This
statue, by David Annand, stands on Irvine Harbourside, where - in the
years before the dredging of the Clyde led to the growth of Glasgow
- carters plied their trade, transporting goods from sea-going ships
for distribution throughout Ayrshire and the West of Scotland.
It was unveiled in 1996 by Captain Sandy Muir & Maurice Crichton, Chairman of Irvine Development Corporation.
For further information:
A song written
by P6 Woodlands Primary School in 2006
with a little help from Billy Stewart
from The New Makars Trust
THE IRVINE CARTERS
1. There is a boat riding low by the Irvine harbour wall
She’s weighed down by the cargo that is resting in her hold
Is it spices fae the Indies, is it cloth with thread of gold,
Makes nae difference for the Carters will be thereChorus
We’re the Carters of Irvine and we tramp the country roon
Hauling goods fae Irvine tae the merchants of the toons
We cart loads fae the big ships and bring loads back again
So the name of Irvine’s Carters will remain2. Summer, Spring, Autumn or Winter on them you can depend
If there’s ships to be unloaded then the Carters will be sent
Though the sun be burning brightly or the snow be on the wind
Makes nae difference for the Carters will be there3. Their mighty Clydesdale horses carried cargo on their backs
Fae Irvine up tae Glasgow along the old dirt tracks
The Carters they would lead them through weather fair or black
Makes nae difference for the Carters will be there4. At Marymass each year the Carters still are seen
And they take pride tae ride beside the bonnie Irvine Queen
And not a van or motor car or lorry will be seen
Only Carters and their horses will be there
Words: P6 Woodlands Primary (2006) and Billy
Stewart
Music: Billy Stewart
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