Irvine Travel Guide

Anytime I've been to the harbour, the museum has been closed. You can see some of the exhibits through the railings. Some others, either decaying or being renovated (hard to tell) are beached in the vicinity.
The vessel in the forground of the picture is a "puffer". This was the traditional small vessel for transporting anything & everything between the islands in the west and the mainland. Now superceded by roll on/roll off ferries.
The website gives opening times.
There are a couple of interesting looking pubs down there, for those in need of food or refreshment. One seems to be 400 years old...

I've been going to this part of Irvine for about 6-7 years because my son plays ice hockey at the adjacent leisure centre once a season. I've often been tempted to go into the Ship Inn for food or drink, but in Feb '10 I finally did it.

Nice atmospheric traditional pub/restaurant type place. The emphasis is on food, so the bar area is quite small. Seemed to be very busy at 7pm on a Saturday.

Must go back and try the food one time.

Oh, and for you history buffs, it has been a pub since 1754! And the buildings date back to 1500s!

Dress Code: Smart casual I'd guess. They have a meeter & greeter at the front door for restaurant guests, so no doubt he'd turn you away if you look too scruffy.

3 more images

watch out for the junkies in the high street and the gypsy beggars

this is totally a new phenomanon in the town.

just ignoring them is your best bet - and keeping your hand on your wallet - which should be safely tucked inside your front pocket - not in a back pocket or inside a hand bag

the magnum leisure centre is not exactly like it used to be...

it used to be famed for being the biggest leisure centre in europe. now it's just run down and very sad looking - which is a shame

Unique Suggestions: enjoy it while it's still here - they are talking about knocking it down

Fun Alternatives: if you fancy swimming - get on the local bus to harveys in nearby stevenston / saltcoats

it's cheaper to get in - and the swimming pool is a whole lot better!

great fun on a nice day

take the dogs a walk around the massive country park - there's usually something going on there.

take the kids to the swing park or the ruins of the castle

theres a visitor centre and information place too - and a wee cafe that opens mostly in the summer months.

Huge multi-sport centre. I've only ever been to the ice rink, which is small and dark.
Its one of the least attractive venues on my son's circuit of ice hockey fixtures. Everytime I've been, there has been a posse of 13/14 year olds smoking at the front entrance. Someone should throw them in jail (18 is now the minimum age here) or at least tell them to clear off and pollute the atmosphere somewhere else.

Equipment: Warm clothes!

1 more image

Favorite thing: The area around the harbour, where the two rivers meet is a mecca for bird watchers with a marvellous variety of sea birds to view.

The views across the Firth of Clyde to the islands of Arran and Ailsa Craig are wonderful, particularly at sunrise and sunset. The Kintyre peninsula and the well known Mull of Kintyre are just behind the island of Arran.

Heading north one can visit the towns of Stevenston, Saltcoats, Ardrossan and to Largs and beyond. Good ferry services are available to cross to the islands of Arran (from Ardrossan), Bute (from Wemyss Bay) and to the Cowal peninsula for Dunoon (from Gouirock). Details of ferry services can be found on the Caledonian McBrayne website.

Fondest memory: Pleasant evenings with good company in THe Ship Inn at the harbour