Sunday 26 April 2015

Alloway Auld Kirk

Visited the Auld Kirk in Alloway yesterday - an amazing place.  The parents of the Scottish poet Robert Burns - William Burns and Agnes Brown - are buried here.



Alloway Kirk takes centre stage in Burns' famous poem Tam O'Shanter published in 1791 as the meeting place of the devil "Auld Nick" and various ghosts -


Warlocks and witches in a dance; 
Nae cotillion brent-new frae France, 
But hornpipes, jigs strathspeys, and reels, 
Put life and mettle in their heels. 
A winnock-bunker in the east, 
There sat auld Nick, in shape o' beast; 
A towzie tyke, black, grim, and large, 
To gie them music was his charge: 
He scre'd the pipes and gart them skirl, 
Till roof and rafters a' did dirl.-- 
Coffins stood round, like open presses, 
That shaw'd the dead in their last dresses; 



The church dates back to the sixteenth century with some parts from even earlier.  The building fell into disuse when the congregation moved to a new church.


There are some very decorative grave stones in the kirkyard.


It was a very interesting place to visit.  Joining with InSPIREd Sunday - come along and see some more interesting churches.
Love, Liz

15 comments:

Gosia said...

I have his poems during my studies . Greetings from Poland

Tom said...

The sign starts this lovely post, a shame the church lost its roof, followed by the intricate detail on the grave stones. A wonderful tour. Thanks Tom The Backroads Traveller

Elizabeth Edwards said...

i enjoy the ruins ... i wonder what it did look like during it's hayday? have a lovely weekend. ( :

Bonny Bonafilla said...

What a charming little place. How fascinating to make the connection with Robbie Burns. The tombstones look amazing. Great photos. All the best and thanks for sharing, Bonny

Jackie McGuinness said...

I especially love the grave stones.

Riitta Sinikka said...

♥♥♥

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

Beautiful pictures. What an amazing place with so much history.

Uniquely Ella said...

What a beautiful place, love all the pictures. So much history.
Blessings,
Marlene

Unknown said...

I love old grave markers, they can be so beautiful and interesting. :)

ellen b. said...

Wow! This Kirk has such interesting history. Love the bell!

Terra said...

I love the idea of visiting the Kirk and cemetery and those handsome grave stones. Sad to see the Kirk has no roof.

mamasmercantile said...

Such a shame its been left, when there is so much history and a wonderful link to such an amazing poet. A beautiful Kirk.

VioletSky said...

What a wonderful sign. I enjoy walking around old cemeteries, and this one would also be a pleasure to explore.

DD's Cottage said...

Sounds like a great day and many interesting things to see!

Billy Blue Eyes said...

I love the Scottish Kerks and Kerkcards , the only one I have visited is the Hoff in Dundee. Really must go back to Scotland and visit some. That one looks a beauty to look round
http://graveplace.blogspot.co.uk/