Heritage Harbours Transformed by War

Heritage Harbours Transformed by War, a touring exhibition from the Maritime Heritage Trust, uses historic photographs, maps, documents and archival material to explore the creation of the Clyde Anchorage Emergency Port during World War II and reflect on the impact of WWII on coastal communities across the UK. Hosted in the Museum’s Boatshop on Irvine Harbourside, the free exhibition shines a light on how the Admiralty identified the deep, sheltered waters of the Firth of Clyde as the perfect location for an emergency port, safely rerouting vital wartime supplies away from high-risk areas across the UK. Beyond Scotland, Heritage Harbours Transformed by War examines how coastal areas across the UK adapted. The exhibition also explores the training of women for shipbuilding roles, the challenges faced by small shipyards struggling under government control and the long, postwar process of returning requisitioned land.