A NEW book telling the history of clocks in Kilwinning was officially launched last week.

“Timepiece” the new book written by Heather Upfield is the 4th in the Kilwinning Heritage Series and tells the story of 300 years of Kilwinning clocks, clock and watch makers.

This well-researched book tells the story of James Blair (1781-1850), the maker of the clock in the Kilwinning Abbey Tower and of fine long-case clocks.

The other two town clocks and associated bells are included in this comprehensive guide to clocks and clockmakers in the town over 300 years.

It reveals a previously undocumented continuous local trade from an era before standardised time-keeping through an almost unbroken line of skilled craftsmen to the last Kilwinning clockmaker who died in 1981.

An invited audience enjoyed Heather’s talk on her research and the surprising, and a little scary, exploration of the town’s three public clocks.

The book costs £3 and is available to buy in Kilwinning Library and from our website.