Abbeyton lofts - Mr & Mrs J Savage Racing Pigeons - Kilwinning Homing Society

Kilwinning Homing Society Pigeon Club

Kilwinning Homing Society was established around the year 1906 and the club members met in the "Miners Hut" to basket their pigeons and set clocks during the racing season. The birds in those days were transported by rail to the race points for liberation.

In 1956 due to the increasing popularity of the sport a new club hut was constructed on "Mill Bank" and then relocated to "The Buffs Park" in early 1960. The club hut remained there for 35 years until a tragic fire caused it's destruction in 1995. The members today now meet in new premises at "Ladyford Ave".

Kilwinning Homing Society Club Members

Sam Hall and John Clegg

Our two oldest members - Sam Hall & John Clegg

In the late 70's the membership of the club grew to 98 members. Sadly today only 20 members fly in K.H.S. Pictured on the left shows our two oldest members of the club today, Sam Hall who is now 78 years & John Clegg 66 years who both joined the club around 1947.

John Clegg and John McNeil holding their Federation 1st Prize Winners

John Clegg & John McNeil

Danny Cairney Federation Race Controller and Club Clock Convener

Danny Cairney clock controller for Kilwinning Homing Society pictured to the left can be seen setting the clocks for the first race of the 2000 season Clocks are set on a Friday night prior to the liberation of the birds on the Saturday. All members clocks are set and controlled by a Master Timer set to G.M.T. Variations are calculated in accordance with the Master Timer after the birds have been recorded, modern day clocks never vary much more than a few seconds in five days.

Our Club Secretary & Past Vice President of Ayrshire Federation John Davidson can also be seen in the background of the photograph

Possibly the greatest race flown to the U.K. pre-war was organised by the Irish Hospital Trust Ltd. It was open to every fancier in Great Britain and was named "The Dublin Pigeon Derby". The outright winner was a Blood Red Cock raced by William (Wull) Howie of Kilwinning Homing Society, and proprietor of the Star Inn, Kilwinning, there were over 30,000 pigeons in the convoy which were released on 28th May 1937. Mr Howie named his victor "Red Mac" who returned on a 1286 velocity for the 172 miles journey.

Red Mac won 1st prize of £600 which by far was the largest money prize for a pigeon race to that point in history. Hugh Kennedy who lived in Kilwinning had a part to play in his licence premises, Hugh attended round the lofts at the rear. Red Mac was a five year old however Wull was keen on a couple of two year old hens which had been showing early form, Hugh suggested putting the Blood Red in too. The thinking behind this was with such a huge entry the old boy would have a mind of his own and make of quickly. The rest is now history.