Dalmellington Old Kirkyard

Dalmellington Old Kirkyard sits at the heart of the oldest part of the village with the McAdam family mausoleum dominating the scene.

The project was devised directly by the CCLP with Colin MacDonald working as the manager. The intention was to restore the Kirkyard as a social space, in particular to renovate the mausoleum.

Unfortunately this is the one project of the 22 started that is not going to see completion in time. That was not through the fault of any individual but establishing a long term management plan proved problematic.

The contract was right on the point of being awarded when the problem became a barrier.

A condition of funding was that a maintenance plan had to be agreed for the next ten years. The budget was there to cover it but no suitable group could be found to take on the responsibility.

Existing local groups including the Community Council, Parish Development Trust and local history groups however there were objections to the commitment in all cases.

"We looked at forming a Friends of the Kirkyard Society, specifically to take on the obligation but no one was in a position to commit for the whole ten year period. In the end we worked with East Ayrshire Council to tidy up, remove trees that were causing damage and repair walls and gravestones. The mausoleum was opened and surveyed so all of the plaques in-side have been recorded. There was some preservation work done and new locks fitted but there was a limit to what was possible without the full funding in place."

The Kirkyard has great historical significance in addition to being a burial place. Two newer cemeter-ies have replaced that latter function many years ago. This has meant that fewer resources have been directed there and nature had taken over.

The Kirk is long since gone but the place remains popular with villagers. Unfortunately it suffers from vandalism and litter. The secluded nature of this peaceful space that makes it popular with those seeking quiet contemplation also makes it attractive after dark for teenagers to hang out.

A naturally regenerated tree too close to the wall would gradually have knocked it over so it had to be removed. It is clear to see that it had also begun to absorb some of the decorative railings from the adjacent plot.

The McAdam family were local landowners at Craigengillan Estate since 1757. John McAdam was an engineer who took on the estate in that year although it had existed for a considerable time before that. He and his cousin John Loudon McAdam invented the process of mixing gravel with tar to create “Tar McAdam”, a fine surface for road making. The familiar term “tarmac” is a contraction of the name that almost everyone will recognise today.

The family were hugely influential figures who made significant contributions to the industrial revolu-tion right from Ayrshire. Ties between the family and the area have significantly diminished over time.

The rear of the mausoleum was engulfed by a huge Rhododendron bush that blocked the light and weather so much that the back of the building is a different colour to the front. This too was removed to open up light and space while preventing structural damage.

The hope for the future is that the work that has been done already will inspire others to continue. If a suitable group can be found to take over the management responsibility it is still possible that the work can go ahead. Sadly it will not happen within the life of the CCLP project but the plans are all there. Certain local groups and individuals have been inspired to help and the improvements have encouraged more visitors. Increased awareness has proved to be beneficial for the whole community.

The project mapped and recorded the gravestones on the site, including the inscriptions wherever they were legible. There are many fascinating ones and the local history group receive requests every year form people researching their family tree.