Irvine, North Ayrshire - Notable Visitors

Notable Visitors

  • Alfred Nobel built an explosives factory in Ardeer, on the opposing bank of the River Irvine's mouth.
  • Daniel Defoe was a spy. One of his missions included a survey of Irvine's harbour and port.
  • Edward I of England, also known as Longshanks, possibly camped in Irvine.
  • Mary, Queen of Scots, is known to have slept at Eglinton Castle in Kilwinning and legend says she stopped at Seagate Castle on her journey the next day. A stone, believed to commemorate the visit, has been found in Irvine. It is inscribed MQ 1560.
  • Napoleon III of France was invited to the famous Eglinton Tournament at Eglinton Castle and resided at parre-terre in the centre of town.
  • Frederick II of Prussia (also known as Frederick the Great) after a trip to Irvine, visited Perceton before returning to Potsdam near Berlin.
  • Sir Charles Lamb of Beauport (not to be confused with Charles Lamb the writer), has a fairly obscure history. Among other achievements he was the Knight Marshall to the Royal Household during the coronation of Queen Victoria.
  • Robert Burns lived in Irvine for around nine months in 1781 - 1782.
  • William Wallace enjoyed the fishing and fighting around the River Irvine. Most of his early exploits are firmly placed in the Irvine Valley. He was possibly present at the Capitulation of Irvine.
  • General William Booth of The Salvation Army visited on his motorcade tour of Great Britain.

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