The Irvine Archive
If you'd like to see more of the history of Irvine, why not check out the Irvine Archive.
Co-operative Butchers, Fullarton - by Crawford Fulton
This photo was taken from George McMaster's Collection. It shows the first shop on the Fullarton side of the bridge (the parapet of which can be seen towards the left edge of the photo), to the south west of the River Irvine.
Irvine High Street, John Galt's birthplace (now the Bank of Scotland), date unknown - by Crawford Fulton
Irvinite John Galt is a fascinating character. Author of many books ( I can recommend 'The Provost' - a satire on Irvine Town Council in the late 18th and early 19th Centuries, which still holds true with the current crop of councillors), and founder of two towns in Canada amongst a varied career. For more information, please read this:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Galt_(novelist)
Irvine The Timmer Land, north west corner of High Street and Bridgegate, painting (date unknown) - by Crawford Fulton
The Timmer Land is the arcaded building on the right of this image, it was replaced by the 'Saddler's Corner':
www.flickr.com/photos/crawfordfulton/8137686530/in/photos...
And then, in 1972, by Bridgegate House:
www.flickr.com/photos/crawfordfulton/5153884492/in/set-72...
Sadly, North Ayrshire Council have chosen to reclad, rather than demolish, this eyesore. As it is located in the heart of Irvine Central Conservation Area, and it is wrong in terms of plan (it breaks from the historic alignment of both Bridgegate and High Street) and massing (it is too high), this is a bizarre and irrational decision. They have been aided and abetted in this by Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, a body who are to good planning what the German U Boats were to safe transatlantic trade from 1940-45.