Scottish Maritime Museum
Scotland's influence on the maritime history of the world from the eighteenth century to the modern day has been enormous and out of all proportion to the size of the country. The Scottish Maritime Museums (Irvine and Dunbarton) contain the exhibitions and collections that tell the story of that great maritime tradition. On both sites the buildings themselves are important parts of that story. The sites are complemented by the collection of vessels that represent 150 years of the working vessels of Scotland.
If your interests are in the detailed aspects of the building of ships or the way in which ordinary people interacted with the sea, then the Scottish Maritime Museum should be your first port of call. If you want to undertake detailed research or just have an enjoyable and stimulating day out, the Scottish Maritime Museum can provide it.
Irvine
Situated on Irvine's Harbourside, you will find exhibitions and ship models as well as Scotland's 'Cathedral of Engineering', the Linthouse Engine Shop, built in 1872. Inside you can explore much of the Museum's collection including shipbuilding machinery and machine tools, small boats, canoes, lifeboats, and much more. A visit also includes a tour to the the shipyard workers' tenement flat, restored to its pre-1920s appearance.
Open:
April to October 10am to 5pm Daily