Old Photographs Main Street West Kilbride Scotland

Old photograph of shops, houses and people on the Main Street in West Kilbride, Ayrshire, Scotland. West Kilbride, Scottish Gaelic: Cille Bhrìghde an Iar, a village in North Ayrshire, on the west coast by the Firth of Clyde, looking across to Goat Fell and the Isle of Arran. West Kilbride is generally believed to be named after the ancient Celtic Saint Brigid of Kildare, often known as St Bride. There has been a hamlet in the area since 82 AD when the Roman general Agricola stationed 30,000 troops in the area of the village now known as Gateside. Roman roads can still be explored around the village to this day. Several buildings in the area date back to medieval times. Law Castle, situated at the foot of Law Hill, was built in the 15th century for King James III's sister Mary. Portencross Castle, thought to date from the 14th century, is situated right next to the sea at Portencross harbour, The town became known as a weaving and agricultural town, one of many Ayrshire towns specialising in potatoes. Since the town became linked by rail to Glasgow in 1878, it began to attract more visitors. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to visit one day.



All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

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