What was the trade of Beith?

In the eighteenth century it was noted that "History is silent on the trade of Beith"

When witches were more numerous it was noted that Beith witches were always "dreigh of drawing"!

Beith was a small country town but was large enough for its own market. In 1610, however, local politics was raised and an act passed prohibiting its Sunday market as it was affecting trade in other towns such as Irvine. Beith ingenuity however, got round this. It changed its market day to a "Setterday". Goods traded included hydes, wool, skins, meal, malt, flesh and all kinds of small wares.

Beith was of sufficient size to have had banks since the 17th Century. Not all demonstrated strong financial acumen. in 1694 Francis Montgomerie of Giffen, Beith invested £1000 in the notorious Darrien scheme to establish a Scottish colonial footing in Central America.

Slightly less conventionally, however, it was well known that the inhabitants of Beith were noted smugglers and illicit distillers.

Beith became a depot for all sorts of goods. So much so that it was said that they began to think of smuggling as being as lawful as any other trade. The main commodities were spirits, tobacco and tea.

This reached its heyday in 1773 when the records of the Custom House in Irvine note that 40 or 50 armed men from Beith made an attack on that establishment and carried off a considerable quantity of brandy, rum and tea.

More legitimate business came with the industrial revolution and the textiles boom had a significant effect on Beith. It started with the processing of flax and in the 1780's Beith had a large silk trade.

In more recent years it was famous for its Beith-craft furniture.