Historic Scotland has asked to open up the Skelmorlie Aisle for the month of October.

If you would like to see the isle this month, you must make an appointment, so that someone can give you a guided tour.

Skelmorlie Aisle was added to the 1200s Largs Parish Church in 1636, on the orders of Sir Robert Montgomerie of Skelmorlie and his wife, Dame Margaret Douglas. It was built as their private place of worship and resting place.

When the body of the church was demolished in the early 1800s, the aisle was spared. Today it stands alone in the graveyard, tucked away behind the shops of the main street of Largs.

The monumental stone tomb in the laird’s loft is carved in the Renaissance style, which began in Italy in the 1400s.

Most of the texts above the cornice are taken from the Geneva Bible, which was popular in Scotland at the time. The painted corbels between bear imaginary arms of the tribes of Israel and the signs of the zodiac.

But it’s the landscape scenes that most draw the eye. The central scenes are allegories, probably referring to Largs’ position between land and sea. The four corner scenes illustrate the four seasons.

Summer, behind and left of the tomb, includes an image of Largs Parish Church before it was pulled down.

To make your appointment please call 07876 311109.