The Scottish Maritime Museum in Irvine is celebrating a major milestone this weekend, marking 35 years since its spectacular Linthouse building was relocated to the town’s Harbourside.
Visitors will receive 35% off admission from Saturday, September 19 until Monday, September 21, as the museum celebrates the anniversary of the Grade A listed Victorian building becoming home to Scotland’s national maritime collection.
Up to three children can also visit free with each adult or concession ticket, while younger visitors will be able to enjoy family trails and colouring activities throughout the weekend.
The Linthouse Coffee Bar will join the celebrations by offering visitors a hot drink with a cake or biscuit for £5.
From Glasgow shipyard to Irvine Harbourside
Described as a “cathedral of engineering”, the Linthouse was originally constructed in 1872 as an engine shop for Alexander Stephen and Sons Shipyard in Govan.
Supported by enormous iron girders and flooded with natural light, the building formed part of Scotland’s once world-renowned shipbuilding industry.
It was dismantled in 1988 before being carefully transported and reconstructed at Irvine Harbourside, with work completed on September 21, 1991.
Matthew Bellhouse Moran, Executive Director of the Scottish Maritime Museum, said: “We’re delighted to invite everyone to help celebrate our birthday weekend.
“The Linthouse stands at the heart of our amazing national maritime collection. A stunning ‘cathedral of engineering’, this former shipyard building is a Grade A Victorian masterpiece and the perfect backdrop for our exhibits and the stories of inventors, engineers and sailors who helped influence shipbuilding across the world.”
The landmark building has undergone significant restoration and improvement during its 35 years in Irvine.
A £1.25 million restoration of its roof, which contains around 2,100 glass panes, was carried out in 2013 with Scottish Government support.
Further improvements have included new interpretation around the museum, additional exhibits and an expanded reception area designed to provide more flexibility for events and larger school groups.
The Linthouse Coffee Bar was also recently introduced following the donation of a bar by Clydebank-based fairtrade business Coffee Conscience.
Restoration work is continuing, with funding from Museums Galleries Scotland supporting repairs to the Linthouse’s huge wooden doors this autumn.
Mr Bellhouse Moran added: “We hope as many people as possible can pop along over the long weekend and celebrate with us.
“With up to three kids getting free entry with each adult and concession ticket too, it promises to be a great day out!”
More than four decades of maritime history in Irvine
The Scottish Maritime Museum traces its beginnings to the early 1980s when the West of Scotland Boat Museum Association developed plans for a maritime collection at Irvine Harbourside, an area with its own long shipbuilding heritage.
The museum initially opened in 1983 in the Boatshop building, which today houses its gift shop, Community Gallery and Puffers Café.
The former Govan engine shop was subsequently identified as a potential permanent home for the growing collection.
After being dismantled and sensitively reconstructed in Irvine, the Linthouse opened as the permanent home of the Scottish Maritime Museum in 1991.
Today, the museum houses Scotland’s nationally recognised maritime heritage collection as well as a national collection of maritime art.
Among its historic vessels is MV Kyles, the oldest Clyde-built vessel still afloat in the UK and regarded as one of Britain’s most significant historic vessels.
Visitors can also see MV Spartan, the only surviving Scottish-built puffer in Scotland, and SY Carola, believed to be among the world’s oldest surviving seagoing steam yachts.
The collection also includes Scotland’s largest collection of shipbuilding tools alongside engineering exhibits and inventions which helped shape maritime history around the world.
The Scottish Maritime Museum has a second site in Dumbarton on the former William Denny Shipyard, where visitors can see the historic Denny Ship Model Experiment Tank, recognised as the world’s first commercial ship model experiment tank.
The 35th anniversary weekend runs from Saturday, September 19 to Monday, September 21, with 35% off admission to the Scottish Maritime Museum at Irvine Harbourside.