Greenock a great place to visit and take in some history

Greenock is the Largest of the three towns that are part of council area of Inverclyde. It is on the west coast of Scotland on the banks of the river Clyde. Greenock is a large town and an important port it sits between the other two Inverclyde towns Port Glasgow and Gourock. Its a great place to visit if you want to take in some history. So come on what you waiting for Visit Greenock on the banks of the river clyde. With stunning views and a lot of history

Brief History of Greenock from past to present

Greenock is located approximately 22 miles from the city of Glasgow. It grew from a small fishing village to and important sea port for the city of Glasgow and then grew into a vibrant ship building town.

It is claimed that the pirate Captain Kid was born in Greenock in 1645. Although this is disputed with other sources claiming he was born in Dundee. However Greenock’s most famous son the Inventor James Watt was definatly born here in 1736. Watt was an inventor who made improvements to the steam engine. He is credited as being one of the major influences in moving towards the industrial revolution. Watt has not been forgotten in Greenock and references can be found to him throughout the town. There is a statue of him on the side of the Greenock town hall/municipal buildings. The Watt library and even a pub called the James Watt. Previously the local college was called the James Watt College. Its now changed its name to West college Scotland after a merger and restructuring of the college system in Scotland a few years back.

Mary Campbell known as Rabbie (Robert) Burns Highland Mary is buried in Greenock cemetary.

Greenock still has a large port area and goods are imported and exported on a daily basis with contanier ships coming in and out of the Port regularly. However there is a different kind of ship that has made waves in Greenock over the last 10 years or so. Yes I do mean the cruise ship industry with passengers arriving from all over the world on regular basis during the spring and summer months. There is a new cruise terminal is being built and it will have a museum and a restaurant on site.

Getting there

Just a short trip down the M8/A8 from Glasgow Airport by taxi or car. There is no direct public transport between Glasgow Airport and Greenock other than taxis although you can get buses into the nearby town of Paisley or Glasgow. There are regular trains services between Glasgow Central and Greenock. As well as between Greenock and Gourock. There are 8 train stations in Greenock with the two main ones being Greenock central and Greenock West. Both of these stations are located near to the town centre. McGills buses 906 and 901 both going to Largs stop in Greenock.

Getting around

Greenock is fairly walkable but there are also a lot of hills in places to look out for. There are however thankfully a number of buses and trains that can take you around the area. Scotrail run the trains. While most of the local buses are ran by McGills buses

Things to do on your visit to Greenock

The Fire Museum

The fire museum is situated with the town hall buildings which used to be the fire station. Its only a small museum but well worth a visit. It is open every time a cruise ship is in Greenock or the last Sunday of the month. It is also free entry

McClean Museum and Art Gallery and Watt Library

The McClean museum and Art Gallery are situated inside the same building as the Watt library. Its located on Kelly street just outside of the main town centre and not far from the tontine hotel and the cruise terminal. Its also only a short walk from the town centre although its uphill struggle from all of these places but only a very short one honestly.

The museum has recently reopened after a refurbishment which saw the installation of lifts. The museum is over two floors and exhibits include displays about the local people involved in the two World Wars, ships, and shipbuilding, upstairs there are various animal artifacts. The Art Gallery is located on the upper floor and there are several paintings on display.

There are nice gardens and seating areas outside the building where you can have some quiet time or a picnic.

Museum is open Wednesday – Saturday 10-4 and closed Monday and Tuesdays Admission is free.

Municipal building and Greenock Town Hall

Greenock municipal buildings are category A listed building and is where the headquarters of the council is located. It is also where the town hall and fire museum are located. The first Municipal building on the site was a town house built in 1765. The building was enlarged in 1858. Following a significant growth in the population of the town mainly due to the shipbuilding industry the town leaders decided to buy up the buildings around the current building and all but agreed Robert Cowan refused to sell his shop. So they had to build around it and his shop remained in place.

The laying of the foundation stone for the new building took place on 6th of August 1881 and was completed 1886. The building was badly damaged during the blitz and cowans shop along with a tower on the building where destroy although the Victoria tower still stood. The council finally acquired the Cowan plot in 1950’s and turned into and open space with benches known as Cowan’s corner and its still there today. This is first time I’ve heard about Cowan’s or that the area had a special name.

Greenock Esplanade

Often referred to as the Splash the esplanade is a 1.2 mile walkway beside the River Clyde. It has beautiful views along the clyde and is very popular with walkers, joggers, cyclists, dog walkers and families. Also why not treat yourself to an ice cream in the fabulous esplanade cafe. No visit to Greenock on a sunny day is complete In my opinion without a walk along the banks of the clyde to take in the fantastic river views.

Places to stay

Tontine

There a few places in Greenock to stay. The first one is the tontine hotel. I have attended a number of functions here including birthday parties, quiz nights , weddings and general party nights. I have however never stayed overnight but it is fairly popular with people who don’t want to stay in a big chain hotel. Its just up the street from the cruise terminal.

Holiday Inn Express Greenock

I have a family members who lives abroad who visit often and when they do they always stay at this hotel saying that even although its a budget hotel its brilliant. Its clean beds are comfy and the breakfast is always good.

I have attended this hotel on a few occasions for meetings and training. The public facilities are very modern and clean.

The hotel is Located on the edge of town as you enter from Port Glasgow end. It is on the banks of the clyde and therefore there are panoramic river views to be had from most rooms and this would make an excellent budget choice hotel for a visit to Greenock .

Premier Inn Greenock with views over the Clyde

Premier inn is located just outside of town. On the banks of the river next to the point bar and restaurant. Again ive not stayed here but friends and family have they have said it was typical premier inn. Comfortable beds, clean and with good views across and down river

Place to eat and drink

Its Scotland and we like to eat and drink so no visit to Greenock would be complete without a visit to some of the local pubs and restaurants some of which are located on the banks of the river Clyde. Offering excellent views as well as food and drink. I have chosen a few of my favourites there are however many many more dotted around Greenock.

The Exchange

The Exchange restaurant and bar I love it here the food is good but im particularly found of the dacquiri cocktails. It has a varied menu with fish and chips, lasagne, Steak sandwiches being some of the dishes on offer. I can highly recommend both the fish and chips and the Lasagne.

The exchange is Anne street in Greenock close to both the bus station and oak mall (its behind the mall). I believe no visit to Greenock is complete without a visit to this great with restaurant and bar its not on the banks of the Clyde so no river views but the food and drink more than make up for it

The horseshoe bar

The horseshoe bar is located next to the bus station in Greenock it has a bar and a Lounge. Its open 11-7 for food Monday to Saturday and 12.30 -7 on Sundays. Its open for drinks 11 am to 11pm Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and 11am to midnight Wed. Friday and Saturday 11am to 1am and Sunday 12.30-to midnight.

There is often Karoke here as well as other events. They serve a lot of different alcoholic drinks and the price for both food and drinks are reasonable

James Watt Pub

The James Watt or as the locals call it the Jimmy Watt pub is located on Cathcart Street. A short Walk from the Greenock central railway station and there are bus stops near by as well.

The Jimmy Watt (sorry Im a local) is a pub in the Wetherspoons pubs franchise of which there are many throughout the whole of the UK. Wetherspoons offer both cheap food and drinks. They have buregers, Pizza, fish and chips. scampi and so on the menu. There are many meal deals on the menu which include a meal and a drink for a reasonable priced. Okay I admit its not top quality food but then we not at the RItz are we. They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner serving food until well on into the evening. The drinks are also reasonably priced.

They have special days like curry Thursday and steak nights. I can highly recommend the Korma on the curry nights its well worth the money and comes with a drink.

Now the Jimmy watt looks like a old tradition pub as it was built that way. Its located inside the old Greenock post office building and has retained many of the original features of the building. I used to really like it here but have felt in recent years its went downhill. The tables always seem sticky and the food isn’t up to standards even for a Wetherspoons.

However its still a nice looking place inside and there is a lot of art work on the wall with information about the area and building.

The Tail of the bank

The tail of the bank pub and restaurant it is part of the Hungry Horse chain of pubs. It is located on the main road on a spot over looking the river near to the harbour and custom house and across the road from Morrisons Supermarket. As the name suggests this pub and restaurant is located near the banks of the river clyde and therefor offering excellent views as well as good food so I recommended popping in on your next visit to Greenock

This is a nice pub restaurant which serves a large variety of traditional British fayre such as hunters chicken, scampi and chips, fish and chips, haggis and so there are various meal deals and promotions going on throughout the week.

You can also play pool here £1 a game (currently August 2022).

Cafe Balfe

Is a cafe/restaurant that serves breakfast, lunches and dinners it is located on Cathcart street in the centre of town.

This a really nice little cafe/restaurant. During the day its family friendly and in the evening you can have a night out with friends or a romantic meal for two. There is a varied menu with dishes such as hot dogs, macaroni cheese, enchiladas, fish and chips some of the available options

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