Helensburgh, Scotland

View over the Clyde

Helensburgh owed its growth and appeal to its appealing seaside place regarding Clyde, combined with typically good transportation links and a large population within effortless travelling length.

Its beginnings date to about 1600, utilizing the building of Ardencaple Castle on west side of the city. Small trace of the castle today remains. In 1776 it was overbuilt with spa bathrooms by Sir Ian Colquhoun of Luss, and he also built a well planned city called after his wife, Helen. Its very early success ended up being closely tied to the ferry service he additionally organised, connecting Helensburgh to Greenock. This allowed those that could afford it to earn their lifestyle on south side associated with Clyde while residing regarding more desirable north lender.

One of the more striking functions on Helensburgh's waterfront is an obelisk dedicated in 1872 on second big name to feature in the town's history. This was Henry Bell, just who built the Europe's first commercial steamboat, the Comet, to carry clients from Glasgow to his wife's resort. And a pier to land all of them at. Not far away is a statue commemorating another famous child of Helensburgh, John Logie Baird, among the fathers of television.

Helensburgh's spot as one of the premier west shore hotels was guaranteed aided by the arrival of Glasgow, Dumbarton and Helensburgh railroad in 1858 with a section at the heart of the city.

Fleetingly afterward an innovative new pier had been built to offer the demand for steamer services to numerous locations on the Clyde, Loch extended and past. As well as in 1894 an extra, upper, railways station stumbled on Helensburgh, on the line from Glasgow to Fort William and Oban.

Helensburgh today consistently provide excellent rail backlinks to Glasgow, Fort William and Oban, though the passenger ferries that once ran across the Clyde ceased to managed in 2012. Furthermore preferably placed the motoring customer, close to Loch Lomond and a beneficial touring base for a large element of western Scotland.

The town provides a selection of shopping to match many tastes and needs, plus some good structure. The emphasize is Hill Home. This is finished in late 1903 when it comes to Glasgow publisher Walter Blackie and designed by the designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh. These days it really is when you look at the proper care of the National Trust for Scotland.

The west end of Helensburgh almost merges into the settlement of Rhu, that is one of many yachting centers on Clyde estuary. Right here you find the lifeboat and coastguard programs. Furthermore the area of a yearly New Year's swim in Clyde.