By james art 
The exterior of the A-listed Victorian Linthouse, which is home to Scotland’s nationally recognized maritime heritage collection, will be lit up from today (Tuesday 5 November) until Remembrance Sunday 10 November and for Armistice Day evening on Monday , November 11.
The nationwide ‘Light Up Red’ campaign is a key part of the Shotish Poppy Appeal, with around 200 landmarks taking part, from museums, theaters and cathedrals to bridges and lighthouses, as well as public buildings and private homes.
Stuart Rich, visitor services manager at the museum, said: “We are delighted to light Linthouse in red to help raise awareness of the Scotch Poppy Appeal once again and show our support for the armed forces community.
“Built as the machine shop of Alexander Stephen and Sons in Govan in 1872 and spanning over 40,000 square feet, Linthouse is an impressive sight every day, but to see it lit up is pretty special and we hope it will help spread the message of the Scotch poppy. ”
Linthouse features some of Scotland’s most historic vessels, the country’s largest collection of shipbuilding tools and engineering, and inventions that have influenced maritime history around the world.
Ships include the MV Spartan, Scotland’s only surviving Scottish ‘poofer’ (which visitors can now enter to see a permanent exhibition of puffers); SY Carola, probably the oldest seagoing steam yacht in the world; MV Kyles, the oldest Clyde-built ship still sailing in the UK and recognized as one of Britain’s most important historic ships; Powerful, centennial William Fife III sailing yacht, believed to be one of only 50 Fife sailing yachts in the world; and the BOLT18, an all-electric boat and yacht tender that holds the current British water speed record.
The museum on Harbor Road, Irvine is open daily from 10am to 5pm.