Laigh Kirk
Kilmarnock, Strathclyde
New Laigh Kirk has many unique features and attracts visitors, the stained glass windows are of national importance and there are links to Robert Burns and to the Covenanters.
This 'central planning' occurs frequently in the Presbyterian style of worship in Scotland, although the traditonal east/west orientation of churches means that the building does not sit neatly within its square walled graveyard.
Here are a number of martyr graves and monuments from 1685, including the battle flag of the Fenwick Covenanters. The Covenanters were a powerful Presbytarian group committed to making their doctrine the only religion of Scotland.
nevitably there were casualties of this civil war. In 1828 small 'sentry boxes' were built at the entrance to the churchyard for the elders of the church to take collections from the congregation as they passed.
Walk around the exterior to see the traditional outside stairs giving access to galleries. There are also crowstepped gables, and 'jougs', an iron collar used to detain offenders, set into the south wall.