Irvine

Irvine, royal burgh (town), North Ayrshire council area, historic county of Ayrshire, southwestern Scotland, on the Firth of Clyde. The last of Scotland’s five “new towns,” Irvine was designated in 1966 in an attempt to rehouse population from Glasgow and provide a focus for the economic and industrial rehabilitation of the area. Silting of the harbour and competition from Troon and Ardrossan during the 18th and 19th centuries had earlier resulted in the decline of Irvine as Glasgow’s chief coastal port. The new town, which is the retail centre of North Ayrshire, incorporates the historic burgh, a former coal-mining area, and an important “enterprise” area. Irvine’s industries include chemical manufacturing, engineering, and the life sciences sector. Several foreign firms have established operations there. The town’s coastal attractions and a branch of the Scottish Maritime Museum draw tourists. Pop. (2001) 34,510; (2011) 34,390.