Boatbuilding & Repairing firm Alexander Noble & Sons has received a visit from South Scotland MSP Brian Whittle. Since Alexander Noble founded the business in 1946, the boatyard has built an enviable reputation building and maintaining a wide range of boats. It has built around 90 wooden fishing boats as well as a range of steel vessels for fish farming and other commercial businesses.
Today, Noble’s has grown to have over 30 employees with third and fourth generations of the family still working in the business. Many of its staff have spent their entire careers working for Nobles, building up decades of combined experience. Over time, the yard has become more involved in maintaining commercial boats. Until recently when the RNLI decided to do all its maintenance in house, Nobles was also one of only three firms in the UK who looked after the planned maintenance program on the RNLI’s all-weather fleet.
Many of the boats built by Nobles of Girvan are still at sea today. Most of them carry a unique thistle emblem, which has adorned vessels built at Nobles since the 1950s.
During his visit, Brian met with Alastair Noble, the third generation of the family to run the yard, who gave him a brief history of the business before showing him round. Brian also had the opportunity to observe a boat being pulled out of the water for maintenance.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“Noble’s has a long and fascinating history in Girvan so it’s no wonder their yard is something of a local landmark. It was a pleasure to meet with Alastair and other members of the team. Ayrshire has an impressive maritime history so it’s exciting to see the traditions and skills of boat building still have a home in Girvan. It’s great to see a business like Nobles, which has endured for so many years continuing to provide not just jobs, but lifelong careers for many in the local community and I look forward to seeing how the business continues to develop in the future.”
Third generation of the family in the business, Alastair Noble said:
“We were delighted to meet Brian and show him something of what goes on here. I was very pleased that he found the visit of interest.”
