Population 110 Sovereign state United Kingdom Local time Monday 3:06 PM | OS grid reference NR871442 Post town ISLE OF ARRAN Dialling code 01770 Civil parish Kilmory, Arran | |
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Weather 8°C, Wind W at 35 km/h, 75% Humidity | ||
Pirnmill (Scottish Gaelic: Muileann nam Piùirneachan) is a small village on the north-west coast of the Isle of Arran, Scotland. Pirnmill is within the parish of Kilmory.
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Map of Pirnmill, Isle of Arran, UK
Pirnmill is flanked by several clachans, including Whitefarland to the south, Thunderguy to the north, and the original settlement of Penrioch (Scottish Gaelic: Peighinn Riabhach) above the village.
Etymology
Unlike many of the other villages on the island, Pirnmill's etymology is not rooted in the Gaelic or Norse heritage of Arran; rather Pirnmill takes its name from a mill that historically stood there until 1840, which produced pirns (wooden rods used in weaving) for Clarks (latterly Coats) of Paisley, which was operational from 1780 to 1840.
History
Early inhabitants of Pirnmill made a living through seasonal herring fishing or crofting, but later the village became a tourist destination, with many Clyde steamers plying between Glasgow and Campbeltown stopping at the pier constructed there. This practice declined after the construction of a pier at Lochranza on the north of the island; the extreme majority of tourists now visit by road. Pirnmill no longer has a jetty or a harbour; boats are simply pulled up the beach.
Economy
Pirnmill has a church, village shop, restaurant and a B&B. Two miles north of the village, halfway between Pirnmill and Catacol, there is an ancient burial ground close to the shore at Rhubha Airigh Bheirg.