Old churches can make stunning houses - and this one is no exception. Situated in the conservation village of Kirkoswald,

12 miles south of Ayr, the former Kirkoswald Free Kirk is a spacious, four bedroom family home set in beautifully landscaped gardens. The setting also has historical significance; directly opposite the house is Souter Johnnie's Cottage, one of the cronies recorded by Burns in Tam O'Shanter, while Burns himself lived in Kirkoswald for a time and went to school in the village.

Built around 1851, the church was converted during the 1970s to form a sizeable house with well proportioned rooms and a flexible layout.

Large arched windows to the front, side and rear echo the property's former use, while inside, the accommodation extends to vestibule, cloaks/WC, open plan lounge and large dining room, sun lounge, living room, large dining kitchen, utility, galleried up per landing, four bedrooms - master with en suite shower room - and bathroom.

Extending the full width of the building, the formal lounge is a large room - more than 27 ft wide - with an arched window, brick fireplace and solid fuel fire, pine ceiling and hardwood finishes. Open plan to the lounge, the dining room is another spacious setting with timber panelling and finishes, including a timber staircase which leads to a gallery landing on the upper floor.

Off the lounge is a large sun room with windows on three side overlooking the gardens and French doors for access. There is also an informal family room with an attractive marble fireplace and living flame gas fire and a timber door for access to the rear garden. Tiled to full height with a pine-clad ceiling, the dining kitchen is well fitted with modern units incorporating an electric oven, hob and extractor. Adjacent to the kitchen - and almost the same size - is a utility room with a quarry tiled floor, good storage space, including a shelved pantry, and a door to the garden.

Off the galleried landing on the first floor, are four bedrooms and a bathroom. The master bedroom has an arched window to the front overlooking the garden, Souter Johnnie's Cottage, and open countryside beyond. With hardwood finishes and double fitted

wardrobes, this is an attractive bedroom with a fully tiled en suite shower room. The three remaining double bedrooms all have fitted wash hand basins - two also have built-in wardrobes.

This distinctive property has

double glazing, oil fired central heating, secluded landscaped gardens and a cedar greenhouse.

Situated just three miles to the north of Turnberry Golf Course, Kirkoswald is a delightful conservation village with a variety of local shops. Troon, Prestwick and Ayr town centre, 12 miles away, are within easy reach via the A77 bypass which joins the M77 to Glasgow.

Offers over #160,000 are invited by Slater Hogg & Howison. Telephone: 01292 286866 for details.