This is one for the golfers out there! Officially opened in 1905, Ardeer Golf Club, the 18 hole golf course replaced the previous one that had been opened in 1880. The new clubhouse had 2 club rooms, one for the ladies and one for the gentlemen, and was designed by architect Hugh Thomson. To read more about the club, click …
Read About the History of Main Street, Stevenston
We have a new article in our ‘Stories’ section which documents the history of Main Street in Stevenston, from the end of the 1880’s to the 1970’s through photographs. If you are from the area or have an interest in the development of North Ayrshire towns this is a must-read piece!
Back Doon the Watter Exhibition is Now On!
Our new exhibition, ‘Back Doon the Watter’ is now on at our Heritage Centre in Saltcoats! Featuring a photography exhibition by Mandy Edwards and a wide variety of objects and digital content, this exhibition is a must visit if you love the history of holidaying on the west coast! The exhibition runs from September until November at the Heritage Centre …
1970 Ian’s Cracking Performance
The following post was kindly submitted to us by Gordon McCreath, who is a keen Ayrshire junior football historian. I’ve often heard the Ayrshire Regional League Cup being referred to as a competition that “didnae maitter onyway” … usually after the Medda has been unexpectedly knocked out of it. To be fair it was never one of the high prestige …
John Caldwell has Been Added to the Stories Section
John Caldwell, born in Beith in 1873, served as a postman for 46 years and was the first postman in Scotland to use a bicycle to deliver letters. He has now been added to the ‘Stories’ section of the website where you can read more about this long-serving postie!
James Morrison the First Provost of Stevenston has Been Added to the Stories Section
James Morrison was elected as the first Provost of Stevenston in 1952 at the age of 92! He has now been added to the ‘Stories’ section of our website for you to learn all about this fascinating man. In 1870 James left school to start his apprenticeship as a baker, after which he was employed as a foreman in a …
George Wall: Johnny McIntyre put me to left-back
The following post was kindly submitted to us by Gordon McCreath, who is a keen Ayrshire junior football historian. George Wall began his Junior career at Dalry Thistle, playing alongside a young Jim Leighton, who went on to win 91 Scottish international caps during his career with, amongst others, Aberdeen, Manchester United and Hibs. At the other end of his …
Hugh Hogarth has Been Added to the Stories Section
We have added another new story to our ‘Stories’ section and this time it is about Hugh Hogarth, who founded the Baron Line. Born in 1840, Hugh Hogarth became a wealthy shipping shipping magnate who played an active role in the affairs of Ardrossan itself. In 1881 the Hogarth family were living at Clutha Villa, Montgomerie Street, Ardrossan. Interestingly the …
A History of Marymass
Marymass 2024 is now in the past but the history of the event goes back much, much further with origins in the 9th century! The first queen was Martha McHarg, who was crowned in front of Irvine Townhouse in 1928. Irvine Town Council and Carters Society suggested including children in Marymass and proposed ‘a Marymass Queen’, with the first Queen, …
Robert Smallwood – Re-united with his Past
The following post was kindly submitted to us by Gordon McCreath, who is a keen Ayrshire junior football historian. The wide-eyed 12-year-old Meadow fan reached his hands up as Bobby Carroll held out his trophy for the schoolboy to hold. It was the morning of the 1959 Scottish Junior Cup final and the players were having a pre-match breakfast with …