An historic boat has been brought back to life to give locals a unique view of the Bogside flats.

The Watching from the Wheelhouse project - spearheaded by Garnock Connections – has revitalised Scotland’s only surviving harbour tug and a National Historic Ships registered boat, the TB Garnock.

Stationed at Irvine’s Scottish Maritime Museum, the boat has undergone paintwork, a bridge restoration, and had a digital eyepiece mounted to its mast which will allow visitors to view wildlife in the Bogside from on deck.

Project manager, Alyson Hunter, said: “[The project] provides a great opportunity for folk to experience a different and fully accessible perspective looking out over the double estuary and across to the Bogside Flats to spot wildlife from a slightly closer vantage point - I finally got to see my first otter from the deck!

“The brave can climb the ladder and go up into the wheelhouse and get an even better look out.

“There are also two coastal rowing boats that go out with the hardiest as part of the Irvine Coastal Rowing Club as well! Plenty to keep most occupied and entertained for a wee while.”

Members of the public can venture onto the tug, but these must be booked in advance as they are weather and tide dependant and a member of staff must be there to accompany the visit.

The restoration was undertaken by trainees and volunteers who were supervised by the museum’s technical and curatorial staff.

Built in 1956, the Irvine Harbour Company boat was used to tow ships to and from the ICI Ardeer wharf and for merchant shipping in the main harbour area.

Also on display in the museum’s Linthouse Building is Garnock Connection’s Working Voices auditory exhibition which showcases the personal stories of ICI workers, Harbour workers, and seamen from Irvine, The Three Towns, and the surrounding areas.

She added: “This completes the gateway site at the bottom of the project area (the gateway site at the top is at RSPB Lochwinnoch), and visitors can also go and watch/listen to the Working Voices exhibition in the main Linthouse building as well as exploring the droplets that tell stories from across the landscape when the QR code is scanned.”

Currently the boat is not open to visitors due to staffing issues but it will be looking to open in the near future – though a date is not certain yet.

The boat will be open to visits from the general public, schools, community groups, and organisations.

Bookings can be made by calling 01294 277 177.