NEXT year marks the 350th anniversary since Girvan became a burgh and a vital part of South Carrick’s history.

The town was originally a fishing port but in 1669 it became a municipal burgh incorporated by charter.

The opening of the railways, initially with the Maybole and Girvan Railway at the end of the 1850s, encouraged the development of Girvan as a seaside resort with beaches and cliffs. 

Girvan Town Team, who work actively as an independent group and a support network for other organisations in the area, want to encourage locals and historians put on a show next year to celebrate this anniversary.

Maybole celebrated 500 years of being a burgh this year and through funding the community council held a series of events to mark the milestone including a Burns supper.

The Town Team hope they can create various ‘celebrations to honour Girvan’s history and encourage locals and tourists to visit the town.
According to research Girvan’ appears to be of Gaelic origin and translates as ‘Short river’: Gearr meaning ‘short’ and abhainn meaning ‘river’. 

Although it was created a burgh of barony in 1668, the town did not enjoy burgh privileges until the late eighteenth century. 

While a number of manufacturers were based in the town during the 1700s, it was not until the nineteenth century that Girvan experienced an economic boom. 

This change in fortune was largely to do with the development of the harbour and the expansion of the domestic weaving industry. 

Fluctuations in the town’s population at this time clearly reflect the dramatic changes that were occurring: 7,319 people were estimated to live there in 1851, compared with only 1,012 in 1791.

Girvan’s population is currently estimated to be 6,700 with various facilities for tourists and residents to enjoy including the: The McKechnie Institute which opened in 1889, The Girvan Folk Music Festival, The Lowland Gathering and The annual Festival of Light in October.