Other Stuff
GOOD THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN IRVINE
THE BURNS MUSEUM, EGLINTON STREET
This was shut when I was in Irvine. It's one of those museums that has seriously restricted opening times, like between 2pm and 2.05pm every second Tuesday after a full moon, if it's dry... maybe... then again, maybe not. One presumes that inside there will be stuff to do with the poet Robert Burns, perhaps some of his letters, a pen or two, and a verse about stupid opening times. It is, possibly, only open between 2.30pm and 4.30pm, every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from Easter to September, and between 2.30pm and 4.30pm on just Saturdays in winter. I'm tempted to think that someone's having a laugh. If it's closed when you get there, at least The Turf tavern is more or less next door, so you may drown your sorrows within its amiable old rooms.
This was shut when I was in Irvine. It's one of those museums that has seriously restricted opening times, like between 2pm and 2.05pm every second Tuesday after a full moon, if it's dry... maybe... then again, maybe not. One presumes that inside there will be stuff to do with the poet Robert Burns, perhaps some of his letters, a pen or two, and a verse about stupid opening times. It is, possibly, only open between 2.30pm and 4.30pm, every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from Easter to September, and between 2.30pm and 4.30pm on just Saturdays in winter. I'm tempted to think that someone's having a laugh. If it's closed when you get there, at least The Turf tavern is more or less next door, so you may drown your sorrows within its amiable old rooms.
SCOTTISH MARITIME MUSEUM, GOTTRIES ROAD
There are bits and pieces of ships scattered all over this fascinating museum which occupies both a big shed and part of Irvine's harbour front. There are also complete vessels, some painted bright yellow, and others lying rusting and forlorn in a salty corner quietly waiting on funding to do them up. It is a magical place to visit, made all the more agreeable by the superb recently-completed streetscape around it.
There are bits and pieces of ships scattered all over this fascinating museum which occupies both a big shed and part of Irvine's harbour front. There are also complete vessels, some painted bright yellow, and others lying rusting and forlorn in a salty corner quietly waiting on funding to do them up. It is a magical place to visit, made all the more agreeable by the superb recently-completed streetscape around it.
BURNS' LODGING HOUSE, GLASGOW VENNEL
This was also shut when I was in Irvine. And we wonder why tourists don't come and visit us as often as we'd like! For goodness sake North Ayrshire Council - pull your flamin' finger out! The sign on the closed door said, 'Please ask staff at The Vennel Gallery for access.' So off I went, up and down the ancient cobbled surface of Glasgow Vennel in search of The Vennel Gallery. I asked folk, I scratched my chinny-chin-chin, and in the end I came away a disappointed and disillusioned man. We don't have a coherent tourist body in this country. All we've got is a collection of apathetic eejits who don't know what's going on from one day to the next. There was nothing whatsoever bearing a sign saying 'The Vennel Gallery'. There was one building - also shut - whose sign said, 'The Vennel Local & Family History Centre,' but no mention of 'gallery'. I despair. Robert Burns lodged in a house in this beautiful little lane between 1781 and 1782. The Glasgow Vennel bristles with old buildings that have a connection with Burns. As well as his lodging house, there's The Heckling Shop (where Burns worked), and various other stone bits and bobs that he passed by each and every day while in lodgings here.
This was also shut when I was in Irvine. And we wonder why tourists don't come and visit us as often as we'd like! For goodness sake North Ayrshire Council - pull your flamin' finger out! The sign on the closed door said, 'Please ask staff at The Vennel Gallery for access.' So off I went, up and down the ancient cobbled surface of Glasgow Vennel in search of The Vennel Gallery. I asked folk, I scratched my chinny-chin-chin, and in the end I came away a disappointed and disillusioned man. We don't have a coherent tourist body in this country. All we've got is a collection of apathetic eejits who don't know what's going on from one day to the next. There was nothing whatsoever bearing a sign saying 'The Vennel Gallery'. There was one building - also shut - whose sign said, 'The Vennel Local & Family History Centre,' but no mention of 'gallery'. I despair. Robert Burns lodged in a house in this beautiful little lane between 1781 and 1782. The Glasgow Vennel bristles with old buildings that have a connection with Burns. As well as his lodging house, there's The Heckling Shop (where Burns worked), and various other stone bits and bobs that he passed by each and every day while in lodgings here.
THE PUDDLIE DOODLIE
This isn't really a tourist attraction, and I only mention it because it's a happy phrase to say. Try it... puddlie doodlie, puddlie doodlie... hard not to smile, no? It is seemingly a dod of grass - or maybe tarmac - down near the river where William Wallace had a bit of a skirmish with some knights long long ago.
This isn't really a tourist attraction, and I only mention it because it's a happy phrase to say. Try it... puddlie doodlie, puddlie doodlie... hard not to smile, no? It is seemingly a dod of grass - or maybe tarmac - down near the river where William Wallace had a bit of a skirmish with some knights long long ago.
AYRSHIRE COASTAL PATH - IRVINE TO TROON
The Ayrshire Coastal Path is a fairly lengthy long-distance footpath along Ayrshire's stunningly beautiful coastline. It is divided up into short easily manageable sections, and that between Irvine and Troon is one. It's about six miles, and so will take you around two hours. It's slightly difficult trying to pick it up at the Irvine end. You can sort of find your way onto it behind the Magnum centre, and after a while you may even be fortunate to come upon a few reassuring signs informing you that you are indeed on it. Best to have a map with you (Ordnance Survey Landranger 70, 'Ayr, Kilmarnock and surrounding area', 1:50000 scale, or one-and-a-quarter inches to a mile). It's easy to lose your way slightly, as there are paths all over the place, but essentially you'll be hugging the coast all the way from Irvine to Troon. There's even the option to walk on the stunning golden beach, but watch out for tides. The sea has a way of creeping up on you, flowing behind and over your exit, so always keep an eye on an escape route, and use your common sense. Also keep an eye out for a large stone dragon sitting snoozing on a hillock not far out of Irvine. Do you feel brave enough to disturb him?
The Ayrshire Coastal Path is a fairly lengthy long-distance footpath along Ayrshire's stunningly beautiful coastline. It is divided up into short easily manageable sections, and that between Irvine and Troon is one. It's about six miles, and so will take you around two hours. It's slightly difficult trying to pick it up at the Irvine end. You can sort of find your way onto it behind the Magnum centre, and after a while you may even be fortunate to come upon a few reassuring signs informing you that you are indeed on it. Best to have a map with you (Ordnance Survey Landranger 70, 'Ayr, Kilmarnock and surrounding area', 1:50000 scale, or one-and-a-quarter inches to a mile). It's easy to lose your way slightly, as there are paths all over the place, but essentially you'll be hugging the coast all the way from Irvine to Troon. There's even the option to walk on the stunning golden beach, but watch out for tides. The sea has a way of creeping up on you, flowing behind and over your exit, so always keep an eye on an escape route, and use your common sense. Also keep an eye out for a large stone dragon sitting snoozing on a hillock not far out of Irvine. Do you feel brave enough to disturb him?
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