|
|
||||
|
|
|||||
Located in South Ayrshire, Scotland, near Glasgow, Prestwick is one of the country's most ancient cities. Founded in the 10th century, the city has deep agricultural roots. Agriculture - supplemented by cotton weaving and shoemaking - was the area's leading industry until the first British Open Golf Championship was held there in 1860. Thereafter, golfing and tourism became the town's chief source of revenue. Three-quarters of a century later, a training airfield was established in Prestwick, which developed rapidly with the onset of World War II. Years later, Scottish Aviation built a factory there and incorporated the hangars and terminal building from the earlier era. When Scottish Aviation merged with British Aerospace, BAE used the Prestwick facility for its regional aircraft division. It was also employed to make components for Airbus and Boeing, which it continues to do today as part of Spirit AeroSystems.
