Monday 16 May 2016

A caravan holiday in Scotland, part 4

On our last full day we decided to go to the Scottish Maritime museum in nearby Irvine. 

It wasn't too far to drive, and we had a voucher for buy one get one free, so it was only £7.50 for the two of us. 

The museum was a lot more spread out then we realised, and the sat nav originally found a street in between the sites. Parking was easy though, and free.



Having found the main entrance, we paid and got a detailed explanation of where everything was and what to expect. We were only ten minutes before the tour for the tenement house, and Mv Kyles boat. So we had a quick look around before the tour. 

There was only the two of us on it as the museum was deserted. The man was friendly though and he lead us on about a 7 minute walk down to the tenement building. This was just two rooms that are kitted out like the living quarters of a ship worker and his family. It was nice to see and quite detailed, and the guide explained things. I enjoyed this, although I didn't feel it was possible to spend time reading the information, although the guide probably wouldn't have minded. 

Next we walked for about 10 minutes down to the boat, this was a lovely walk along the quay. It helped that it was a beautiful day, but as we went he told us more about the immediate area and boats. At the boat itself there was more to see with the crew quarters, hold, galley, captains quarters and cheat engineers quarters. We also saw the engine bay, although the original engine has been replaced with a diesel as they are planning to move the boat further up. Again the guide explained about the boat and the nearby MV Spartan, which we couldn't go on. 

After we walked back to the main museum building to finish looking around. This was mostly lots of engines, boats and similar displays. There were several videos, and interactive games. My favourite of which was the interactive yacht, which moves from side to side as you try to pilot it. 

Outside the main building there are also other displays of anchors, and boats, including a World War Two refuge boat. This was moored in the channel and if a plane, or boat capsized you could swim to it and await rescue. 

We went across the road to where the cafe, and SY Carola (being renovated) is, and enjoyed a tea and some cake outside the cafe. 

It was an enjoyable trip, although not what I expected. 

We drove back, stopping at Morrisons as we were thinking of having a barbecue, but we changed our minds and had crackers and cheese sat outside the caravan instead. It was nice, sunny but breezy. 

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