The legendary paddle steamer PS Waverley is now in the Stories section of our website! You can learn all about the history of the PS Waverley, from it’s launch on the 2nd of October, 1946 to it being withdrawn from service in 1973 and ultimately sold to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society for £1. The text, paintings, photos, programmes and …
The Witchcraft Trials in North Ayrshire
We are delighted to announce the addition of a wonderful piece of individual research relating to the whole of North Ayrshire has been added to the ‘Stories’ section of our website. ‘The Witchcraft Trials in North Ayrshire‘ is the latest submission to NA Heritage by regular contributor Heather Upfield. This well-researched piece incudes details of the victims of the witchcraft …
What Are The Odds?
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 …
What It Means To Be A Volunteer At The Heritage Centre In Saltcoats
The following blog post was written by our volunteer, Frances, who gives her time at our North Ayrshire Heritage Centre in Saltcoats. I retired from my job in social work, it could be sometimes difficult and emotional working with the public and families in traumatic circumstances, but on occasions it was hugely rewarding when the outcomes were good. I had …
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. …
Kilwinning Across The Pond
Back in February 2021, during the dark days of lockdown, Heather Upfield, from Kilwinning, was looking for something to do, to while away the hours. She decided to search for any other Kilwinning sites outwith Scotland and was surprised to find four Kilwinning mentions in the Americas! Here’s Heather’s account of her discoveries. Provinces of Canada and States of United …