Did you know that the renowned film star, entertainer, and pianist Liberace opened the Eglinton Arms Hotel (now The Carrick) on Irvine’s High Street?
The story goes that new owner Joe Caldwell was looking for someone famous to officially open the hotel on the night of June 29, 1960.
Joe Caldwell, who died in 2012 aged 82, was a kenspeckle figure in his native Ayrshire where he was "mine host" at the Eglinton Arms Hotel in Irvine for almost 50 years.
He was more than a publican or hotelier for his interest in people and music meant his hotel became a magnet for musicians, singers, and entertainers, as varied as Billy Connolly, Anne Lorne Gillies, and Acker Bilk.
He even managed to persuade the flamboyant American pianist Liberace to drop in for a late-night drink when in the area, a visit that caused problems for the local police who were unaccustomed to pink Cadillacs double-parking in Irvine's High Street.
Liberace (real name Wladziu Valentino Liberace) was doing a 3-week stint in Glasgow’s Empire Theatre at the time and agreed to come down to Irvine for the opening.
Word got around that he was coming through and by the time he arrived after 1.00 am the place was heaving with fans.
So much so that Liberace about-turned and headed back up to Glasgow. However, the Burgh Factor at the time Angus McMillan, chased after Liberace’s Cadillac and caught up with him at Torranyard, and persuaded him to come back to the Eglinton.
There are various stories about how he was “smuggled” in through a window as he couldn’t get in the front and back doors because of the crowds and that he was seen on the top floor of the hotel waving his candelabra!
Once he was inside he had a drink and chatted with the invited guests before performing the official opening ceremony and autographing the wall of the upstairs lounge. Joe Caldwell said, “..the atmosphere was absolutely incredible. I have never seen so many people in the high street – and Liberace was a charming gentleman.”
His brief time in Irvine must have made an impact on Liberace, for years after his visit the Eglinton Arms received a Christmas card every year from the man himself all the way from California.
In what was the golden age of the Scottish pub, the Eglinton Arms was at the heart of the Irvine community and, within an industry then full of characters, Mr. Caldwell was much respected and liked by his licensed trade peers across Scotland.
Among his earliest initiatives on arriving in Irvine in 1960 was the Eglinton Burns Club which staged the town's first mixed Burns Supper. Such a break from tradition may have raised eyebrows but it is a tribute to Mr. Caldwell's vision and high standards that the Eglinton Burns Club shortly celebrates its 53rd anniversary.
In the 1960s Irvine grew and Mr. Caldwell was one of the innovators behind an ambitious expansion of the historical Marymass Fair by introducing a 10-day Folk Festival.
Local sceptics feared the worst but the festival was an instant success with often three or four packed concerts running simultaneously in different venues each night.
Folk legends including Matt McGinn, Alex Campbell, and Josh McCrae were joined by then youngsters such as Gerry Rafferty, Barbara Dickson, Archie Fisher, The McCalmans, and Aly Bain.
With thanks to North Ayrshire Council Heritage Services
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