The burning place

[Meg]

I am at Crosshouse School today and have come across two threetowners ladies, one of the ladies remembers at the old Kirkgate in Saltcoats, on one of the walls was a stone which had "the burning place" inscribed. Does anyone know what this burning place was?

Meg

[wellparkno9]

Hi, was it where they burnt witches? Sam.

[brvhrtjimmy]

on the kirkate wall right hand side as your walk up towards manse street, there is a plaque on the wall ,it was the site where they burnt the witches, i went to get a photo of it but didnt bother as the inscription has all but gone,you cant read anything on it,but i have been reliably informed it was the site of the witch burning. think there was a couple of mother in laws also
James Barr (brvhrtjimmy)

[Meg]

We thought that might be the case! Any ideas how long ago that was?

Meg

[Mac]

Sarah Vincent was the last witch to be executed in Saltcoats! She was buried at Kirkgate in the 17th Century. Her headstone reads: The Burning Place of Sarah Vincent of Saltcoats. It has been worn away by the weather, but the word ‘Saltcoats’ can still be seen.
(extract from Town trail (for primary schools) (see para 4.)

There is a photo here

[morag]

When I think of the 'special places in Hell' for those who commit especially grievous crimes I come to the conclusion Hell must be huge...being burned alive is surely the most awful death?

[Meg]

Sarah Vincent was the last witch to be executed in Saltcoats! She was buried at Kirkgate in the 17th Century. Her headstone reads: The Burning Place of Sarah Vincent of Saltcoats. It has been worn away by the weather, but the word ‘Saltcoats’ can still be seen.
(extract from Town trail (for primary schools) (see para 4.)

There is a photo here

YOU ARE A STAR!!!! Thanks Mac

Meg

[Nancie]

I always thought it was a witch burning place but someone told me it was where they burned the cholera bodies

[Sarah]

Would feel a lot happier with that Nancy than the other..

[Hughie]

Hi Nancie, welcome to threetowners. I can't recall seeing it mentioned that Cholera victims were burned anywhere in the three towns. There is a mass grave for Cholera victims and it's in Stevenston's New Street Cemetery. See Here

[brian f]

Often the bodies of cholera victims were wrapped in cotton or linen and doused in coal-tar or pitch before placing into a coffin. Each burial was in a pit 8 ft deep and liberally sprinkled with quicklime.[3] The bodies were sometimes burnt before interment.[4]

Cholera pit - Wikipedia

[Nancie]

Is there a fund to get the burning place restored? So much history in Saltcoats and it's all being lost.