Coastal Communities Museum
A volunteer led local museum in North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland

Object Of The Month

Welcome to Object of The Month, a new way to enjoy the Coastal Communities Museum when the museum is closed. We will be selecting some of our most interesting objects and artefacts to share.

The ‘Piv’ Mirror Ball

The ‘Piv’ Glitter Ball ©Judith Booth

The ‘Piv’ Mirror Ball ©Judith Booth

The Pavilion or The ‘Piv’, North Berwick

The Pavilion or The ‘Piv’, North Berwick

Jimmy Shand and his Orchestra at The Pavilion ©ELMS

Jimmy Shand and his Orchestra at The Pavilion ©ELMS

The ‘Piv’ Mirror Ball

Mirror balls were common on dance floors in the 1960s and 1970s. This mirror ball was donated to the museum by Ian Watson and it hung above the dance floor in The Pavilion, North Berwick.

The Pavilion, or ‘The Piv’ as it was fondly known, opened on 30 June 1930 in North Berwick harbour next to the outdoor pool. It was a great venue that hosted a variety of entertainment and events for the whole community including children’s shows, cabaret entertainers, dances and concerts.

Big stars such as Jimmy Shand and the Tartan Lads performed there and people travelled from far and wide to events at The Piv. It was ‘the place’ to socialise, especially for young people.

As tastes changed the popularity of ‘The Piv’ declined. It closed and sat empty for a long time. In 1998 it was demolished but left behind many good memories. The Seabird Centre was later built on the old site.

Poster advertising Bill McCue at The Pavilion, North Berwick

© ELMS

Poster advertising events at The Pavilion, North Berwick

© ELMS

© ELMS

© ELMS

Judith BoothCoastal Communities Museum