Ayr's Auld Kirk, dedicated to St John the Baptist was built between 1652 and 1655 on land that had previously belonged to the Franciscan order, the Grey Friars. The Grey Friars came to Ayr around 1472 and were here for almost 100 years before being dissolved in the reformation.
It was built with compensation money received from Oliver Cromwell, paid for the loss of the Church of St John the Baptist which had been turned into a fortress by Parliamentary troops.

The church houses three galleries called the Merchants, Traders and Sailors Lofts. The interior features the original 17th century canopied pulpit, and outside, iron covers can be seen on the graves which were once used to prevent body snatching!

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