We are pleased to announce we have added yet another war memorial to our ‘Stories’ section and this time it is Kilbirnie War Memorial. Unveiled on the 7th of October, 1922, the war memorial in Kilbirnie takes the shape of a large memorial gateway which leads to the public park. At the time of the unveiling, it contained the names …
What’s in the Box? by Honor Mackenzie
The following blog post was kindly written for us by our student volunteer Honor Mackenzie. As a Museum Studies student on work placement at the North Ayrshire Heritage Centre, I have been working behind the scenes alongside my fellow student, to catalogue objects from the collection stores. Although much of this work takes place outwith public view, it plays part of an essential role in preserving and understanding the …
The Final Talk at Haylie Neolithic Tomb
Gordon Black of the Haylie Neolithic Tombsters has been conducting a series of very well received talks at Haylie Neolithic Tomb and the final one takes place on Tuesday, the 12th of May at 10:30am. Meeting at the entrance to Douglas Park (just off of Irvine Street with nearby street parking available) Gordon will inform visitors of the history of …
Beith Bronze Age Shield Returns to Scotland
A bronze age shield is finally returning to Scotland after more than 230 years! Found in 1779 in a peat bog, following an excursion at Luggtonrigge Farm, just outside of Beith, the shield was presented to the Society of Antiquaries of London in 1791 by Dr Ferris (who acquired it from the Estate owner) where it has remained ever since. …
HMS Dasher Memorial Book
Today, the 27th of March, marks the anniversary of the sinking of HMS Dasher, Royal Navy aircraft carrier which exploded and sank between Ardrossan and Arran in 1943, with the lost of 379 men. In our collection is a small memorial book to HMS Dasher which we occasionally have on display in our Heritage Centre. Unfortunately, in order to protect …
Archive of Air Disasters in North Ayrshire and Arran Has Been Added to the Stories Section
We are delighted to announce that the Stories section of the site now has a new section, entitled ‘Air Disasters’, This section includes some of our own stories of air disasters in North Ayrshire, such as the crash of an RAF Liberator on Arran and the crash of Whitley Bomber Z9362 at Saltcoats Harbour. The new section also includes a …
A Series of Talks at Haylie Neolithic Tomb
After a hugely successful talk at Largs Museum, Gordon Black is continuing with a series of on-site talks about Halie Neolithic Tomb! Three talks in March, starting at the entrance to Douglas Park, where Gordon will walk with visitors up to the Neolithic Tomb and tell the story of this fascinating part of North Ayrshire history. The talks are being …
Hugh Drennan – Interview
The following post was kindly submitted to us by Gordon McCreath, who is a keen Ayrshire junior football historian. Hugh Drennan signed for Meadow in season 1954-55. After breaking into the team he helped Meadow win the Western League Cup, the Irvine & District Cup and the Western League Championship, beating Auchinleck Talbot 1-0 after a 4-4 draw in the …
Frigate Goes for Conservation
The Heritage Centre Team said a fond but temporary goodbye to a really special object from our collection yesterday. This gorgeous model ship is sailing off to AOC Archaeology for some conservation work. The frigate, Caledonia, was made by a Mr William Dunlop, who was a member of the congregation of Ardrossan Parish Church in the building that now houses …
The Story of the Sinking of S.S. Blairgowrie is now in the Stories Section
We have added another bit of naval history to our ‘Stories’ section, this time the sad tale of the sinking of S.S. Blairgowrie, which was sunk by a violent hurricane in the North Atlantic on the 27th of February, 1935. Seven of the crew were from North Ayrshire. Four were from Ardrossan, one from Saltcoats, one from Largs and one …