This advent has now taken place

Ship Ahoy!, Scotland’s major and FREE annual maritime heritage event, returns to the Scottish Maritime Museum on Irvine Harbourside on Saturday 22 April.

The day-long celebration of maritime heritage, from the Clyde to the Western Isles, will take place in the Museum’s vast Linthouse building on Harbour Road and outside in the Museum Courtyard.

From 10am – 4pm, visitors of all ages will enjoy a fascinating collection of over 30 model steamers and historic vessels outside on the Boating Pond and inside the Linthouse, itself once the Engine Shed at Alexander Stephen & Sons’ Shipyard in Govan.

More information about who is exhibiting on the event page HERE

Models will include Lady of Mann, Waverley (2022), a small Queen Mary and small King George V by model maker John McNulty as well as vessels displayed by Irvine Model Boat Club, the RNLI Model Lifeboat Display and the Model Steamer Club of Glasgow.

Everyone can also take a walk down memory lane with postcards, photographs, artefacts and books on show by a host of maritime and shipping organisations.

These include Caledonian MacBrayne, which celebrates 50 years of car ferries, Maid of the Loch, the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society, The Tall Ship Glenlee, Caledonian Railway Association, Clyde River Steamer Club, the Coastal Cruising Association, Dereck Hunter & Vintage MacBrayne Bus, SS Explorer Preservation Society, Friends of TS Queen Mary, West Highland Steamer Club and Kilmarnock & District Model Rail Club.

Ship Ahoy! Committee Chairman Iain Quinn will also present screenings of unique archive footage of Calmac vessels throughout the day.

Other highlights include a rare opportunity to tour the Museum’s Scottish Boatbuilding School workshops and see vessels under restoration as well as chat to Irvine Harbourside Men’s Shed.

Christopher Woodland, Commercial Manager at the Scottish Maritime Museum, says:
We’re delighted to welcome the ever-popular Ship Ahoy! back to the Scottish Maritime Museum. Over the past eight years, this fabulous celebration of our maritime history has grown into a firm favourite on our calendar and across the West of Scotland.

“As well as all the Ship Ahoy! highlights, the day is great opportunity to visit the Museum for free and see many of our exhibits, behind the scenes at our Scottish Boatbuilding School and, of course, tour our current exhibition on lighthouses, ‘Following the Lights’.”

Tours of the Scottish Boatbuilding School workshops will take place at 11.30am, 1pm and 2pm and can be booked on the day at the Welcome Desk.

Visitors can also chat to Irvine Harbourside Men’s Shed, a not-for-profit organisation which brings people together to enjoy craftwork and social interaction. The team will be in the Museum’s volunteer area between 11am – 3pm with examples of models made by the members including a new community bookcase, bench and planters as well as smaller items for sale.

The Skylark IX Recovery Project team will also be in the Linthouse telling everyone about their role caring for the Dunkirk ‘Little Ship’ Skylark IX and using her story of hope and resilience to support people recovering from addictions.

Ship Ahoy! exhibitors also include Coastal Publications, Began as a Tree Bespoke Quality Wood Crafts, Douglas Blades Books, Just Dive Scuba Diving & Mermaid Training and Scotia Handmade Crafts.

With so much to see and do, visitors can refuel during the day at the Linthouse Coffee Bar or at Reggaelicious Food Truck and Little Birdhouse Bakes out in the Courtyard.

 www.scottishmaritimemuseum.org
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Issued on behalf of the Scottish Maritime Museum by
Joanna Harrison, Mobile: 07884 187404