Hi everyone, welcome to our site.

I was born in Rankinston, brought up in Ayr and have lived in the "Valley" since 1975 - I'm still an incomer! I have family roots covering coal mining, corn milling, farming, engineering etc. If anyone wants to know why a south Ayrshire lassie got involved in a Loudoun parish project - ask my daughter!

My interest is in family history and I have been working on the history of the people buried in Loudoun Kirkyard. Of course it doesn't end there because not everyone was born, married or died in Loudoun parish. The people buried, or connected families came from as far afield as Cornwall and we are still finding many surprises. We have already completed a grave survey of all the visible headstones and since then, two very ornate memorials were destroyed by a fallen tree and one of our two known "trade" stones was stolen. So it is important that preserve as much history of the area as we can.

We are looking for not only details of family history for Loudoun Kirk but the family stories which have been passed down over the years - whether true, not too sure or just plain myth. This is an opportunity for anyone wishing to contribute and put their family firmly on the Loudoun map. I am also willing to help with any family history queries, if I can.