Our latest exhibition ‘Song of the River Steamers‘ is well underway and we are still finding gems in the collection of Charles Glen! While going through the wealth of resources and research of Charles Glen we’ve found this advertisement for a Health and Pleasure Cruise aboard the Duchess of Argyll in 1938. We do think it looks like great fun, …
New and Unusual Exhibition Finished
Our exhibition ‘New and Unusual‘ has now officially ended and we are in the process of installing our new exhibition ‘Song of the Clyde River Steamers’ featuring artworks by Charles Glen, which document the history of steamers on the Clyde. We are still in the change-over phase but feel free to pop in and see the new exhibition take shape!
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 …
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 …