanter who died in the Battle of Drumclog.

A Story of a Hand

The inscription on the memorial to Lady Flora Hastings and her mother.

One of the most unusual stories from the graveyard involves Francis Rawdon-Hastings, the Marquess of Hastings. When he died at sea in 1826, he had a special request. He asked that his right hand be cut off and buried with his wife, Flora Mure-Campbell. His wish was granted, and today his hand is held in hers inside the family vault.

The Friends of Loudoun Kirk have recorded all the information from the headstones in the graveyard. This information is now available online for anyone interested in learning more about the people buried there.

A Minister in a Time of War

During a period of conflict in Scotland known as the Covenanting times (1638–1688), the minister of Loudoun Kirk was Reverend John Nevoy. He was also the chaplain for the Covenanter army. In 1647, when the army captured Dunaverty fortress, Nevoy urged the soldiers to take harsh action against the defeated Irish garrison.

The Loudoun Kirk Dead Bell

A special bell, known as a "dead bell," was once used at Loudoun Kirk. It was a gift from Holland sent by the 2nd Earl of Loudoun. The bell had "Loudoun Kirk" written on it in raised letters and was rung during funeral processions. As of 1894, this historic bell was still around.

A Thank You from Soldiers

During World War II, Loudoun Castle became a training ground for a special group of soldiers. In 1944, the 5th SAS, a unit of Belgian commandos, was stationed there to prepare for the D-Day landings in France.

Fifty years later, in 1994, some of these soldiers returned to Scotland. To show their thanks for the kindness they received, they gave money to the Friends of Loudoun Kirk. They asked for a plaque to be placed on the church wall. The plaque honors the memory of the Belgian soldiers and thanks the Loudoun Family and the people of Scotland for their friendship and hospitality.

The Lost Village of Loudoun

Next to the old kirk, there used to be a small village called Loudoun. It was home to local miners and their families. After the Second World War, the cottages in the village fell into disrepair. The homes had no modern services like gas or electricity.

The residents were moved to new houses in the nearby town of Galston, and the village was abandoned. Today, you can still see the foundations of the old cottages in the fields near the church.

Learn More

• Bobby Young, F.O.L.K., 1995
• Friends Of Loudoun Kirk