Following a period of refurbishment, North Ayrshire Museum recently enjoyed a successful re-opening.

The museum, which is the main museum in North Ayrshire, was set up in 1957 by Ayrshire businessman, Owen Kelly, to preserve items of local interest. The extensive collection, which pays particular attention to the towns of Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston, is now looked after by North Ayrshire Council.

Jean Armour's Teapot

Changing displays illustrate the area's social history, maritime history, archaeology, transport and popular culture. On view is the famous Ardrossan Knights Templar stone coffin, a bronze age burial cist from Stevenston and Saltcoats' old hand operated fire-engine.

The museum is housed in the former Ardrossan Parish Church and a number of families of interest are buried in the grounds, including relations of Edgar Allan Poe, the Smiths of the City Shipping Line and Betsy Miller, the World's first female registered sea captain.

Click here to browse North Ayrshire Museum's collections held on Scran. Full visitor information for the museum is given below:

Poe Family Headstone

North Ayrshire Museum
Manse Street, Saltcoats KA21 5AA

Tel: (01294) 464174
Email: namuseum@north-ayrshire.gov.uk

Open 10am - 1pm and 2pm - 5pm.
Closed Wednesdays and Sundays.

North Ayrshire Museum is wheelchair accessible.

www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/museums

Saltcoats Map (provided by www.multimap.com)