Back in November 2023, Heather Upfield from Kilwinning Heritage, was in correspondence with Bob Farace from Clinton, Connecticut, USA about a painting relating to Kilwinning. In December 2023, she was in correspondence with Brett Hamm from Leduc, Alberta, Canada, about a Kilwinning-made James Blair longcase clock. Both have ancestors in Kilwinning and Dalry, and in the excitement of the post …
Hunterston Castle Has Been Added To The Castles Section
We have now added Hunterston Castle to the ‘Castles‘ section of the website! One of North Ayrshire’s most historic castles, it has been in the ownership of the Hunter family for around 800 years. Originally consisting of a tower, with a moat and rampart, it has changed throughout the centuries to include the attached Hunterston House. To read more about …
Law Castle Has Been Added To The Castles Section
Our ‘Castles‘ section has a new addition: this time we are in West Kilbride, with the pretty Law Castle! Originally built in the 15th century, it was a gift for Princess Mary. Later, it was a ruin and now it is once again occupied after being fully restored. Read more about Law Castle HERE (and enjoy some nice pictures too!)
Lylestone Quarry, Brickworks and Coal Mines – a brief history
This blog post was kindly provided by Chris Hawksworth from Kilwinning Heritage. Check out their website to plan your visit to the Heritage Centre at Kilwinning Abbey Tower. Or why not give them a follow on their Facebook page? John Campbell Brisbane, a gentleman of independant means, died in July 1868. He had inherited the estate of Lylestone from his father, Thomas Brisbane. In his …
Sinking of the Norwegian Brig Lovren
We have now added the remarkable story of the sinking of the Norwegian brig ‘Lovren’ to the ‘Stories’ section of our website. It’s a fascinating story and one well worth a read! A severe hurricane battered Britain on the nights of 21st and 22nd December 1894. Around 7pm on Friday 21st December, the Norwegian Brig Loven, struck the rocky sound …
Beith War Memorial Added to the Stories Section
We have now added Beith War Memorial in the stories section! The memorial was unveiled on the 6th of November, 1920 following a ceremony which featured Aylmer Hunter-Weston. The names of the First World War dead are carved on the eight sides of the pedestal, along with three sides of the top base. The pedestal also contains the inscription “Erected by …
RAF Liberator (AM 261) Crash on the Isle of Arran has Been Added to the Stories Section
On the 10th of August 1941, RAF Liberator (AM 261) crashed into the ridge at Mullach Buidhe, just north of Goatfell on the Isle of Arran with the loss of 22 airmen. The flight crews on board were from the Royal Air Force Ferry Command, Air Transport Auxiliary and the British Overseas Airways Corporation. In addition to the normal flight …
Edward Harold George Dyer Update
On the 22nd of November, 1943, Sergeant Edward Harold George Dyer died while on a bombing raid on Berlin in World War II. The aircraft was likely shot down over the Netherland en-route to the target. You may remember the name of Edward Harold George Dyer from our story on the crash of a Whitley bomber over Saltcoats in 1943. …
Andrew Aitken Has Been Added To The ‘Stories’ Section
Andrew Aitken has now been added to the ‘Stories’ section of our website! Andrew was born in Beith in 1780 and worked on a farm and had a passion for poetry. He didn’t attend school but was taught to read and write by his mother and began dabbling in writing essays and poetry, which were published in periodicals and newspapers. …
Law and Order: The Frew Collection
This blog post was kindly provided by Jeni Park from Kilwinning Heritage. Check out their website to plan your visit to the Heritage Centre at Kilwinning Abbey Tower. Or why not give them a follow on their Facebook page? I am the volunteer Project Manager for the Frew Collection. This is a large collection of archival documents donated to Kilwinning Heritage during the pandemic by …