The port of Irvine is a natural harbour on the south bank of the river Irvine, extending inward from near the confluence of the river with the Garnock to where it takes a meander from the town to the north. It was a very important trading center from the late middle-ages and indeed was considered the third port of Scotland at one time. The rights to the river frontage were contested for many years but in 1573 came into the possession of the Corporation of Irvine and the port was run by the town council. Irvine Harbour around 1890 (Washington Wilson) In 1815, with the arrival of the steamboat age, Irvine was a call made by the Greenock, on her weekly sojourn to Ayr. The return journey was made the following day. The Greenock was sold off the river the following year. “Steam Boat Greenock, Anderson & M‘Cowan, Captains, Sails every lawful day, to and from Glasgow to Greenock, and...
