Kelp is seaweed and in the late 1800’s, early 1900’s, this used to be gathered, more often than not by the women and children of the area, and laid out to dry on low stone walls. Once dried it was then burnt at the shore in a kiln made of sea boulders. The resulting ash was sent off to be used in the manufacture of soap, glass and in the bleaching process.
Later in the 1900’s it was also found that kelp contained iodine which then became a major export. The chemical was used in medicine and photography. Much of the kelp was exported to Scotland.

The industry died out in the 1930’s. However, some of the circular stone walls, which formed the kilns, can still be found along the coast. Have you come across any of these kilns? There are some differences of opinion on what kelp is. Some people call the seaweed kelp whereas others call kelp the ash that resulted from the burning of the seaweed.

The photograph shows all that remains of one such kiln on the North Antrim coast. Do you know what other uses kelp has been put to? Share your knowledge......