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 …
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. …
HMS Dasher Memorial Book
Another object featured in our New and Unusual exhibition comes in to the category of favourite objects. It’s a memorial book with all the names of the crew who perished when HMS Dasher sank in 1943. HMS Dasher was a British Royal Navy aircraft carrier of the Avenger Class. She served in World War II. She was built by the …
World War I and Three Kilwinning Men
An Unsung Hero 53465 Sgt. Peter Edwards whose address was given as c/o Boyd, Corsehill Head, Kilwinning enlisted in the Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery on 1st December 1908 at the age of 17. He became a Physical Instructor and by the outbreak of war in 1914 he had been promoted to Sergeant. He served throughout WW1 and was …
New and Unusual Exhibition Now on Display
Our latest exhibition is now on display at our North Ayrshire Heritage Centre in Saltcoats and it’s all about our own collection! Featuring a huge variety of objects from our own collections, the exhibition also features interviews with us, the staff, on what our favourite objects are! The exhibition is running into 2024 but we will be changing bits and …
Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Z9362 Crash at Saltcoats
One of the lesser-known local stories of World War II in North Ayrshire is the crash of a Whitley bomber, which crashed into the sea 2 miles off from Saltcoats harbour in 1943, with the loss of 3 lives. The crew of Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Z9362 of 24 Operational Training Unit were being prepared for active service. They were tasked …