Girvan

infobox UK place
country = Scotland
official_name= Girvan
population= 6,992 (2001 Census)
os_grid_reference= NX185975
latitude=55.23822
longitude=-4.85614
map_type=Scotland
unitary_scotland= South Ayrshire
lieutenancy_scotland= Ayrshire and Arran
constituency_westminster= Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock
constituency_scottish_parliament= Ayr
post_town= GIRVAN
postcode_district = KA26
postcode_area= KA
dial_code= 01465

Girvan is a burgh in Carrick, South Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of about 8000 people. Originally a fishing port, it is now also a seaside resort with beaches and cliffs. It lies 20 miles south of Ayr, and 30 miles north of Stranraer, one of the principal ferry ports from Scotland to Northern Ireland.

Boats also sail from the harbour to Ailsa Craig, an island in the Firth of Clyde. In the summer it is possible to sail around Ailsa Craig on the paddle steamer "Waverley".

Girvan railway station is on the Glasgow South Western Line.

Places of interest

Culzean Castle lies a few miles north of the town. Turnberry golf course and hotel is located 5 miles north of Girvan. The coast line south of Girvan is famous for its geology, and also for Sawney Bean's Cave. The legendary murderer and cannibal Sawney Bean was a supposed resident of a nearby seaside cave until his eventual discovery and execution in Edinburgh.

Girvan has two Church of Scotland congregations - Girvan North Parish Church in Montgomerie Street (with a spire over 100 feet tall) [http://www.ayrpresbytery.co.uk/ch027/index.html] and Girvan South Parish Church. [http://www.ayrpresbytery.co.uk/ch028/index.html]

The town has several popular fish and chip shops and pubs. The Royal Hotel is notable for serving real ale.

To the south of Girvan there are marked walks. [http://www.ayrshirepaths.org.uk/girvan.htm]

Once a year Girvan hosts its annual Girvan Folk music Festival (2007 was the 33rd) which is held on the first weekend of May. Past artists have included Altan, Dervish, Ian Bruce and Malinky. On the Sunday night on the shorefront watch the Burning Man created by local artists [http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=aJMLjy4gEFc]

Girvan also has a folk music club which meets every Friday night in the back of the Queen's Hotel, Montgomerie Street. [http://www.girvanfolkclub.co.uk] Once a month they also have a guest artist night. Past guests have included Emily Smith, Back of the Moon, the Sangsters, Ian Bruce, Adam McNaughton and Bruce Molsky.

Festival of Light CRAG and Girvan Attractions work in partnership to produce the annual Festival of Light community arts project transforming the town on the first Saturday in November each year with a lantern procession, shore performance and fireworks display. [http://www.youtube.com/v/bPhU-E3PkW4]

Education and community

Girvan has its own secondary school, Girvan Academy. The town's harbour can be seen from the [http://83.104.123.28/axis-cgi/jpg/image.cgi? webcam] which is part of the [http://www.girvan-online.net Girvan Online community website] .

Girvan Oasis is a volunteer group which are currently based in the Girvan community centre (every Thursday night 7.30 to 9.30pm) [ [http://www.girvanyouthtrust.co.uk Girvan Youth Trust] ]

Girvan Oasis is a youth group for youngsters aged 13-18 years old.(from third year onwards)There are themed nights (food nites, games and puzzle nites) and day trips throughout the year. See website for more details.

Early 2008 Girvan Youth Trust will be relocating to a purpose built youth centre on dalrymple street. The building was once a pub called "the Cranford".

The Hairy Tree

Historically, Girvan was significant as the home of the Hairy Tree. According to legend, the Hairy Tree was planted by Sawney Bean's eldest daughter in the town's Dalrymple Street.Fact|date=February 2008 However, when her family was arrested, the daughter was implicated in their incestuous and cannibalistic activities and was hanged by locals from the bough of the tree she herself planted. According to local legend, one can hear the sound of a swinging corpse while standing beneath its boughs. The Hairy Tree's whereabouts are currently unknown, but two high profile campaigns have been launched to relocate it. The Girvan Online website is running a [http://www.girvan-online.net/?node=379 campaign] which was started by local investigative journalist and horoscope writer Andrew Penguin. More recently, former Scotland International footballer Alan Brazil launched his own independent campaign to the same purpose.

tumpy Tower

Stumpy Tower is Girvan's former Jail.

References

External links

* [http://www.virtualscotland.co.uk/fishinginscotland/salmon_fishing_resort_river_girvan.htm Salmon Fishing on the River Girvan]
* [http://www.girvan-online.net Girvan Online]
* [http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/ South Ayrshire Council]
* [http://www.girvanfolkclub.co.uk Girvan Folk Club]