Archaeology Notes

Event ID 699577

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/699577

NS24SW 3 NS 23294 42421

(NS 2329 4241) Church (NR)

(remains of)

OS 6" map (1971).

Ardrossan church originally stood within its churchyard on Castle Hill; it foundations are still visible. It was blown down by a violent storm in 1691, when it was replaced by the church described on NS24SW 6.

In it were altars to St Peter and the Virgin Mary. It was excavated in 1912, when it was shown to be a long, oblong building , its chancel of the same width as the nave, above which it was raised by three low steps, placed at wide intervals. Considerable areas of stone paving remained. A stone coffin, with a carved lid, was found within the church, near the N wall. It was removed to the vestibule of the Municipal Buildings. A 13th century date is suggested for it.

NSA 1845 (J Bryce); T Ross 1913; H Scott 1950.

The foundations of this church can be traced, measuring 19.5 by 7.8m. The grass-covered floor lies 0.5m below the top of the wall, which is 0.2m high externally and 0.9m broad. The masonry is of ashlar. There appear to be two entrances in the S wall, each having a step leading down in to the interior. There are also two small breaks in the N wall; their purpose could not be ascertained as they seemed too narrow for doorways.

The churchyard wall has been removed and the whole area is an open park. A few gravestones still exist, one dated 1662 and some of 18th century date.

Resurveyed at 1:2500.

Visited by OS (JLD), 7 September 1956

No change to the previous report. The stone coffin is now displayed in the North Ayrshire Museum, Saltcoats, together with leather fragments of a possible sandal said to have been found within the coffin. (No accession or catalogue numbers).

Visited by OS (JRL), 13 October 1982.