Girvan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Girvan | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
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| OS grid reference: | NX185975 |
| Statistics | |
| Population: | 6,992 (2001 Census) |
| Administration | |
| Council area: | South Ayrshire |
| Constituent country: | Scotland |
| Sovereign state: | United Kingdom |
| Other | |
| Police force: | Strathclyde Police |
| Lieutenancy area: | Ayrshire and Arran |
| Former county: | Ayrshire |
| Post office and telephone | |
| Post town: | GIRVAN |
| Postal district: | KA26 |
| Dialling code: | 01465 |
| Politics | |
| Scottish Parliament: | Ayr |
| UK Parliament: | Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock |
| European Parliament: | Scotland |
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Girvan is a burgh in Carrick, South Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of about 8000 people. Originally a fishing port, it is now also a seaside resort with beaches and cliffs. It lies 20 miles south of Ayr, and 30 miles north of Stranraer, one of the principal ferry ports from Scotland to Northern Ireland.
Boats also sail from the harbour to Ailsa Craig, an island in the Firth of Clyde. In the summer it is possible to sail around Ailsa Craig on the paddle steamer Waverley.
There are few attractions in Girvan itself, but Culzean Castle lies a few miles north of the town. The world famous Turnberry golf course and hotel is located 5 miles north of Girvan. The coast line south of Girvan is famous for its geology, and also for Sawney Bean's Cave. In days gone past Sawney Bean was a cannibal, who was eventually caught and hung in Edinburgh.
See the harbour from the [webcam] http://83.104.123.28/axis-cgi/jpg/image.cgi? which is part of the [Girvan Online community website]http://www.girvan-online.net Site.
Girvan is not very good for holidays with young children. There are plenty of walks around about the town itself.There are a number of fascinating church buildings located within the town of Girvan, all built with different architecture and all with a very different story to tell. Girvan has its own secondary school,Girvan Academy.
Historically, Girvan was significant as the home of The Hairy Tree. The Hairy Tree was planted by Sawney Bean's eldest daughter in the town's Dalrymple Street. However, when her family was arrested, the daughter was implicated in their incestuous and cannibalistic activities and was hanged by locals from the bough of the tree she herself planted. According to local legend, one can hear the sound of a swinging corpse if one stands under the bough of the Hairy Tree. The Hairy Tree's whereabouts are currently unknown, but two high profile campaigns have been launched to relocate it. The Girvan Online website is running a campaign which was started by local investigative journalist and horoscope writer Andrew Penguin. This can be found at www.girvan-online.net . Recently, former Scotland International footballer Alan Brazil has started his own campaign to locate The Hairy Tree.
