Ardrossan
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- This article is about the town in Scotland - for those in Australia or Canada see Ardrossan, South Australia or Ardrossan, Alberta respectively
Ardrossan (Gaelic: Aird Rosain) is a town located on the North Ayrshire coast in western Scotland. The name "Ardrossan" describes its physical position — 'ard' meaning height, and 'rossan' a rocky promontory.
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[edit] History
Ardrossan's roots can be traced back to the construction of its castle, thought to be around 1140, by Simon de Morville. The castle and estate then passed onto the Barclay family (also known as Craig) and it passed through successive heirs until the 14th century. Then it passed onto the Eglinton family on the death of Godfrey Barclay de Ardrossan, who died without leaving an heir.
In 1292, under the reign of John Balliol, the castle fell to the invading English army, who held it until 1296, when it was scene to an infamous event known as Wallace's Larder. William Wallace lured the English garrison out of the castle by setting a decoy fire in the village. He promptly slaughtered them, throwing their remains into the castle dungeon.
The castle stood until 1648, when Oliver Cromwell's troops had it destroyed, taking much of the stonework to Ayr to built the fort there. The ruins still stand, but are overgrown and in a dangerous condition.
Ardrossan developed quickly during the 18th and 19th centuries thanks to its position on the coast. Exports of coal and pig iron to Europe and North America were the main trade from the town's port, which also became a centre for shipbuilding. Fishing vessels and small cargo boats were the mainstay of the shipyard until the 1950s, when the yard all but ceased to exist as a result of foreign competition.
Passenger services from Ardrossan harbour to Brodick on the Isle of Arran started in 1834, and services to Belfast in Ireland (and later Northern Ireland) and the Isle of Man followed in 1884 and 1892. Clyde sailings were operated initially by the Glasgow and South Western Railway Company from Winton Pier, and the Caledonian Railway from Montgomerie Pier. However, the Earl of Eglinton's ambitious plan for a canal link to Glasgow was never realised. The link to the Isle of Man no longer operates from Ardrossan, having first been moved to Stranraer then all Scottish services terminated altogether. Shell-Mex developed an oil refinery in Ardrossan from a World War II aviation-fuel canning-factory, and the harbour was expanded for the company's tanker ships to berth. Local residents blocked plans in the 1960s for further expansion of the refinery, limiting the operations that could be carried out there. Operations at Shell-Mex in Ardrossan ceased in 1986.
Today the harbour has been substantially redeveloped as a marina, though the regular passenger and vehicle ferry to Brodick is still operated by Caledonian MacBrayne.
Ardrossan was one of the last towns in Scotland to be made a Burgh in 1846, with a Provost, magistrates and commissioners. Its Burgh status was lost in 1974 on the formation of Strathclyde Regional Council, whereupon Ardrossan came under Cunninghame District. It is now part of North Ayrshire, which was created as a unitary authority in 1996.
[edit] Transport
Today Ardrossan is developing into a commuter town with a population of around 11,000, with frequent train and express coach links to Glasgow, aided by its location on the Glasgow to Largs/Ardrossan train line and its proximity to the A737 road.
There are three railway stations in Ardrossan: Ardrossan South Beach, which lies close to the boundary with Saltcoats; Ardrossan Town, a station which was in the centre of the town which reopened in 1987 after it had been closed since 1968; and Ardrossan Harbour.
Ayr lies 17 miles to the south and the town is part of the "three towns" mini-conurbation, together with Saltcoats and Stevenston. Frequent bus services to Irvine, Kilmarnock, Ayr and Greenock, as well as an extensive local network, are provided by Stagecoach Western.
The new A78 Three Towns Bypass was opened in December 2004 and has provided a much-needed improvement to local transport links, reducing local travelling-times significantly.
[edit] Culture
Ardrossan boasts some of the most notable buildings in North Ayrshire. For example, Barony St John's Church and St Peter-in-Chains Roman Catholic Church. St Peter's is of modern construction in an all-brick, Swedish style. Its architects were the notable Gillespie, Kidd & Coia. Barony St John's dates from the mid-nineteenth century. Both buildings lie on the South Crescent of the town, overlooking South Beach and Irvine Bay. The crescent is lined by large villas dating from the 19th century, many of which have been converted into multiple residences.
[edit] Environment
While being an exemplar of post-industrial Scotland's socio-economic malaise, Ardrossan is located on the edge of an area of exceptional natural beauty. The towering peaks of the Isle of Arran are starkly visible on a cold sunny day. Beyond, one can see the Paps of Jura and the Mull of Kintyre.
Lying offshore from Ardrossan is a small island named Horse Island. This is an RSPB reserve and is home to nationally important populations of herring gulls and lesser black backed gulls.
[edit] Alumni
Ardrossan, from the core of its now gone industrial workers, has produced a number of people of individual note. Its Academy [1] has produced several former pupils that hold US and international patents for their scientific work.
One of the most high-profile former pupils is Professor David T. Denver, Professor of Politics and International Relations at the University of Lancaster.[2]. Professor Denver is a frequent media commentator on Scottish political issues and voting patterns and has published several books in the field of statistical analyses of voting patterns.
In addition, its Academy boasts as former pupils a winner of the Victoria Cross, Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell and Campbell Martin MSP, Independent Member of the Scottish Parliament for West of Scotland.
Arguably, the town's most notable son was physicist John Kerr.
[edit] Government
Ardrossan lies in the Ayrshire North & Arran constituency in the House of Commons and Cunninghame North constituency in the Scottish Parliament. Both Westminster and Holyrood seats are held by the Labour Party.
[edit] Other places with the same name
The name Ardrossan has also been given to places elsewhere in the world:
- Ardrossan, South Australia
- Ardrossan, Alberta
- Ardossan was the name of the estate owned by the late Robert Scott of Philadelphia. His Mother, Hope Montgomery Scott, was the inspiration for Tracy Lord, heroine of The Philadelphia Story.
[edit] Further reading
- McSherry, R&M (1996) Old Ardrossan
[edit] External links
