irvine harbour is home to a unique and distinctive building which marked the tide level. it was built in 1906 and devised by martin boyd, the harbourmaster at that time. the automatic tide signalling apparatus indicated the tide's state in two ways depending on the time of day. during daylight, the level was marked with a ball and pulley system attached to the mast. at night, a number of lamps marked the tidal level. unfortunately the building fell into some disrepair and the mast partially dismantled. in 2013 an initiative by coastwatch scotland, a voluntary coastal monitoring and safety organisation, got underway in an attempt to turn the building into a watch tower for the benefit of the people of irvine and visitors. in november 2016 the first stage was completed with an overall roof installed, new windows, a new door, the building re-painted and a radio aerial installed.