Introduction

This evening I am posting information on Irvine. This is an industrial town located on the Firth of Clyde, about 25 miles S.W. of Glasgow in the West of Scotland. As illustrated below, Irvine has benefit of an extended sandy beach.

Information on Irvine

Irvine is an ancient settlement which is named after the river which flows through it. In medieval times it achieved royal burgh status. It is now a ‘new town’ on the coast of the Firth of Clyde with population of about 34,000. The origin of the name is not certain but may ultimately have derived from the word ara meaning watercourse.

The area has a long history of human occupation dating back to the Mesolithic period (about 5000 BC or earlier). There is also evidence of Iron-Age occupation.

Once prominent historic harbour has now been eclipsed by competitors and is now closed to commercial shipping.

A Royal Burgh (self-governing) since 1372, Irvine was granted New Town status in 1960s.

Not a high profile tourist town but visitors may be interested in:

The Scottish Maritime Museum.

Golf at Royal Troon, about nine miles south.

Eglinton Country Park.

Carrick Pub

This beach, which comprises lengths of golden sand, forms part of Irvine Bay which in turn faces west with Isle of Arran in distance.

 Equine activity on the beach

 Swans

  River Irvine with town in background.

River Irvine ner town centre. Tall plant in foreground is non-native and invasive, known as Giant Hogweed.This causes human skin to blister.

 High Street, Irvine

More information

The publication, Visitors’ Guide to Scotland includes sections on history, architecture and much more. This book is heavily illustrated and contains a wealth of information on Scotland and it’s history. The ISBN is 978-1-9161332-0-4. Also available via Kindle.