Skelmorlie Aisle facts for kids
The Skelmorlie Aisle is what's left of an old church, called Largs Old Kirk, in the town of Largs, Ayrshire, Scotland. It is famous for its amazing painted ceiling and a fancy tomb inside.
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History of the Aisle
The main part of the Largs Old kirk (the Scottish word for church) was torn down in 1802. This was because a new church was built for the town. However, one special section, called an aisle, was saved. This aisle was kept because it held a family's burial place, known as a mausoleum.
The Grand Montgomerie Tomb
The most important feature inside the aisle is a beautiful monument. It was built by a wealthy local landowner named Sir Robert Montgomerie of Skelmorlie Castle. He had it built in 1636 as a final resting place for himself and his wife, Dame Margaret Douglas.
The tomb is a stunning example of Renaissance art, a style that was popular in Europe from the 14th to the 17th century. It has a fancy canopy over the entrance to the burial vault below.
Inside the tomb, there are three coffins. Two belong to Sir Robert and his wife. The third is believed to hold Sir Hugh Montgomerie of Eaglesham. He was a famous hero from the Battle of Otterburn in 1388.
A strange story is told about Sir Robert's coffin. It is very long, and a lot of the lead on the bottom is gone. People say that local fishermen took the lead. They believed that using it to make weights for their fishing nets would bring them good luck and a big catch.
The Amazing Painted Ceiling
Look up in the aisle, and you'll see a fantastic wooden ceiling covered in paintings. This type of art is known as a Scottish Renaissance painted ceiling. It was painted in 1638 by an artist named J. Stalker.
The ceiling is decorated with many different pictures inside panels. Some paintings show scenes of the four seasons. Others show signs of the Zodiac, like Leo the lion or Taurus the bull.
You can also see the family coat of arms for both the Montgomerie and Douglas families. A coat of arms is a special design used to represent a family. Interestingly, the Montgomerie coat of arms is painted incorrectly, like a mirror image of what it should be.
How to Visit the Aisle
Today, the Skelmorlie Aisle is cared for by Historic Environment Scotland, an organization that protects Scotland's historic sites.
It is free to visit, but you need a guide from the Largs Museum next door to show you around. The museum and the aisle are usually open from Easter until late September. You can visit on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in the afternoon.
See also
- Brisbane Aisle
- The Queensberry Aisle
- Glencairn Aisle
- Skelmorlie Castle
