As part of the ‘Auld Kirk and Village Heritage Trail’ project pupils from Primary 6 of New Cumnock Primary School began their research into ten family lairs in the Auld Kirkyard. Class teacher Allison Smith, two parent helpers and twenty-four pupils along with project leader Bobby Guthrie headed along the Castle to the kirkyard.

On our way along the Castle

Up and down the Castehill

Altogether in the Auld Kirkyard

• The pupils were divided into ten teams and each assigned with a Lair Number, a map of the lairs and a record sheet to note names, dates, places and occupations.

Organising research teams

• Having found their lair, and checked it was the correct one, teamwork took over as information was read out and recorded.

• After a much needed snack( in the biting cold wind!) each team in turn shared the information they had recorded with the others teams as we went from lair to lair. Great teamwork again as everyone took a turn and supported each other. Bobby also shared other information he knew about the families.

Sharing our Findings

• Here are the families we researched

Our ten families

Visiting sites

• On the way back to school we noted points of interests associated with the families we selected. Above, we went over the bridge that crossed the mill-lead which run from the Old Mill where the McKnight family. Below, we stopped at the Mural which shows farmers and miners at work, as well as Robert Burns who included a verse in one of his poems about the Reverend James Young .

New Cumnock Mural

• Back to School , where Bobby was back in the same Primary 6 classroom he was in  many years ago, when Mrs MacSween was his teacher!

Back to School

•  You can find more photos of our trip here

WHAT NEXT?

• In early May the class will visit the Burns Monument Centre Kilmarnock to continue our research into the family trees  the our ten families. We’ll keep you posted!