Nostalgic memories of Kilbirnie's local history
Share your own memories of Kilbirnie and read what others have said
For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.
Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.
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Displaying Memories 21 - 30 of 31 in total
There stands the Craig, dark austere majestic, landmark to mariner, constant proud monastic. Lonely place viewed from afar, awesome place much to adore, volcanic rock in form and mode, midst jagged rocks the birds abode. From Paddys Milestone Irish eyes view the coast where Ayrshire lies. Forboding Sentinel and Barren, far different from the hills of Arran, a symbol of the ages gaun, curling stones hewn out by haun, Timeless stands The Craig, ALOFT-- ALOOF--ALONE. by John Allan.
Hi kilbirnie folks world wide. This is the poem you have all been asking for. No ettlin oanything wrang, wee albin daunert alang by the side o the orchard wa, where the pears an apples an aw were hinging ready tae fa. Folk say an its ma belief opportunity maks the thief, a hole in the wa in view, whit less could albin do but wrastle haulf wae through. An there ayont the wa whit wis it albin saw, a giant six fit ...see more
I stand to be corrected; have been asking around about our dookin holes or places in the river Garnock where we used to swim. Starting at the Conga; the wee lynn, the gless cutter, the Zambezzy, the Comb, the Broom, the Jonah, the Garret lynn and the Sheperds. Finally, the spoot or the spout of the river Garnock itself. It was great to stand under this waterfall and feel the might of the Garnock thrashing doon on your bare back, then swimming in the pond.
People have asked for the name of the sweet shop in Schoolwynd, it was Hallidays. Also been asked to name all the dookin holes on the river Garnock; I will have to get help with this enquiry and get back to you.
My father told me only once about the 'phantom whistler'; apparently in the early hours of the morning someone walked about whistling, it was normally inspirational tunes like Onward Christian Soldiers or I know that my Redeemer liveth. Who was the Phantom Whistler?
There were four bakehouses in Kilbirnie; we had the Co-op bakery famous for their rolls, this was in part due the recipe and part due to the rolls being baked in the auld scotch oven. This type of oven gave a good soul to the roll, the underside of the roll was crispy, people say the roll was most enjoyed with butter and milk. 'Millers' were bakers of distinction, they were famous for their pies and meat stuff in ...see more
Kilbirnie Central School and music teacher Mr Brawn. Mr Brawn was a most gifted pianist; if you recall he always wore a grey shiny suit. Mr Brawn would often give a piano recital at the start of class, this was as he put it, to warm up the piano. When school started after the summer holidays we all came home with stink bombs. We knew the drill by this time so we slipped in and placed loads of stink bombs inside the ...see more
Maggie Cook had a sweet shop at the bottom of Milton Road. She would have done well today with the Garnock Academy business but she served us well and we all have our favourite moments. Maggie was small and petite and in order to access the top shelf she used a ladder. Six of us went in one day and the first asked for four ounces of anniseed balls. Maggie replaced the sweets on the top shelf and asked the next ...see more
The gas lamps in Station Road, Kilbirnie, were the responsibility of staff on duty at the High Station. This line went right through to Glasgow Central Station and of course it was the age of steam. Sanny Dillon was the lamp lighter and being small he carried with him a large pole with a hook on it. The idea was to hook onto a chain and pull it down, thus lighting the gas lamps that were on either ...see more
its many a lang and weary day since 1889 when a cam tae kilbirnie toon tae let folk see the time. theres lots o things that i hae seen, keep mind am tellin ye especially oan a satrday night an no through drinking tea. yon institute that stauns ower there was gifted for your pleasure and folks they cam fae far and near tae spend an oor a leisure. the robert knox memorial hall wae its bricht shining light is there for ...see more