Barnweill Church

Barnweill Church is the ruined remains of a stone building that once served as a parish place of worship, located on sloping ground with walls and other structural features still partially visible. Connected to the building is a burial ground containing gravestones, some dating back to the 1600s.

The church functioned as a parish building until 1689, when its religious role was transferred to a newly established parish elsewhere. The burial ground, however, continued to be used for many decades afterward, showing how the site remained important to the local community.

The graveyard holds tombstones dating back centuries, bearing names of families who lived in the area for generations. Walking among them, you can read the stories of ordinary people who were buried here over a long stretch of time.

The site is open and easy to visit on foot, though there are few facilities or shelter from the weather. Wear sturdy footwear as the ground is uneven and can be wet or muddy, especially after rain.

The burial ground remained active until the 1960s, making it one of Scotland's longest-functioning cemeteries linked to a church that had been closed for centuries. This extended use shows how local families continued to regard this spot as their place of rest long after the building stopped serving religious purposes.

Location: South Ayrshire

Location: Craigie

Part of: Presbytery of Ayr

GPS coordinates: 55.53672,-4.52894

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:21