Our Town
Introduction
Positioned on the South side of the River Clyde, about 24 miles west of Glasgow, is the district of Inverclyde. Inverclyde consists of several towns and villages, of which Greenock is the biggest.
A view of Greenock from the Lyle Hill.
Famous as the birthplace of James Watt, "The Father of the modern steam engine", Greenock has changed and evolved during its long history. From a small fishing village, where herring was the main produce, through ship, submarine and oil rig construction, Sugar refining, woollen mills, pottery manufacture and more recently the "Sunrise" industries of electronics and computer manufacturing.
And with a local population highly trained and skilled, each of these Inverclyde industries became "centres of excellence" in their own right.
The statue to the workers of Inverclyde, depicts men dragging a propeller.
Sadly that has not stopped the demise of these industries and few are now left in the area. Some might say that at the start of the 21st Century, the area is again at the threshold of another major change, with electronic manufacture in particular, relocating a little further East along with other traditional manufacturing.
Who knows what the future holds and what direction Greenock will take in the new century.
Location
Positioned as it is, on the border between the Lowlands and the Highlands of Scotland, it is situated in an area of natural beauty and the views across the river are stunning.
Weather
It is only a pity that the weather does not always share this quality, and it is not uncommon to see a "four seasons" day, where snow/sleet, rain, sun and gales move through in quick succession from the Atlantic Ocean, and the Irish sea during the winter months.
But for the most part it is the rain that can put a dampener on plans.
The area is not without its' problems, but what large town doesn't have it's unique problems and these should not put you off visiting the area and Scotland in general!
AND NOW........THE GALLERY!
Below are a few pictures which attempt to give you a taste of Inverclyde.
The Cross of Lorraine, or the Free French War memorial. This stands near the top of Lyle Hill and commemorates the French sailors who died in the Battle of the Atlantic during World War 2. Click on the picture to see larger version. |
Another view of The Cross of Lorraine. |
The View across to Innellan and the Holy loch from Lyle Hill. Click on Image to see larger version. |
The QE2, sails past Fort Matilda point, Greenock, surrounded by smaller craft after one of her visits to Greenock. Over the Summer months, the area is visited by some of the grandest and most modern Cruise Liners, and the area acts as a gateway to some of the best areas Scotland has to offer. |
Another view from the Lyle Hill this time featuring Cardwell Bay, Gourock and Dunoon in the far distance. Click on Image to see larger view. |
The same view at Sunset. |
Just one of the many different types of vessels built in Inverclyde.
Update:- This rig is now called Ocean Guardian, and is currently operated by Diamond Offshore, in the North Sea. |
 A view from the Trig point on Earnhill looking towards Dunoon and the Holy Loch. |
The Gourock to Dunoon ferry. Click to view larger version. |
 The Town of Greenock as viewed from Earnhill. |
The West Coast Trojans American football team, wearing red, in action against Glasgow Tigers. Click to view larger version. |
Greenock's Victoria Tower at night. |
The Past
Still, as the photographs here show, Greenock and Inverclyde is a place of stunning natural beauty and great historical interest, not just to the locals, but to many ex-pats and to hundreds of families through-out the world whose descendants left from the areas many harbours to voyage, and begin lives in the new worlds.
The area is still rich with history and links to the past, and has played its' part in shaping vital points in the history of Great Britain and the modern world.
Come and see for yourself.
