Ayrshire's Mausoleums - Burial Sites of the Landed Gentry

Mausoleums were used mainly by the aristocracy after burials in churches ceased. These tend to house multiple burials, often in vaults. A number were modified sections of old abandoned kirks. The internal monuments could be very large and ornate such as that in the Skelmorlie Aisle, Largs. Many architectural styles were used. Cheaper examples were built onto the churches and some were small, such as the Crawford and Brisbane examples. Some were built by wealthy individuals who were not from the aristocracy such as the Macrae, Dunlop and Nettlehurst mausoleums.