Girvan
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| Girvan | |
  Girvan shown within Scotland |
|
| Population | 6,992 (2001 Census) |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Council area | South Ayrshire |
| Lieutenancy area | Ayrshire and Arran |
| Constituent country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | GIRVAN |
| Postcode district | KA26 |
| Dialling code | 01465 |
| Police | Strathclyde |
| Fire | Strathclyde |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| European Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament | Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock |
| Scottish Parliament | Ayr |
| List of places: UK • Scotland | |
Girvan is a burgh in Carrick, South Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of about 8000 people. Originally a fishing port, it is now also a seaside resort with beaches and cliffs. It lies 20 miles south of Ayr, and 30 miles north of Stranraer, one of the principal ferry ports from Scotland to Northern Ireland.
Boats also sail from the harbour to Ailsa Craig, an island in the Firth of Clyde. In the summer it is possible to sail around Ailsa Craig on the paddle steamer Waverley.
Girvan railway station is on the Glasgow South Western Line.
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[edit] Attractions
There are few attractions in Girvan itself, but Culzean Castle lies a few miles north of the town. The world-famous Turnberry golf course and hotel is located 5 miles north of Girvan. The coast line south of Girvan is famous for its geology, and also for Sawney Bean's Cave. Legendary murderer and cannibal Sawney Bean was a supposed resident of a nearby seaside cave until his eventual discovery and execution in Edinburgh.
Girvan has several good chip shops which are very popular amongst a large number of the town's residents.
Girvan is not considered a family holiday resort. Tourists may however enjoy the many walks around the town, with its historic church buildings in their various architectural styles.
There are a number of pubs in Girvan with a few being angled towards visitors. The selection of beverages seems to be pretty generic, though the Royal Hotel is noteable for serving real ale (a rarity in the area and it is the only pub in the town to do so).
To the south of Girvan there are marked walks. [1]
Once a year Girvan hosts its annual Girvan Folk music Festival (2007 was the 33rd) which is held on the 1st weekend of May. Past artists have included Altan, Dervish, Ian Bruce and Malinky. On the Sunday night on the shorefront watch the Burning Man created by local artists [2]
Girvan also has a folk music club which meets every Friday night in the back of the Queens hotel, Montgomerie street. [3]
Once a month they also have a guest artist night. Past guests have included Emily Smith, Back of the Moon, the Sangsters, Ian Bruce, Adam McNaughton and Bruce Molsky.
Festival of Light CRAG and Girvan Attractions work in partnership to produce the annual Festival of Light community arts project transforming the town on the first saturday in November each year with a fabulous lantern procession, shore performance and spectacular fire works display. One of the highlights of the year [4]
[edit] Education and community
Girvan has its own secondary school, Girvan Academy. The town's harbour can be seen from the webcam which is part of the Girvan Online community website.
Girvan Oasis is a volunteer group which are currently based in the Girvan community centre (every Thursday night 7.30 to 9.30pm)[1]
Girvan Oasis is a youth group for youngsters aged 13-18 years old.(from third year onwards) There are themed nights (food nites, games and puzzle nites) and day trips throughout the year. See website for more details.
Early 2008 Girvan Youth Trust will be relocating to a purpose built youth centre on dalrymple street. The building was once a pub called "the Cranford".
[edit] The Hairy Tree
Historically, Girvan was significant as the home of the Hairy Tree. According to legend, the Hairy Tree was planted by Sawney Bean's eldest daughter in the town's Dalrymple Street.[citation needed] However, when her family was arrested, the daughter was implicated in their incestuous and cannibalistic activities and was hanged by locals from the bough of the tree she herself planted. According to local legend, one can hear the sound of a swinging corpse while standing beneath its boughs. The Hairy Tree's whereabouts are currently unknown, but two high profile campaigns have been launched to relocate it. The Girvan Online website is running a campaign which was started by local investigative journalist and horoscope writer Andrew Penguin. More recently, former Scotland International footballer Alan Brazil launched his own independent campaign to the same purpose.
[edit] Stumpy Tower
Stumpy Tower is Girvan's former Jail.
[edit] References
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