Kilmaronock Kirk

In West Dunbartonshire there’s a historical building you may not have heard of - Kilmaronock Kirk, just outside Gartocharn.

The church, built in 1813, was recently purchased by Kilmarnock Old Kirk Trust, made up of local people and is now a heritage centre and events venue.

When I first visited, I used my own ramp to get in.  It has now been transformed and everyone enters via a flat surface.

All the pews were removed but the pulpit remains for services, funerals and weddings.

There are information walls about the Kirk’s history and photos from the village. 

One of the most well-known people who lived in Gartocharn was climber, author and presenter Tom Weir. There’s a photo from the 1960’s when Tom took his Sherpa friend to meet some local school children.

I can’t access the upstairs area at the moment; there is no lift. I heard, upstairs you can listen to local people telling their stories. It is hoped the lift will be installed by the end of May 2026.  

The volunteers are very welcoming.  There are church open days every Wednesday 10.30am – 2.30pm where you can have a guided tour of the graveyards, research your family tree and get a cup of tea.