The Big Idea | Hidden Ayrshire #14

Share your memories of the Big Idea below in the comments 👇
00:00-00:15 Intro
00:15-00:26 Title Sequence
00:26-01:29 Setting the Scene
01:29-02:41 Before the Big Idea
02:41-03:23 Creation of the Big Idea
03:23- 04:38 What Went Wrong?
04:38-05:15 After Closure
05:15-06:10 Future
06:10-06:32 Ending
06:32-07:11 Thanks & Credits
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[@Bo88y22]

A bigger travesty was The Magnum Centre. This was a state of the art leisure centre back in the day. People would travel from near and far to visit it. It had indoor bowling green, swimming pools, cinema, ice rink and much more. Irvine council put on things like the Irvine harbour festival. They were forward looking and attracted many tourists to the area. Sadly that has all gone pear shaped. For some reason councils nowadays price them selves out of business.

[@TVAyrshire]

We’ve been talking about doing a film on the magnum! Think it holds a lot of memories for anyone in Ayrshire 👍 thanks for watching, we’ve a few other films in the series you might like so check out our channel

[@flaw3dgenius222]

​@@TVAyrshire Ayrshire and Glasgow

[@petertaylor7134]

I lived on Arran as a child and going to the Magnum was a treat that we always loved. Sad to see it shut.

[@loyalpiper]

​@@TVAyrshire my mother used to work there with KA leisure and still does at the other venues. Anyone who worked there knew the end was comming, it was starting to come apart behind the scenes she still tells me that the portal cant compare with the magnum.

[@graememckay9972]

Closest thing to a water park that Scotland ever had. Magnum gone, Dundee pool with flumes gone, Edinburgh Commonwealth flumes gone, Livingston excite recently closed, so as far as I know that leaves time capsule Coatbridge and Hamiltons water palace or splash zone (can't remember it's name) as the only 2 pools with flumes.

[@ryanbenson171]

I live in Sheffield but my granny lived in Irvine, I went to The Big Idea a few times when we visited at Christmas, I remember the theatre, and the robot that would spell out words with blocks, and the vending machine that gave you a wee kit to build, good times

[@TVAyrshire]

Yeah I remember the kits too! Amazing to memories from someone coming from so far away, thanks for watching

[@KidThomsonMediaProductions]

I loved the Big Idea

[@allancopland1768]

Although I live in Paisley, I did visit The Big Idea but I have never visited the Science Centre in Glasgow. I've flown my drones over to the big idea a few times too for a nosey. I call it 'The Telly Tubby House'. It's sad that it hasn't been re-purposed.

[@TVAyrshire]

It is like the telly tubby house!0

[@deanmcmillan_3010]

Is there a clear way to get in?

[@adidasaddict2023]

​@@deanmcmillan_3010I if you get a paddle boat can get over that way or get your arm bands on a swim over 👍🏻

[@martinsloan3972]

I worked in the Scottish maritime museum when it opened. A few of my colleagues left to work there. I visited at least once or twice. The setting on the peninsula and the bridge added to the anticipation of what was inside, and it didn’t disappoint.

[@TVAyrshire]

Thanks for sharing Martin 👍

[@thedave7760]

@@TVAyrshire What happenned to the bridge? I assume †he centre was taken out to allow large boats to pass. Was it a swing or draw bridge to begin with?

[@DeclanMBrennan]

@@thedave7760 It looks to me like a section rolled back towards the museum side and it was left open.

[@saikou6859]

⁠​⁠@@thedave7760 it’s a retractable bridge n before the blocked the beginning of the bridge at Irvine side people in the summer use to walk to the end bit at the water where u have the gap n jump off it into the water just like how u sometimes see people jumping off piers into the water

[@allwrighty100]

@@DeclanMBrennan Yes, I'm sure that's the case.

[@Dotman-mn8rb]

Really good video. I've lived in Irvine since 2010, and had wondered what this building was for a long time, it just looked so ominous from a distance, especially given how difficult it is to get to, (I have tried multiple times it has to be said)! I see news articles all the time about how Irvine harbour is supposedly due to be re-developed, but it's been years and nothing has happened. I also think it's quite ironic how the Ardeer Primary School time capsule is buried in what is effectively another capsule!

[@TVAyrshire]

Thanks so much 😁 hopefully we’ll see something happening with the harbour soon. That’s a good point about the time capsule!

[@periurban]

Nobel's Explosives was actually a subsidiary of ICI. I had a friend who worked there, with some hair raising tales to tell of explosions gone wrong. I worked in the Scottish Land Register at the time when the land was being transferred to the Big Idea, and I mapped the boundaries of the land ownership. Sad to see it now abandoned.

[@BernardSamson-hf6fc]

As with all Government spending, the idea is to waste money, not value for money. If this had been solely a private venture, it would have had a lot more planning, and would probably have succeeded. Shame it does seem a rather good idea, but perhaps wrong location. Imagine building the Royal Maritime Museum in Southend, rather than Greenwich, it might be a fantastic venue, but no historic links. Great video guys.

[@TVAyrshire]

Thanks so much, if you liked this check out the other videos in the series: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bH-lZmSno8p4qJosi=iWC7U5fc1M4vQW28

[@loganford3921]

I remember seeing it getting built every Sunday with my dad eating McDonalds while my family was doing the weekly shopping in 1999. I finally got to see it in 2014 and put up a video on my William Wallace KZbin channel which I can t access now for some reason since 2017.

[@funnythat9956]

Sad story. We took the kids a couple of times when it opened. But it was not a place you would go back to again and again. So once all the population of Ayrshire had seen it, I suppose attendences dwindled. And you cannot make such a museum so expensive that it carries itself financially; nobody will come. Without subsidy it is doomed. It is a shame that no other use could be found for the building, which was quite nice.

[@TVAyrshire]

Yes I think that’s a great summary of the issue! Thanks for watching, check out some of our other videos in the ‘Hidden Ayrshire’ series; kzbin.info/www/bejne/bH-lZmSno8p4qJosi=iWC7U5fc1M4vQW28

[@steveholmes11]

Yes, probably not quite large enough to reward return visits. It's a pity that all Irvine's attractions (Maritime museum and Magnum) weren't able to combine with a sort of "One day access" ticket.

[@user-hl6th7ev9w]

I an Irvine man and took my then 8yr old daughter and 3yr old son about 3 weeks after it opened. It was a good day out but I also remember that it was an expensive day out and I believe that had something to do with it's visitor numbers dropping as well.

[@TVAyrshire]

Yeah I can imagine it would be quite expensive, remember the gift shop?

[@cjmastablasta]

You would think with it being in Ayrshire they'd throw some good rave parties in it 😜

[@TVAyrshire]

Now there’s an idea!

[@user-pf3ye6yi9n]

It was the "in thing" at the time, the idea that you could create a Millennium Dome style visitor attraction randomly for no particular reason and thousands of people would pay to see it indefinitely. The public quickly wised up but so much money was wasted which could have made a huge difference to established museums and threatened artifacts. Within sight of this white elephant the Carrick / City of Adelaide was rotting away at the time and was only eventually saved by an Australian group.

[@TVAyrshire]

That’s a really good point, there was a lot of millennium fervour! I remember the millennium dome was even a bit of a flop for a while!

[@user-pf3ye6yi9n]

It was a flop as conceived, only later as a venue did it become viable having the advantage of being in London. The Millennium lottery money was only available to new projects that wouldn't otherwise have happened, which inevitably means things nobody really wanted or needed.

[@abbiaca-3288]

Very good and poetic video, please keep up the good quality of videos!

[@TVAyrshire]

Thanks so much, we’ve got another Hidden Ayrshire coming out soon

[@BlairMcNally]

Everytime I go down to Irvine beach I wonder about this! Thanks mate, very well produced 💪🏻

[@TVAyrshire]

Thanks Blair, appreciate it 👍

[@allwrighty100]

I remember a few good days there when my kids were young. It was a terrific place for kids and adults alike. The Science Centre in Glasgow, as mentioned in the video, saw to it's demise, such a pity. I guess part of the problem was any local person probably wouldn't go there more than once or twice and school trips would be easier to Glasgow. I grew up in Irvine and have returned to live after 30 odd years but the Big Idea is one of the good memories of visiting family years ago. Nice video, well made. Subscribed.

[@TVAyrshire]

Thanks for your lovely comment. It was a great venue, I think even today the architecture is striking, but as you say there is the inherent problem of returning visitors. Thanks for your support, be sure to check out our other videos particularly in the Hidden Ayrshire series 👍

[@williambolton4698]

This is eerily similar to a white elephant that Aberdeenshire council built in 1997 called 'Archaeolink'. Both buildings even look similar. The local authority invested millions of taxpayers money into the property. It opened in 1997 but it only lasted for 4 years before it closed its doors for good. They used a 'star' architectural company to produce the designs. They were warned that they were producing a white elephant but ignored the warnings and pressed on with the project. The derelict, graffiti covered Archaeolink building was recently sold to a private buyer but the details, price and future use of the property are being kept from the public. You may believe that this is to spare the councils blushes but who can say for sure?

[@TVAyrshire]

Ah that’s such a shame. I don’t think you can fault the ambition of these projects but sad to see them left to become derelict. There’s no easy answer to a solution but would be great to see them brought back into use locally

[@Ibsonlovesyou]

I went as a kid, I’m 34 now. I liked it. I took my own kids to the science centre in Glasgow last year. I’m from Wales but used to visit family just outside Glasgow.

[@TVAyrshire]

Yeah I remember going and it was good fun. The idea itself was good, but location and sustainability weren’t quite right! Great to hear from someone coming from a bit of distance away. Thanks for watching 👍

[@happysporran]

what a superb video

[@TVAyrshire]

Thanks so much 😁

[@royston600]

Beyond belief!

[@TVAyrshire]

Yeah hard to believe!

[@SnazzBot]

Reminds me of the ecos center in Ballymena.

[@TVAyrshire]

I’ve never heard of that but I imagine it must be a similar thing, trying to do something ‘big’ for a coastal town

[@grsfhhytff]

I alway thought that was really strange. Had no clue about it's history till now.

[@TVAyrshire]

Glad we can help shed some light on a bit of Ayrshire history!

[@1nikg]

I was inside it a couple years ago, nature has taken it over, with vines growing from the ceiling. And a post apocalyptic feeling😅

[@TVAyrshire]

Would be a great film setting 🎥

[@1nikg]

@@TVAyrshire definitely. I thought it was perfect for an abandoned post in a jurassic setting 👍

[@MountainLion96]

For a while i thought this place was a weird dream i had as a child

[@TVAyrshire]

😂 I can understand that

[@iaindouglas6861]

I flew a DJI drone through the gap in the bridge. That was the last I saw of it. I believe a seagull attacked it and it’s ditched 10 feet deep in the river.

[@TVAyrshire]

No way! Those seagulls are vicious ☠️

[@mrikoantal]

I visited this place when I was young, when we were visiting my grandparents. I don't remember the inside in much detail, but seeing it again is oddly nostalgic

[@TVAyrshire]

Yeah there’s a lot of nostalgia for this place, mainly happy memories here I’m sure! Thanks for watching

[@ericajohnson3504]

I remember taking our now grown up kids there, we had a fantastic day out. Always meant to go back as there was so much to do it was worth at least 2 trips. Still have the photos you got from some of the exhibits.

[@TVAyrshire]

Yeah it was a great place, amazing that you still have the photos too! Thanks for watching

[@connormeechan5784]

Went here as a kid. I loved it.

[@TVAyrshire]

Yeah it was a great experience as a kid! Thanks for watching 🎥

[@connormeechan5784]

@@TVAyrshire defo was. So was the Magnum full day out in just the 2 places👌🏻keep up the good work mate!

[@andrewwmacfadyen6958]

Potential for a James Bond movie set

[@TVAyrshire]

Definitely could see it! A horror/sci-fi too

[@acfbrown1]

I live in Edinburgh. I went to it in the year 2000. The only time I've ever been to Irvine because my Dad was picking up relatives from Prestwick Airport. Never had any reason to go to Ayrshire let alone Irvine at all since.

[@TVAyrshire]

There’s lot of great wee places to explore in Ayrshire. Worth popping over in the summer for a day out in Largs/Millport 👍👍

[@ashlangmer3618]

Another council back handed scam

[@knockshinnoch1950]

I have great memories of visiting the Big Idea just after it opened in 2000 with my son who was 9. It was impressive. I had no idea it had closed!

[@TVAyrshire]

I think it was a bit ahead of its time in a lot of ways! Thanks for sharing

[@raymondporter2094]

That post could easily have been written by me and my wife as we took our son there (and he would have been 9yrs old in 2000). It was a good day out. We'd been camping at Culzean Castle, having come up from North Yorkshire. My wife has juSt reminded me that all 3 of us completed a construction kit bought there. A pity but probably no proper business model preceded the opening of the Big Idea and without subsidies such an attraction requires people to make repeated visits. We made repeated visits to the National Railway Museum in York and the Royal Armouries in Leeds (had a season ticket there!) but most places you only want to visit once, and after you've been, a new audience has to be found.

[@user-ei4oj4eu2i]

It used to the old ICI & beechams plant inthe 70’s early 80’s. We grew up In Pennyburn, Kilwinning & if you walked the old farm roads you could see the plant in the distance & hear the whoomph of detonations most sundays. You could walk the entire length but had to stop @ the river that separated Ardeer beach from Irvine beach! I’m sure there used to be a nudist beach there years ago lol😊. I haven’t been back there since the early 90’s (I think) but there used to be a dragon sculpture nr the Magnum centre. I don’t know if you’ve done a history of Kilwinning, but that place has a lot to offer in history…culturally maybe not so much lol😅

[@TVAyrshire]

Yes the dragon sculpture is still there! We actually walked the length of Ardeer beach for this, thankfully no nudists about 🤣 A history of Kilwinning would be fascinating I'm sure, even just the Abbey, will definitely add it to our 'to-do' list! Thanks for supporting

[@Ruggidscotsman]

Humble dryer probably cause this 😂😂😂😂

[@freeforester1717]

There are three main conditions to be met in order for a footfall dependent attraction to flourish. The first one is - location….

[@TVAyrshire]

Ha very true, can’t fault them for being bold but location location location

[@alandavidmcnaughton5641]

Very well done great video liked and subscribed

[@TVAyrshire]

Thanks, appreciate that 👍

[@johnsim3722]

Compliments on the quality of your mini documentary. I was there when the bridge was installed as my dad wanted to see it. It slides back to create that gap, allowing sailing boats through. If I recall correctly it was made by a Bristol company. The visitor numbers required were, in all honesty, far too high for Irvine regardless of the Glasgow Science Centre. Same thing happened with the sea life centre that was part of the Beach Park many years before. And it was on the wrong side of the river Irvine. It should have been placed next to the Magnum to compliment both. Like everywhere new, it would have massive numbers initially but those would always tail off. The only time I was in was to receive a John Logie Baird Award for innovation. It was an excellent facility for such presentations. But even then some of the displays weren't working, and that's criminal. You've got to keep everything functional. One thing that Gro has demonstrated is a desire in the area for a quality bistro. That alone could have kept the Big Idea going. Look at just about every garden centre and they're nothing more than an excuse to have a cafe somewhere to take old relatives to! But hiding the building, making people walk across a windy bridge (just like the Magnum had!) isn't a good start. You have to look at the visitor experience right from the moment they arrive on site. And the demolition of the Magnum was simply vandalism. It should have been renovated, but then the pool has been transformed in to a fun pool and it needed restored back to one you could go for a swim in. Fun areas should have been annexed rather than replaced the swimming the Magnum offered. And that awful entrance replaced with something on the ground floor! Many evenings and weekends were spent in the Magnum and it's missed.

[@TVAyrshire]

Thanks so much for your kind words John! I didn’t know there was a sealife centre at the harbour, has the building been demolished? We’ve been thinking about doing a separate video on the magnum itself, I think there’s a lot of people who have great memories of the place! Thanks so much for watching and commenting 👍

[@johnsim3722]

@@TVAyrshire The roundabout behind the toilets has a road that goes behind the dunes, which leads to a small car park. Just a bit further in was the sea life centre and I think the concrete foundation of it is still there (from what I can see on the satellite imagery on Google maps). The amount of activities I did at the Magnum is incredible. I seen shows and movies in the auditorium. I ice skated and went swimming with my brother so often, and he even did ice hockey whilst I did the scuba diving. We attended the motor show they had on and seen Thrust II.

[@TVAyrshire]

Ah yes I know where you’re talking about. Amazing to think that was there too. We might be looking for some contributors talking about their memories of the magnum, we’ll put a post out on our channel and socials too 👍

[@ptonpc]

I remember it being built and opened.

[@duffers29]

I always thought it would make a great concert venue.

[@TVAyrshire]

Yeah I could see that working!

[@lunis471]

Wowza what a video what a shame what happened to that bridge? I cant believe its all abandoned i hope it gets what it needs a serious injection of money and energy thanks for sharing this with us all 😊

[@TVAyrshire]

Thanks so much, hopefully it can be regenerated soon 👍👍

[@StevieScotty19]

I’m Irvine born and raised,I stay about 10 mins from Irvine beach,I remember when the big idea opened way back in 2000,Deep down a lot of people knew this place would never work but didn’t want to admit it,Take away the Glasgow science centre opening a year or two later,The actual location of where they built the big idea was terrible,Unless you drove you’d have to get a bus to Irvine cross and walk to the beach,And in the kind of weather we get,It just wasn’t viable,Basically the same thing happened to the magnum leisure centre,Great video,Really interesting and informative👍👍👍

[@TVAyrshire]

Thanks so much 👍 yeah have to agree about the location, seemed a cool idea but the reality was it’s not accessible! Be sure to check out our other videos in the Hidden Ayrshire series

[@Mitjitsu]

I visited it in 2000, while it was good. There's little reason to go back for a 2nd/3rd time.

[@TVAyrshire]

Yeah I remember that too, tough to keep it varied!

[@saikou6859]

Awesome video n it’s a hell of a treck to get there from stevenston end but it’s cool to see up close when I walked there but cld only walk around the fence was the closest I cld get

[@TVAyrshire]

Thanks so much! It was quite a trek 😂 wouldn’t recommend

[@thepunisher2063]

Im going to assume i was part of whatever went into the capsule. Although i have no memory of doing it, i was one of the people that went there with Ardeer primary school.

[@KevinMcMillan]

I use to love this place! GSC is nice but this place was special. It's a shame it never got used as anything else a few years back the fence / security pods were not around it you could get up on top of the grass roof. Like you said everything was still inside and untouched. Shame the building is huge and could have many possibilities to be something new and drive some life back into that area.

[@TVAyrshire]

Yeah agreed! Would love to see something happen with it but it would need serious investment with the aim of being sustainable 💰 Thanks for watching

[@ShaksWD]

It’s a shame on how it’s closed. Used to love visiting the place when I was a kid. Great production!

[@TVAyrshire]

Thanks so much 👍 be sure to check out some of our other videos in the series kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYTJoYKXg7uWj7ssi=Vlblt8G-Nysa8iyY

[@HenrysAdventures]

Very interesting video! Shame it had all its custom taken away. I've subscribed!

[@stuarttownson5055]

Best thing about Irvine beach park is the car park used for dogging 😂

[@stuarttownson5055]

My mate FM loves that car park.

[@sawneybean9584]

Ave got to RIP that with my FPV Quad.........love your channel keep up the good work!

[@TVAyrshire]

Thanks so much Sawney ☠️

[@DeanWilliamDwyer]

I'm not sure Abdullah will even be able to read the message left in the time capsule if there is one. 😞

[@-robster-robster-]

My mate had a boat in irvine harbour and the boat club thats dwindled. The magnum centre is gone . New flats popping up hopefully the area is thriving again .... I done a wee drone vid over a tear ago across there and seen van in rear service entrance so there must be security or maintenance ongoing

[@TVAyrshire]

Yeah there’s big plans for the revamp of the harbour! And you’re right, we met the security guys when we were filming, nice guys just making sure no one gets hurt trying to access the space.

[@its_marc]

Never got there when it was open as only moved to Scotland in 2002 but have walked down to it and was surprised to see it’s as if they just shut the doors yesterday intending to go back. It should be sold and the money reinvested as obviously it’ll never be a commercially viable option to reopen it.

[@TVAyrshire]

Yeah it would be great to see something done with it! Thanks for watching and supporting 🙏

[@mharimcdonald131]

I was one of the children at the time who got to put something into the time capsule there was loads put in it

[@TVAyrshire]

Amazing, do you remember what you put in?

[@Conorguill]

A spot likes this needs a leader with incredible proactivity to get out there & keep getting out there to keep visitors coming

[@TVAyrshire]

Yeah very true, I think that’s sometimes a bit of a trap venues and organisations fall into though. Too dependent on 1 or 2 people and once they leave it can’t sustain. It’s difficult but the ideal outcome is a robust organisation that’s not depends on individuals and has great community support

[@user-jt4bv9xt1p]

Brilliant - but sad.

[@TVAyrshire]

True

[@user-el5hm8ij1b]

Well done

[@TVAyrshire]

Thank you, be sure to check out our others in the series kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYTJoYKXg7uWj7ssi=Ko9-YbcIeanHwzNJ

[@sTaaaaaRx1]

It’s not missing the middle part of the bridge, the bridge is automated used to move to close the gap

[@TVAyrshire]

Yeah apologies on that it’s something we’ve learned since! Thanks for watching

[@williamlorimer060867]

I see the Big Idea every day from the Glass works so sad to see it fail 😢

[@TVAyrshire]

Hopefully one day it will be brought back into use 🙏 thanks for watching

[@VICERACTRIVOX]

Could there be a future possibility to build more infrastructure around the exhibition venue as to make it a STEM centric theme park & research institute complex?!

[@jimcool8658]

I can't believe what happened2 this I worked on that we were doing the plumbing and heating can't mind the day there was a total eclipse of the sun well done 4 making this video

[@TVAyrshire]

Wow what a great memory! Thanks for the kind words 👍

[@jimcool8658]

@@TVAyrshire can't believe that popped up by chance on you tube cheers pal

[@Spike20101000]

What I find crazy, is how much other development is going on around that area of Irvine. They could easily repurpose the building! They're developing an open theater area if I recall and they have that huge space just over the bridge opposite the plans!

[@TVAyrshire]

Yeah there’s a lot going on there, don’t know if the bridge creates an accessibility problem nowadays or just makes it less viable

[@thomasgoodman6679]

I went there once as a kid. Loved it. Shame to see this video tbh :(

[@TVAyrshire]

Hopefully it will be turned into something else one day, I know anyone who visited has great memories of the place 👍

[@RM.bricks]

I had a look on google earth and most of its surroundings on the site looks abandoned

[@TVAyrshire]

Yeah around it is mostly derelict/wasteland but still owned by the NPL group who have long held plans to develop the whole of the Ardeer Peninsula

[@SWR112]

Make a good flight museum or something. We have a habit in Scotland of ignoring the signs of it’s a shite idea as people push on with a bad idea and run with it thinking it’s the best thing since sliced bread. Feck sell it to a data company at least do something with it.

[@TVAyrshire]

Yeah I can imagine it being a flight museum! Thanks for watching

[@djscottdog1]

The indoor ski place is gone now aswell pitty cos that was pretty good and i used to go more than once a year

[@TVAyrshire]

Is that the one at Braehead? That’s ashame

[@djscottdog1]

@@TVAyrshire yeah

[@theyluvolaff]

It’s 2024 now, and god knows what will happen this I hope a miracle happens and it will reopen, but it might not which is sad because you only get this type of stuff at Glasgow so 😢

[@TVAyrshire]

Yeah who knows what will happen with it! Hopefully something will happen along with the great Harbourside plan

[@fontybits]

Overlooking the Big Idea - 2 elderly gentlemen from the area told me that for "environmental/toxic chemical reasons," it was agreed that nothing should ever be built on that piece of land. So what happened? They built a public attraction on it. Anyone have more info?

[@TVAyrshire]

Not too sure but probably something to do with the explosives factory being on the Ardeer peninsula.

[@DeclanMBrennan]

That's really quite sad, but it would make a great location for a Doctor Who story about a research base on some remote planet.

[@TVAyrshire]

Yeah it would be a great setting for loads of stuff! Thanks for watching 👍

[@ronniecree3325]

I remember there was a small sea aquarium across from it as we'll

[@TVAyrshire]

Wow I didn’t realise that!

[@1nikg]

It was called seaworld

[@NecessaryDramaAddictionNDA]

There was then it turned into a nightclub called the aquarium which shon lasers into the sky at night. I had forgotten about that totally

[@presstodelete1165]

Sad story, I hope it becomes an opertunity for another idea.

[@TVAyrshire]

Yes fingers crossed! Thanks for watching

[@gregjones8412]

What a shame. It seems symbolic of so much in this country--so much potential, but just abandoned and left to rot.

[@TVAyrshire]

Yes, hopefully one day something happens with it!

[@kennethmcintyre2847]

Never new the building existed and I live north of the Clyde.

[@TVAyrshire]

Yeah there’s so much history around, we’re hoping to cover a lot more ‘Hidden Ayrshire’ this year. Thanks for watching!

[@WolfoftheWoodsAirsoft]

Last year i took a walk on the Stevenston side to check it out only to be met by Security Guards and patrol vehicles. The whole area that was once the ICI facility is now being developed into a marina and housiing with the Big Idea becoming an aquarium. I chatted with the Security Guards getting this info from them before leaving the area, the area near the Stevenston side of the footbridge wasn't fenced off as then but was planned to be. So there may be a future for it...or not.

[@TVAyrshire]

Wow, another commenter mentioned a sea life centre on the other side of the water many years ago! Would be interesting i’m sure. Thanks for watching!

[@WolfoftheWoodsAirsoft]

I heard about that ! Where the Magnum lesiure centre used to be@@TVAyrshire

[@barrybark3995]

they should encourage camping in the dunes.Few yrs ago i was in Lithuania and camping was popular in ancient dunes on a similar remote spit

[@TVAyrshire]

That’s an interesting idea! I know there’s a lot of work to protect similar dunes nearby from erosion so as long as that was adhered to I think that would be nice

[@Nathanmcinnes1]

Sounds bad but a few years ago me and my pal went round the long way all the way round and people before had broken a window and alarm was on so me and my pal just went and explored late at night place is still untouched and the photos you see in this video is just the exact same what we seen was crazy that’s been like that since 2003 also was still big idea merchandise sitting there and took a big idea calculator that’s still in the packaging in my house but if you go over now there is a big green fence around the place and signs of dogs guarding the area. Also there is security they just ask what your doing and if u do get close they do say about no entry into the big idea and will be followed until u leave the land

[@TVAyrshire]

That was exactly our experience with the security, obviously they need to make sure people are safe but must be great memories exploring somewhere like that 👍 Thanks for watching

[@neiljohnson1773]

Why was the bridge cut off?

[@TVAyrshire]

It’s actually got a roller mechanism in it to allow boats to exit the harbour, and it’s been left that way as there’s no one to man it

[@FinlagganYT]

If you have a boat you can sail across to the other side or fly with a paramotor or micro helicopter for 1 person

[@TVAyrshire]

That’s true 😂 a catapult would also do the trick

[@FinlagganYT]

@@TVAyrshire that’s very true. And also if I had the money I would love to bring the big idea back to life, I wonder how people who invested in the project feel like because it’s all wasted, I’m sure a few visitors would be better than none at all, can anyone just enter the building now or are there security alarms to stop people entering even if abandoned.

[@GeminiShazza]

Perhaps if they opened up a camping site or similar it might have drawn visitors from the length and breath of the UK as well as from abroad. It does seem a tad way out just for a day trip.

[@TVAyrshire]

Yes I think that would be a really cool idea! There were similar plans for another abandoned Ayrshire site, we did a video on it too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bH-lZmSno8p4qJosi=iWC7U5fc1M4vQW28

[@tiawainwright2894]

My family live there, it did look better when I last visited.

[@staceymurray9644]

What about opening it back as a healing centre with swimming baths and an outdoor pool somewhere families can go and experience a scientific based healing experience with infra red saunas at a reasonable price people can afford there are many scientific healing technologies out there

[@TVAyrshire]

That sounds like a good idea, just need someone to make it happen!

[@staceymurray9644]

@@TVAyrshire yes we do maybe a kind millionaire could help out 😀

[@caledonianrailway1233]

Or a indoor karting track

[@taylormcinroy6658]

@@caledonianrailway1233that would be excellent !

[@NecessaryDramaAddictionNDA]

Both great ideas. Could say big ideas

[@kartherton]

Why is there a section missing out of the bridge? Thank you.

[@TVAyrshire]

Access for bigger boats from the harbour to the sea was still required occasionally so the bridge ‘rolled back in the middle’ to let them through. Once the Big Idea closed they just kept the mechanism open so boats had access and also I assume to ensure no-one could cross using the bridge!

[@kartherton]

@@TVAyrshire Thanks. Thats clever.

[@justinhamilton497]

The footbridge is retractable to allow boats to pass through.

[@TVAyrshire]

Good point!

[@loyalpiper]

The problem is its not been extended for years, infact since it was closed roughly about the time i was born i don't know if its even be rextended.

[@Tigrisszem27]

Only paperwork RUBBED!!!!!!Smoking suit Gangsters!!!!!💰💰💰💰💸💸💸💸

[@gavinferguson]

worked there from day one and we doing ok until the Glasgow science centre opened and offered free buses to school to visit them, that killed the main income stone dead. I was one of the bridge operators which was fun. look to the awful mpl company to see how they are stripping the nature reserve of sand for gold bumnkers across the UK and due to a wartime development order dont need any planning or local council oversite to do what they want..

[@TVAyrshire]

Must have been fun operating the bridge! Thanks for sharing those memories 👍

[@MrRcarney2010]

Needs Fact checked most of the money that got sunk into this place came from the national lottery, European investment, private investments only around 500k came from the Scottish government It was owned and operated by noble enterprises also the bridge is not missing the center section its simply retracted to its fully open position

[@TVAyrshire]

Thanks for your comment, that is a good point. We did some initial research but this could be looked into further 👍

[@bengladston5175]

I was waiting for you the get in a boat and go in 🙄

[@TVAyrshire]

Ha, we did actually walk the length of the Ardeer peninsula to see if we could get in front of it but there is security patrolling the area. Spoke with a couple of really nice guys, they’re just trying to keep it safe and make sure no-one gets hurt trying to access

[@MiamiCereal]

What did you do to the colour in the video. Irvine's water is not and has never been blue. It's always been greenish brown

[@TVAyrshire]

🤣 it was that day for some reason!

[@marcbiff2192]

Same as the eco bollox centre on Bodmin moor in Cornwall a complete and utter waste of a few million pounds.

[@the51project]

0:36 O love this artist's representation of a really large turd. It speaks volumes.

[@TVAyrshire]

😂

[@scotmclaughlin2113]

The Ayrshire council is struggling

[@maureendrennan9328]

It was a bit short sighted shutting down...

[@264Rockape]

So 😔

[@TVAyrshire]

Very true! Thanks for watching!

[@lars2007]

Would have made a good casino

[@TVAyrshire]

That would have been different!

[@TC-qd1zw]

Make the MPs pay for there failure.

[@JohnMullen-mm4jh]

i used to work in it, i found it good and exiting even the theatre was good, but just pointless, the big idea was a bad idea

[@jfrew1081]

The shit idea 😂

[@adamgrimsley2900]

Is Ayrshire abandoned now?

[@TVAyrshire]

Definitely not abandoned! There’s plenty of good things going on across Ayrshire, check out our channel to see lots more on that

[@maureendrennan9328]

Why do they not do something with it.........

[@TVAyrshire]

It's a shame nothing has happened with it for so long, what would you like to see it become?

[@maureendrennan9328]

It could reopen as same or similar (even history of Ayrshire and all industries, farming etc.) a family friendly venue with tearoom and a playparketc

[@maureendrennan9328]

The island area as paths and walks, benches etc.

[@maureendrennan9328]

You could easily have goats etc on island and close bridge at night for security.

[@maureendrennan9328]

In Germany all these things are free (table tennis tables, crazy golf 🎾). There's lots to do with it, with a little imagination.

[@Paul_C]

Can't help but wonder who made money from the failure. There is always someone who is profiting from it. Guess it isn't interesting enough for an indepth investigation, in particular the financial side of it. Failure is rampant in public and private funding schemes.

[@alanwann9318]

The transfer of public funds you mean

[@TVAyrshire]

It’s always difficult to strike a balance, it’s nice to have bold, innovate ideas like this but I do agree there should be more in place to protect public investment. The building now belongs to a private company which makes it difficult to see it getting redeveloped anytime soon

[@stevendimmock4791]

It's a shame. I think the big idea was a good idea, but just maybe it was in the wrong place. Who's to know? But any chance to spark the interest of science in children is a great opportunity, it's just a pity that the big idea no longer has that opportunity.

[@TVAyrshire]

Very true, I don’t think you can fault the ambition of the project!