From "THE GUIDE BOOK TO THE CUMBRAES" W. LYTTEIL, M.A, 1886

The Old Harbour is at the head of the steamboat pier, and was, about the middle of the last century, excavated from the solid white sandstone rock, the great slabs or blocks of stone having been quarried on behalf of the Government in order to supply building materials for use in the construction of the harbour of Portpatrick, in Galloway.

As the stream called the Millburn ran down the slope of what is now Cardiff Street into the sea at this spot, it naturally came about that the residents on the island designated this newly-formed harbour "the Millport,"-so distinguishing it from the Foule-port on the west, and from Portloy on the Farland-side. Millburn House stands stands near the site of the old cornmill, and Millbrae is the upper portion of Cardiff-street.

From a geological point of view this section of the coast-line must have been very remarkable. Immediately south of the then site of the present old harbour rose an elevated boss, or somewhat rounded mass of rock which, called Craiglee, or the hoary crag, became completely insulated by the periodical influx of the tide; and, strange to relate, there stood upon this swelling rocky eminence what the old people of the last generation used to call a Changehouse. This was the tavern of the locality, to which some of the strong-armed quarrymen might at times resort and discuss the news of the day over a pot of ale. Could fancy prevail to fill up the picture and describe the accessories of this primitive alehouse, we might find it a rival to Goldsmith's wayside inn. Were sailors' trophies there, "wisely kept for show" upon the aumrie shelf or adorning the mantelpiece, shells from the Orient of many a pearly hue, a dried flying-fish that seemed to have just alighted on the top of a brass candlestick, and a great black-beetle or scarabaeus resting on its fellow at the other end of the shelf; while between the two last-named did there not stand a pair of fine walrus tusks, the tips of which came into contact and formed a high pointed arch over a lovely rose-coloured tuft of West Indian coral?

The present George Hotel stands on the site of the old changehouse.

The hotel has seen many changes over the years and this year is undergoing even more changes as the present owners are refurbishing the hotel to provide increased, enhanced accommodation & facilities.

This old photograph shows the Hotel when what is now part of the upstairs bar was a balcony.

Does anyone have any other old photograhs of the Royal George Hotel to share?