Ardrossan Harbour

This harbour was first established from 1806 by the 12th and 13th Earls of Eglinton. It was the focal point round which the town of Ardrossan developed. The harbour was enlarged between 1886 and 1891 by the Ardrossan Harbour Co for the export of coal and iron and for excursion steamer traffic.

This shows a small coaster leaving the inner basin of the harbour. In the background are the electric cranes latterly used for handling cargo. In the mid-1960s the inner harbour was used mainly by small container ships, and by vessels bringing sulphur for the ICI works at Ardeer.

By the end of the 20th century the inner harbour was little used by commercial traffic, and was being developed as a residential area and marina. Steamer services to Arran still use a roll on, roll off berth built at Winton Pier.

1806 (harbour established) 1886-91 (harbour enlarged)

mont pier

This station was opened in 1890 by the Lanarkshire & Ayrshire Railway, a subsidiary of the Caledonian Railway, which was built to give the latter access to Ayrshire, and particularly to the port of Ardrossan for the shipment of coal and iron, and for excursion traffic to Arran.

This shows the exterior of the station, which is on a pier built for the Caledonian Steam Packet Company's steamers. The timber cladding covered a steel frame, with extensive roof glazing, a form of construction favoured by the Caledonian Railway and its associated lines.

This station was used to a limited extent for excursion traffic until 1966, when it was closed, and steamer services concentrated at the Glasgow & South Western Railway's Winton Pier. The Montgomery Pier building was demolished soon after closure. 1890 (station opened) 1966 (photograph taken) 1966 (station closed) 2001 (photograph copied) Late 1960s (station demolished)

Glebe Quarry, Saltcoats. Ayrshire. Ayrshire Bauxitic Clay. The quarry was situated in the field behind the parish church.

The quarry was first opened in 1918. After working the best material is sent to Newcastle for use as a refractory, some is sold for use in the manufacture of alum. Note the closeness of the residential areas of Saltcoats.

Bauxite is composed of hydrated aluminium oxides, and is formed by the weathering of the Millstone Grit (Carboniferous) lavas in a sub-aerial to lagoonal tropical environment.