Irvine

Sister cities

• Uddevalla

History

Part of modern Irvine contains the oldest continually inhabited village in Europe. Dreghorn, a separate village on the outskirts of Irvine, appears to contain archaeological remains dating back to the first incursions of humanity into Scotland (Mesolithic). The Grannie stone (or Granny Stane) is described as "one of Irvine's prehistoric puzzles", this boulder is either left behind from the Ice Age or is the last remaining stone of a stone circle; others were removed, by blasting, after the Irvine weir was constructed in 1895, but popular protests saved this remaining stone. The Grannie Stane is visible when the water is low. The medieval parish of Irvine was one of the most important regions in Scotland. Originally the site of the Military Headquarters of the Lord High Constable of Scotland, and one of the earliest Scottish Capitals, it served as an HQ to no fewer than three kings. King John I of Scotland inherited the lordship of Irvine sometime in the mid-13th century. Robert the Bruce, in an attempt to seize John's lands, made sure that he secured the town. Irvine is the site of an incident in 1296 (during the Scottish Wars of Independence) when an English army marched to Irvine to engage the Scottish army, encamped at Knadgerhill; the English arrived only to find that dissension amongst the Scots leaders was so great that armed conflict would not occur, and many of the leaders would end up changing sides and joining King Edward I. Bourtreehill House, the only major Estate in the parish, was periodically possessed by all three kings, and possibly the Constables of Scotland before them. In 1618, John Stewart (said to be a vagabond or juggler) and Margaret Barclay, wife of Archibald Dean (a burgess of Irvine), were tried for witchcraft. They were accused of…

Geography

Irvine is situated in low lying Ayrshire overlooking Irvine Bay on the Firth of Clyde. It is a coastal town and lies approximately southwest of Glasgow. Most of the land in and around Irvine is very flat. Two rivers flow through the area, one being the River Irvine and the other being the Annick Water. The Annick Water is very popular for fishing. The area experiences relatively cool, wet summers and cold, wet winters, although snow in the area is not uncommon. Part of the reason why this part of Scotland is particularly mild is the influence from the sea air, with summer temperatures lower than their continental counterparts and only slightly warmer than their continental counterparts during the winter. Generally, rainfall is plentiful throughout the year due to Atlantic weather systems sweeping in from the west. Snow is not rare in this part of Scotland and in many cases brings the area to a halt, like in 1995 and winter 2009/10. Surrounding villages and hamlets around the vicinity of Irvine include Bourtreehill, Bourtreehill House, Lands of Broomlands, Cleeves Cove, Dreghorn, Drukken Steps, Eglinton Country Park, Girdle Toll, Irvine Harbour, Irvine New Town Trail, Laigh Milton Viaduct, Springside, Towerlands, The Chapel Well and Tanzie Well.

Most-observed species

• Herring Gull

  Larus argentatus Pontoppidan, 1763 · Aves
  19,590
• Western Jackdaw

  Coloeus monedula (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  17,782
• Rook

  Corvus frugilegus Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  15,020
• Carrion Crow

  Corvus corone Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  13,260
• House Sparrow

  Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  12,863
• Lesser Black-backed Gull

  Larus fuscus Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  10,484
• Common Wood-Pigeon

  Columba palumbus Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  9,984
• European Starling

  Sturnus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  9,858

Most recent

• M 3.1 — 2021-11-16
  18 km NW of Lochgilphead, United Kingdom
• M 2.5 — 2018-08-30
  1 km ENE of Gourock, United Kingdom
• M 2.6 — 2017-11-01
  2 km NNW of Tarbert, United Kingdom
• M 3.6 — 2006-12-26
  2 km NW of Dumfries, United Kingdom
• M 2.5 — 2005-12-31
  3 km WSW of Auchterarder, United Kingdom
• M 2.5 — 2003-06-20
  12 km NNW of Balfron, United Kingdom