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.

Add a Memory!

It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin

Displaying Memories 1 - 10 of 31 in total

We used to visit Maggie Cook's on our way home from school if we were lucky enough to have been given tuppence
I remember my days of playing on the large pips that lay on the grounds which is now a car park at the bottom of the Largs road does anyone else remember the pips that lay there.
Humble pie now massed produced wae shell and lid and meat enhoosed, I crave thy taste o succulent meat, just richtly spiced and warm tae eat, your crusty shell want break ma teeth, the bakers skill and guid Scots beef, black and white pepper, an ounce tae the pound, perfectly formed, perfectly round, Some wae onions, some wae tatties, some wae egg, some wae patties, Rangers pie and Celtic pie wae flour and lard, ...see more
It seems She never had it aff, she wore it aw the time, Dain the bakin covered in Floor, dain the dustin covered in Stoor, Hining oot washin,Beating the rugs, Cleaning the windies, Dichtin the dugs, Wipen the sweat aff her auld furred broo, she even wore it milking the coo. She aye kept a guid wan fir the minister cummin, That wan wis clean, the ither wan Hummin, She wiped oor tears sae gentle aboot it, When she ...see more
It is over 40 years ago since Kilbirnie singer John Allan recorded an L.P. with the above title. The recording studio has now transferred this on to C.D. Now available through Scottish Music and Amazon.
School playtime was prolonged on many occasions by up to half an hour. At the end of playtime the school bell was supposed to ring out. It rarely did because we would climb up the pole and place a dodd of wet paper between the hammer and the bell, so there was no sound. This was at Kilbirnie Central, Do you remember this?
It was the year of the Coronation and we, the Allans, had a T.V. We were all sitting watching this event when Mother got up and said, "right, one of you go down and tell Annie Laurie that Bill, her son, is on the telly". I said "who is Annie Laurie?". "Mrs Ferguson", she said, "run like stoor, move yourself". I ran down to the house and Mr Ferguson answered the door, "Whit dae you want?", "My mother said tae ...see more
William Campbell Anderson. I lost a friend, He was a rock, A dignified and decent bloke, Had many a pain to Ca his ain yet never a day did he complain. Always welcome in his home, even cats and dogs did come. Not a man for idle chat nor Pontificate or gloat. Kept his own counsel good or bad, Natures Gentleman it must be said. Did not adhere to any creed, educated and well read. Abou Ben Adam, his tribe ...see more
I was reminded today of The Bird Man who went round all the schools doing Bird Call imitations. We were at Ladyland School and this presentation was a welcome break from school work. At the close of his performance he asked for requests and seeing we were at Ladyland school, someone shouted out, Can you do a Ladybird? The person who shouted the request also had a bird connection via his nick name which was 'Wee Owl', Billy Thompson.
Willie Watt was a successful business man in Kilbirnie. He along with his brother owned Watts Network. Willie was smart, good looking, debonair, he had it all. Willie was also a singer of great repute. Just before singing his first song at a Burns supper the chairman asked, how did such a good looking, obviously successful gentleman like you manage to escape all the adoration of all the local women. ...see more