McKechnie Institute
A free local museum in a Victorian Baronial building in Girvan, with displays on Ailsa Craig granite, fossils, maritime history and a Victorian lounge.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The McKechnie Institute opened to the public in 1889, thanks to a gift from two local businessmen, Thomas and Robert McKechnie. The building is in the Scottish Baronial style with some Renaissance detail and was designed by the Glasgow architects McKissack & Rowan, who also designed Girvan's North Parish Church. The ground floor originally held a library, a reading room and a ladies' room, while the first floor had a billiards room and a house for the librarian.
During the First World War the building served as the registration centre for the area. Today it is run by South Ayrshire Council as the cultural centre of Girvan. A permanent display tells the story of the town, and a changing programme of exhibitions, events and activities runs alongside it.
Highlights
- Geology and fossils of the Girvan area
- The history of Ailsa Craig and its granite
- Maritime history with model ships
- A Victorian lounge and bedroom
- Bronze Age cinerary urns from about 2100 to 1500 BC
Permanent exhibition
- Permanent display on the heritage of Girvan – Local objects and displays cover geology and fossils, Ailsa Craig and its granite, maritime history with model ships, a Victorian lounge and bedroom, and Bronze Age urns.
- Founded
- 1982
- Operated by
- South Ayrshire Council
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission is free.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Step-free access is available through the entrance on Ailsa Street West. There is an accessible toilet. A detailed access guide is published on AccessAble.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
