Port Glasgow a hidden Gem

Port Glasgow is the second biggest town in the council area of Inverclyde. It is directly to the east of Greenock. With the areas third town Gourock just couple miles down the river. I have lived here my whole life. Which means I might be slightly bias here but, I think Port Glasgow is a hidden gem that is often over looked in favour of big cities and bigger towns. So I have written this article to give travellers a small piece of insight into this little town.

A brief history of how Port Glasgow became the town it is today.

I think its important in this visitors guide to give a brief introduction to the town from the past so you can understand how the present town your visiting has taken shape.

Port Glasgow was Previously known as Newark and was a small fishing hamlet. However, unlike the nearby city of Glasgow, the river Clyde at Port Glasgow was deeper and easier to Navigate. Therefore it became the place where large ships docked to unload their goods. A remote Port for Glasgow was formed here in 1668. It became known as the New Port Glasgow. The name of the town was shortened to Port Glasgow 1775. I’m not sure of the reason for this but I have often wondered if it’s because in the West of Scotland we speak fast and in my opinion, we are lazy speakers that New Port Glasgow was too much of a mouthful for us. That of course is purely speculation on my part. The town is now more commonly referred to by locals as the Port or the dirty wee Port.

The town was home to many shipbuilders and dry docks from around 1762. It was a major player in the ship building industry until its decline in the 1980’s and 90’s. Only one ship yard remains both in the town and on the lower clyde. Fergusons shipyard which is located on the edge of the town centre next to Newark castle.

The town grew from where the town centre is today up on to the steep hill behind it where most of the towns residential areas are now located.

Getting there

Port Glasgow is located on the banks of the River Clyde in West central Scotland. It is located around 13 miles from Glasgow Airport and 22 miles from the city of Glasgow.

Trains run direct to Port Glasgow from Glasgow central station. There are two stations Woodhall and Port Glasgow train stations. Woodhall station is out of town in a residential area of town. Port Glasgow train station stops in the town centre. Scotrail run railway services in Scotland

Mcgills buses run regular bus services from Glasgow to Largs 901 and 906 that stop in Port Glasgow. There is also an x7 bus that runs all the way to Greenock in the evening and Sundays from Glasgow that not only stops in the main town centre it actually passes through upper Port Glasgow. Check out the Mcgills website for bus times and fare prices. Or download the app which gives option to buy the tickets on your phone, track buses and gives you timetables.

Getting around

Mcgills also run the local bus services around Port Glasgow and from here to other areas of Inverclyde including Greenock, Gourock, Inverkip, Weymss bay and Kilmacolm. As well as direct buses to Largs and Glasgow.

Train travel is also possible between Port Glasgow and all the other towns and villages within Inverclyde with the exception of the village of Kilmacolm.

THINGS TO DO IN PORT GLASGOW

There are several things to see and do in Port Glasgow which is why I call it a Hidden Gem. As there are things here that until recently I hadn’t heard of or saw every day but never thought about before. Top things to do include Newark castle, Shipbuilders statue, the endveour statue, municipal buildings, comet replica. Coronation Park, park lea, Finlaystone Estate. There is also the retail park

Newark Castle

Newark Castle is situate at the edge of town just before you head on to the A8/M8 to Glasgow. It is on the banks of the river next door to the ship yard and the views down river is stunning. Built around 1484 it was home to the Maxwell family Until 1694. Today its maintained by historic Scotland and is a visitors attraction which is open from 1 April until 30 September. The area around the castle also has some stunning views. I believe this is the towns biggest hidden Gem and asset one that’s not well known to visitors and over looked by locals that even although we see it all the time we don’t appreciate its beauty.

Sculptures

Ship builders

There are two sculptures in the centre of town the first one is a bit of a controversial one most locals didn’t want it not because they didn’t like it but because they felt that the money could have been spent on much better things. I thought it was a waste of money when they first started discussing it and still think it’s a waste of money now that they have erected it. However, I will also admit I think it is a beautiful sculpture. It’s the shipbuilders of Port Glasgow sculpture that I am referring to also known as the tinmen as they kind of look a bit like the tin man from Wizard of OZ. This sculpture is situated just a short walk from Newark Castle and within the grounds of the coronation park.

The Endeavor

Just across the street and a few minutes along the road at the traffic lights for the main entrance by vehicle to the town centre Is another sculpture to represent the area’s Maritime history the Endeavor statue.

The comet

No not the pub the replica of the boat across the street from the pub. The comet paddle steamer was built by John wood’s ship yard in Port Glasgow in 1812. It did regular ferry sailing between Glasgow and Greenock. in 1820’s the ship wrecked off the coast of Oban. A replica of the comet was made and is now located in the centre of town. Directly across the street from the town hall on the walkway leading to tesco and the retail park.

The coronation Park

The coronation park is located in the town centre over looking the firth of clyde. This a well used area with seating and children’s play park. Perch lighthouse is just off the parks shores. The park was built on the site of the west Harbour in 1937. In celebration of the coronation of King George the VI father of Queen Elizabeth II. The old Gourock Ropeworks building often just referred to as this mill is located across the street from the Park. This building was converted into flats a few years ago now after it lay empty for a number of years. The war memorial across the street from the Park was originally inside the park until they built A8 road.

Parklea

Parklea is located about 1 mile upstream from Newark castle. There is a nice path and walk way that you can walk along to get there. There are playing fields here and the National Trust own most of the land. They lease these to the local council. Who hire them out to local groups. The scenery up the clyde from around this area is stunning.

Local buildings

The town clock and buildings sometime referred to the municipal buildings is a beautiful building across the street from the coronation park. It currently is home to the local library on the lower floor with the calmac ferry company offices taking up the rest of this building.

The new Parish church formally St Andrews church is a beautiful church in the centre of town on Princes Street. It has a huge organ inside as well.

St John Church also in the centre of town is also another beautiful church building.

The oldest building after the castle is the George VI building located at number 9 and 11 King Street. Number 9 built in 1758 is one of the oldest purpose built lodges in the world and number 11 was originally the town hall which was built a few years later.

Places to eat and Drink

There a few pubs most of which have been around for years and most of them I will admit I’ve never been in. There is Donnachies bar which ive been in a number of times but only at lunchtime as they sell food its nice (disclaimer im related to the owners but that has no reflection on my opinions on the food) and not to expensive.

Waterwheel bar and restaurant is located behind the retail park and serves food most of the day and into the evening. They are famous for their carvery but also have a breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. There are a few nice views across the clyde.

Shopping

Within the main town centre there are variety of small independent shops and charity shops. However there is not in my opinion any real stand out shops. However just outside the town centre behind tescos is the retail park. Where you will find the big chain stores such as next, marks and spencers, TK Maxx, Boots.

About Author