Within the big 3 towns of the Garnock Valley, there is so much history hidden just out of view. We are lucky to have so much to learn all around us. In my regular feature I hope to share some of the hidden histort gems of Kilbirnie, Beith and Dalry with you.
I myself have been out and about following in the footsteps of the people who have uncovered some amazing gems of history.
Lochshore
The first area I carried out my research was the amazing Lochshore.
In 1952, there was a log boat discovered dug out in the loch at Lochshore. This was the third time a boat like this had been found so it didn’t seem like an unusual discovery. There were three past occurrences so it wasn’t seen as odd. However, when the boat was taken to Paisley Museum to be displayed, archaeologists tested the bark. Amazingly, it had pollen within the bark dating back to anywhere between 3000 to -700BC. This has created a real Lochshore mystery as it had been had believed that the tree was used as a boat in the 1800’s but the average life span of a tree from the UK is anywhere from 150-300 years. So that begs the question? What is this mystery boat? Where did it come from? Who made it?
This also throws a wrench in my theory as well as the fact pollen comes and goes so there would be no old pollen to pollinate the newer trees. This suggests that there was a reason to cross the Loch before there was ever a crannog. I wonder if we will ever know? If anyone can solve this mystery please get in touch.
By Ellie Jamieson
