IRVINE HARBOR RESTORATION

Irvine, on the west coast of Scotland, was designated a new town in 19 66. It is the only new town in the UK which is located by the sea and the coastline extends for 5 km within the designated area. Historicall y Irvine was once a thriving port, the third largest in Scotland, and its harbour is located at the confluence of the Rivers Garnock and Irv ine. This Paper briefly outlines the history of Irvine Harbour and des cribes its fluctuating fortunes over a few hundred years prior to Irvi ne becoming a new town. It examines the changing role of the harbour s ince the new town was designated and describes the means and methods o f refurbishing the harbour to perform this changed role.