In April 1315, Bruce convened a Parliament of the Scottish nobility at St John's Kirk (of which only this tower survives) to settle the royal succession, naming his brother Edward Bruce as heir presumptive; the same Parliament approved Edward Bruce's expedition to Ireland, launched from Ayr weeks later.
Why this place matters
In April 1315, Bruce convened a Parliament of the Scottish nobility at St John's Kirk (of which only this tower survives) to settle the royal succession, naming his brother Edward Bruce as heir presumptive; the same Parliament approved Edward Bruce's expedition to Ireland, launched from Ayr weeks later.
The story on the ground
The sole surviving fragment of Ayr's medieval parish church, where Bruce convened a Parliament on 26 April 1315 to settle the royal succession (naming Edward Bruce heir presumptive) and approve Edward Bruce's Irish expedition. Established fact. Treat as an exterior/context stop unless a specific open day is confirmed for the itinerary date.
What the evidence supports
Established fact for the Parliament and its content. Only the tower survives of the medieval church; public interior access is infrequent (mainly Doors Open Days) — treat as an exterior/plaque stop unless a specific open day is confirmed.
Before you go
- Citadel Place, Ayr town centre; nearby public car parks
- Interior access typically requires a specific open day (e.g. Doors Open Day) — verify current schedule via stjohnstower.com before promising entry
- Exterior/plaque viewable year-round; interior 'infrequent', per the site's own description.
- St John's Tower, Citadel Place, Ayr KA7 1HG
- Interior access is not guaranteed on a typical visit day — confirm before travel.