A LOCAL councillor has expressed their delight at the news that a iconic building in Saltcoats won’t be going anywhere.

Councillor Jean McClung, the SNP Councillor for the Saltcoats ward is happy to say that she has been given an assurance that the former Harbour Master’s house at Saltcoats Harbour will be maintained, and kept weather-proof until such time as a suitable purpose can be found for it.

Councillor McClung stated: “About a year ago a constituent, the proprietor of The Studio Cobbler, approached me with his concerns about the condition of the former Harbour Master’s House at Saltcoats Harbour, once used as a maritime museum. Its state of disrepair prompted him to offer to repair the building himself, in order to retain it as an historic building. I immediately contacted Craig Hatton, the director at NAC with responsibility for Place, who assured me that due to its historic interest he would ensure that the building would not be allowed to fall into further disrepair.

“When I enquired about lack of progress in this regard, he explained that reconstruction work had been forced to be halted due to the fact that birds were nesting in the roof area, and by law, could not be disturbed.

“Recently, however, I was informed that now specialist cleaners would be brought in to dispose of the potentially hazardous bird-droppings deposited in the building, after which the necessary work will get underway.

“I am personally delighted to know that this building will be preserved, as it is an important part of the maritime history of my home town. Indeed, it is the feature of our harbour which distinguishes it pictorially from any other harbour.

“My own grandmother was born in the tenement building in Quay Street where Betsy Miller, the world’s first female ship’s captain, lived. I was brought up on such historical details about Saltcoats and am delighted that this reminder of Saltcoats’s proud history will be preserved.”