Dunscore Old Kirk

About AD1170 the original place of worship was established by a Norman lord. The land was gifted to the Abbey of Holywood by the Cistercian monks of Melrose. The monks played an important part in developing the area by improving the drainage, growing new crops and by promoting animal husbandry at such places the Friars' Carse grange and elsewhere. In AD1257 the first mention of the church occurs in a monastic dispute, and then again in 1412. Clearly shown on Timothy Pont's map of circa 1600 as 'Kirk of Dunscore', In 1645 it was recorded that the church was so ruinous and its position so peripheral to the parish that it was decided to build a new church at what is now known as Dunscore.

The 1855 OS map shows a rectangular grave yard in the fields off a minor road to the north of Fardingwell Farm. A track runs up to the enclosure and ends at a rectangular area next to the 'Laird of Lag's Tomb'. The site is now enclosed within a well built stone wall. Trees are shown encircling the cemetery in 1855. The largest structure is now the mausoleum of the Ferguson family of the nearby Isle Tower. The dedication inscription reads "In memory of Robert Ferguson of Isle Esq. a most worthy gentleman and warm friend: who died the last heir-male of that antient and respectable family on September XVII MDCCLXVII (AD1767) in the LXIX year of his age. This monument is erected by Mrs. Isobel…