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Why visit Beith?
Each of the three villages has its own unique charms, history and a range of things to see and do.
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Enjoy the outdoors responsibly
Everyone has the right to be on most land and inland water providing they act responsibly. Your access rights and responsibilities are explained fully in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
Whether you're in the outdoors or managing the outdoors, the key things are to:
-take responsibility for your own actions
-respect the interests of other people
-care for the environment
Visit outdooraccess-scotland.com or contact your local Scottish Natural Heritage office.
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Useful LinksInformation on rail and bus travel is available from: www.travelinescotland or by calling 0871 200 2233.
Information on outdoor access in North Ayrshire is available from: accessofficer@north-ayrshire.gov.uk and www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/outdooraccess.
Information on the Scottish Outdoor Access Code is available from: www.outdooraccess-scotland.com.
Information on local path networks is available from: www.ayrshirepaths.org.uk.
Information on health and wellbeing in Ayrshire is available from: www.healthinfoshop.scot.nhs.uk.
The town of Beith and villages of Barrmill and Gateside are located in the Garnock Valley 19 miles south-west of Glasgow by the A737.
Beith was known originally as the "Hill o' Beith", which translates as “Hill of the Birches”, after nearby Court Hill.
In the 18th century Beith was involved in cotton spinning, thread making and muslin weaving. It also had a brewery, distilleries, a tobacco factory and corn mills. John Witherspoon, minister of the Parish Church in 1744, emigrated to America and was instrumental in drawing up the Declaration of Independence.
In the 19th century the focus of Beith changed to furniture manufacturing. The historic core of the town centre, comprising of Main Street, Eglinton Street, The Strand and part of Barrmill Road, was designated as a Conservation Area in 1998. The Beith Townscape Heritage Initiative restored historical buildings at the Cross, which were of historic significance but in a poor state of repair.
The villages of Gateside and Barrmill are half a mile east of Beith. Gateside translates as from old Scots as “place by the road” and lies on the B777. Barrmill takes its name from the former mills making linen thread and lies on the road to Burnhouse and Lugton. Both villages are surrounded by rolling countryside.
This project was funded by:
North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE Telephone: 0845 603 0590 Email: accessofficer@north-ayrshire.gov.uk