Project Barrmill

14/07/2025

The Third Statistical Account of Scotland provides a useful insight into what Barrmill was like back in 1951.

🚻 Described as "a most progressive little place with a healthy virile atmosphere", its population was 600, around 100 more than today.

❤️ "The people have a fine spirit of sturdy independence and honesty and co-operate heartily in everything that promotes the general weal."

🏭 Threadmaking had not long ceased and the Barr Mill had closed, with machinery being moved to Kilbirnie and workers being transported there daily by bus.

🚜 The whinstone quarries of Messrs King & Co provided employment "for a considerable number of men and there is also a lime quarry".

🏚 Other quarries in the neighbourhood had been worked out and there were palpable fears "that Barrmill may [soon] become a deserted village". A prediction, thankfully, that hasn't come true!

14/07/2025

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗬𝗢𝗨! 👈🏻

If you live, work or even walk your dog around the Barrmill area, please come along to tonight’s volunteer recruitment meeting.

Tea/coffee & biscuits will be available, as well as staff from North Ayrshire Council Locality Team and The Ayrshire Community Trust (TACT) to provide support and guidance.

This is a great opportunity to learn about the activities and events in the area, see what you could offer and meet new people.

Even if it’s just an hour a month, every spare set of hands is vital to ensuring the hall is kept open.

13/07/2025

Lochwinnoch RSPB Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve looking great and worth an evening visit when it's quiet.

12/07/2025

12/07/2025

Solid effort from the troops in heatwave conditions at today’s Barrmill Monthly Muck-In. ☀️🧤🧢

Us four managed to clear the fire escape of brambles, weeds and leaves; gave the car park area a trim and sweep; and cleaned the park signs.

Carrick carefully mowed the park pathways, Millennium Garden, and tree circle.

Andrew and Margaret did a great job weeding the Millennium Garden and tackling the overgrowth at the park entrance.

Ice cream treat from Nosh after! 🍦

07/07/2025

Long before Barrmill was a place in its own right, Giffen Castle, seen here in a sketch of 1835, was at the centre of local life.

Believed to have been built sometime in the 15th century - either as a replacement for, or improvement of an earlier defensive structure dating to at least 1233 - this stronghold of the Montgomery family was located on a prominent ridge at Greenhills.

It fell into disrepair after 1726 and finally collapsed in the 1830s, with some stonework being salvaged to build the miller's home at Barrmill in the 18th century - including three animal carvings. Only one of these, an owl, is visible today on the adjacent gable end of Giffen Mill.

07/07/2025

I think this one smokes any 'furthest distance travelled'

All the way from Brisbane Australia! 🙌🛩🏖

My mate Ross moved to Oz when we were just 12 years old (that must make that 10 years ago 👀🤥🙈🤣)

Just casually strolled into Nosh today - what a surprise! You've not changed much. You just look more like your dad 😋🙌

Great to catch up 🤝

07/07/2025

Down in Kilbirnie at 2 main St

Good art project to get involved with every Tuesday evening
Starts Tues 8 July, at 6 to 8pm, and every week until 12 August. Everyone welcome.

01/07/2025

Summer holiday NATURE PLAY sessions are here!
Every Tuesday 2.30-4.30pm in the garden at Beith Astro.
Open to children of all ages and their adults.
Come, join us for an afternoon of free and risky play, see what is growing in the garden and let your imagination loose in oir art hut.
All children must be supervised by their attending adults.

19/06/2025