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Kilbirnie Huts in Paddockholm Road

by John Brennan 7 May 2009
John Brennan says:

My Gran - Mary Brennan (maiden name - Milliken) lived in wooden huts opposite the Scout Hut/Fire Station. I think there were three??? I have just found out that her nieces Lillian and Olive Milliken lived next door.

Does anybody know about these huts when they were built, why they were built, what they looked like inside?

Can anyone help, really would like a picture of the Huts?


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18 May 2009 | 4:00:17

Irvin Clifford says

Don't remember the huts but I do remember all the rows of air raid shelters in that field with the bridge going to the Dennyholm Mill

6 Jun 2009 | 9:48:25

catherine gibson says

In the 'Old Kilbirnie Book' by E J Steele on page 14 there is a picture of Munroe Drive, right at the bottom of the drive you will find the huts. It's not a very clear one but it may give you an idea of what they looked like.

1 Jul 2009 | 11:22:54

John Brennan says

Is the 'Old Kilbirnie Book' still available? I have found out that the huts were staff housing built by the Knox's Mill round about 1916. There were possibly more that three (maybe a maximum of seven). Each hut was divided into two, one family in each. It turns out that my Gran Brennan (nee Milliken) with family and her brother A Milliken with family both lived there around the 1940s.

I think that the air raid shelter was nearer to the River Garnock end of that grassed area.

21 Jul 2009 | 9:03:48

Carole Sturgiss says

The book is called "Old Kilbirnie and Glengarnock" by Elizabeth J Steele, published in 2001. You may be able to get a copy on Amazon.

11 Oct 2009 | 10:05:07

Robert Graham says

John thanks for the memory. I remember as a lad being taken along to visit my auntie Greta Martin (Margaret Malloch) in her wee house in the huts. This would be about 1956/7 and it was very wee as I remember. All her world seemed to be in one room, her bed, a couple of chairs and a table. I remember my parents telling of the huts having a problem with water rats coming from the Garnock and the Dye Hole (remember that). I have heard it suggested a few times that the huts were also used during the second world war for displaced Poles and Italians but my father says that this is untrue. Anyhow thanks again for the memory. By the way I remember being taken to the George Picture House (Garnock Valley Buses, now flattened) from the huts around the same time to see King Kong. For the record, Aunt Greta is still alive (88) and living in Edinburgh.

19 Dec 2009 | 8:22:33

John Brennan says

Hello John....from the comments on this page you must be my long lost cousin who joined the navy many years ago and I never heard from since that date.
The good news is I have a copy of the book you are searching for "Old Kilbirnie and Glengarnock" please feel free to email me your contact details to the following address......brachtthunder@aol.com......alternatively you can call or text me and I will call you back please include your number in your email be it either mobile or home number......I wont risk putting it on the site in case of crank calls.
Do you still sing Elvis songs?? Hope this helps in some small way.

Hope to hear from you soon.

John Richmond Brennan aka Richie xxxx

14 Feb 2010 | 7:28:15

John Brennan says

Hi Robert Graham,

I'm trying to remember a face to the name, as it strikes a chord. My Granny Brennan (nee Milliken), had a son my Uncle Hugh Brennan and he married Hannah Martin were they related - your Margaret Martin (nee Malloch).

Yes I do remember the old picture house as it used to show matinee movies -
I remember that Paterson's buses used to use it. Both my Aunt Jean Brennan (nee Smith) and my Aunt Hannah Brennan (nee Martin) worked for Paterson's as Conductresses.
JohnB

26 Mar 2010 | 9:02:57

Robert Graham says

Hi John
Sorry for the delay in writing, I have been a bit under the weather for a while. I spoke to my parents and they do not think that they are related but will ask other relatives for info. I think that I remember your aunts on the buses, the clippies, Ah! there's a memory, perhaps we should start a thread on this but it would perhaps open a can of worms, like, that woman cuffed ma lugs and many replies of, aye and ye were needin' it.
Happy days John.
Take care.

16 Apr 2010 | 4:14:09

Rita Marshall says

Hi John,
I remember the huts and knew some of the people who lived in them.
Bessie and Bill McMillian you might know some of their family they had three sons and a daughter, Rab Sammy. Billy and Janice, who all live in Kilbirnie. The family moved to the Milton Housing Scheme and lived next to our family at Ladyland Drive. I have a book written by Joy Steele but its title is The Three Baronies it is very interesting to read and has old photos of the town too.

24 Apr 2010 | 12:09:26

John Brennan says

The Mii

24 Apr 2010 | 12:22:26

John Brennan says

My Dad's cousins both Milliken's are still with us, ( they are in their 80s). They moved away in the 1940s and have been trying to get a picture of the huts, no luck so far. My Grannie Brennan was their Auntie Mary. It would be great if you could post the photos on this site. Could you do that please?

1 May 2010 | 5:00:23

John Brennan says

Hi Rita, My niece Karen McMillan lives up that neck of the woods. I will need to speak to her to see if she knows you. The big drive is to get a good photo of the huts and would be extremely happy if I could give my Dad's Cousins (Big Boab Brennan now deceased) a picture of the huts. All I have is the front porch with my Granny Brennan (nee Milliken) and my Uncles Hugh & William holding me (1950just a few months old babe.)

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