For each parish of Ayrshire, a short description of the Etymology, Extent, History (Civil and Ecclesiastical), and Antiquities (where appropriate), is followed by notes on the principal families of the parish.

This volume was originally published in two parts, and contains the Parishes of Ardrossan, Beith, Dalry, Dreghorn, Dunlop, Fenwick, Irvine, Kilbirnie, Kilbride, Kilmarnock, Kilmaurs, Kilwinning, Largs, Loudoun, Stevenston, and Stewarton.