The Haylie Neolithic Chambered Cairn in Largs is looking great. When I first arrived in Largs some four years ago it was in a sad state: overgrown, fence down and no interpretation board (there had been one but it had rotted away). What I didn’t know was that local historical enthusiast Richard Topping was on the case. And through his …
1989-90 – Meadow are Best in the West
The following post was kindly submitted to us by Gordon McCreath, who is a keen Ayrshire junior football historian. When Irvine Meadow ran out at Newlandsfield Park in front of a crowd of 1,100 on a sunny Wednesday evening in 1990, they were looking to win the West of Scotland Cup for the seventh time. There had been a gap …
Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin Visits Ayrshire
On the 11th of February 1967, Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin visited the UK and his trip included a 14 hour visit to Scotland. In this trip he visited Glasgow, had a tour of Hunterston Power Plant in North Ayrshire, visited Troon to have lunch at the Marine Hotel and watched Kilmarnock v Rangers at Rugby Park. Prior to kick-off, Kosygin presented the captains of …
Davy McDougall
The following post was kindly submitted to us by Gordon McCreath, who is a keen Ayrshire junior football historian. Davy McDougall only played one season for Irvine Meadow XI before setting off on a remarkable footballing journey, which took him all round the United Kingdom. He signed up in 1898 and played at outside left when Meadow beat Newmilns 4-0 …
Haylie Neolithic Tomb Talk at Largs Museum
On the 24th of February at 2pm (it was previously scheduled for 7pm but has been changed) Gordon Black of the Haylie Neoltihic Tombsters is presenting a talk on the history of the tomb at Largs Museum. The talk will last around an hour and there will be time for questions to be asked also. Entry is by donation. This …
50 New Stories Have Been Added to the ‘Stories’ Section
As a Christmas present to our readers, we added 50 new stories to the ‘Stories‘ section of our website, from all around North Ayrshire and on a huge variety of topics! From the history of the Cumbrae War Memorial and West Kilbride Village Hall, to tales of the 1913 Strike at Nobel’s Factory and the Storm of 1912. Perhaps you’d …
Joe Cassidy Interview – “I Once Stopped 3 Penalties”
The following post was kindly submitted to us by Gordon McCreath, who is a keen Ayrshire junior football historian. Joe Cassidy was a fine goalkeeper who later became a local businessman. He joined Meadow in 1965-66 and played so impressively that he was capped for Junior Scotland against Ireland in 1968. Readers who don’t know Joe as a footballer may …
The 1880 Lifeboat Rescue of the Matilda Hillyards is Now in the Stories Section
Yet another story has been added to our ‘Stories’ section and it is a daring tale from the sea’s at Ardrossan! In 1880, the barque ‘Matilda Hillyards’ departed Ardrossan Harbour en-route for Yarmouth. 4 miles outside of the Harbour, the ship was caught in a violent storm and sent out a signal requesting assistance. The Ardrossan Lifeboat crew was called …
Johnny McIntyre – “Captain Courageous”
The following post was kindly submitted to us by Gordon McCreath, who is a keen Ayrshire junior football historian. Johnny McIntyre, who passed away on Saturday, 24th January 2015, was one of the most successful players ever to pull a Medda jersey over his head. He featured in three of Irvine Meadow’s Scottish Junior Cup finals; two as a player, …
Heritage Centre Closed Until 2026
Our Heritage Centre is currently closed as we get our windows replaced and some other essential maintenance works completed. We had hoped to re-open before Christmas but the Heritage Centre will now not reopen until 2026. We will still be active here on our website and on our Facebook page. Keep an eye on for updates on when we will …