Port Glasgow

Port Glasgow (Port Ghlaschu in Scottish Gaelic) is the second largest burgh in the Inverclyde region of Scotland, located adjacent to neighbouring Greenock.

The town grew from the central area of the present town and thus many of the towns historic buildings are found here. Port Glasgow expanded up the steep hills inland to open fields where areas such as Boglestone and Devol were founded. This area has subsequently become known as upper Port Glasgow and most of the towns population occupies these areas.

History

Port Glasgow was originally a small village known as Newark, possibly named after Newark Castle, in the parish of Kilmacolm. Trading ships from France and the low countries were unloaded here and the cargo taken up the River Clyde to Glasgow on smaller boats. In 1667, the town council of Glasgow purchased land for the construction of a harbour and breakwater. This became Glasgow's first deep-water port and the town of Newark became known as Port Glasgow. After 1693, the grid-iron street layout which still forms much of the town centre today, was laid out.

Shipbuilding

By the 19th century Port Glasgow had become a centre of shipbuilding. The Comet was built in the town in 1812 and was the first commercial steam vessel in Europe. A replica of the Comet and a plaque commemorating the actual site of construction are situated in Port Glasgow town centre.

Port Glasgow became a burgh in 1833, but around this time, the River Clyde up to Glasgow was deepened and new road and rail links meant that the town was no longer needed much as a port. The shipbuilding industry then took over as the main source of employment and prosperity. Port Glasgow has been responsible for about a quarter of the total tonnage of ships launched on the Clyde. however like the rest of Inverclyde this industry has all but gone and only Fergusons shipyard remains in the town today and is one of the last privately owned shipyards left in Scotland. Port Glasgow made the steel for the famous ship in the world "Titanic"

Newark Castle

Newark Castle stands very close to the shore of the Clyde, and dates to around 1484. It was home to the Maxwell Family, but they no longer lived in the castle after 1694. By 1800 the castle was surrounded by shipyards, but today only Fergusons shipyard survives, standing close to the west of the castle, and an open park area and waterfront walkway have been landscaped to the east. The castle is now a visitor attraction owned by Historic Scotland.

Parliamentary burgh

Port Glasgow was a parliamentary burgh as a component of Kilmarnock Burghs from 1932 to 1918, when it was merged into the West Renfrewshire constituency.

Areas of Port Glasgow

Bardrainney Boglestone Bogston Bouverie Broadfield Devol Highholm Kelburn Lilybank Chapelton Mid Auchinleck Park Farm Parkhill Robert Street Slaemuir Springhill Town Centre Woodhall

External links