This part of our web guide focuses on Port Glasgow, situated east of Greenock and west of Langbank. It is the second-largest town in the Inverclyde council area of Scotland.
Port Glasgow is in the West Central Lowlands, on the southern shore of the Firth of Clyde, about twenty miles west of Glasgow. Kilmacolm is a small village south-east of Port Glasgow.
Port Glasgow is situated on a flat coastal plain carved out by the River Clyde, surrounded by rugged, hilly terrain. The presence of coal in the immediate area and the fertile soil of the river valley contributed to its early industry.
The area around Port Glasgow has been inhabited since the Iron Age. In 1476, Newark Castle was built on the south shore of the estuary of the River Clyde, where the firth gradually narrows from the Firth of Clyde, and navigation upriver is made difficult by shifting sandbanks.
The town's origins as a port date back to the 17th century when it was established as a deepwater port for Glasgow. Originally known as Newark, the town became Port Glasgow when the city of Glasgow acquired the land to develop port facilities.
Before 1668, Newark was primarily a herring fishing village, and the castle's proximity to the river facilitated trade and commerce.
The opening of the first dry dock in Scotland in 1762 led to the expansion of the town's shipbuilding and timber industries. The construction of quays, shipyards, and warehouses facilitated the growth of maritime trade.
The town's strategic location on the River Clyde and its proximity to Glasgow's industrial centres made it attractive for shipbuilders and timber merchants. Port Glasgow's shipbuilding industry led to several spin-off industries, such as timber, rope, and sailmaking.
The decline of the shipbuilding industry in the 1980s led to a period of economic difficulty and widespread unemployment, but the town's proximity to Glasgow and its existing infrastructure allowed it to attract new industries, including light manufacturing, distribution, and retail.
Today, with a diverse economy, Port Glasgow is doing well. Its historic waterfront has been regenerated, with a mix of commercial, recreational, and residential.
Tourism has also become an important factor. The construction of the A8 Road in the 1960s and 1970s made the town more accessible to Glasgow and other major cities, and there is a lot to see and do in Port Glasgow.
As mentioned earlier, Newark Castle is a 15th-century castle on the western edge of town. The Category A listed building offers views of the area's medieval history.
Constructed in the 19th century, the Port Glasgow Town Hall, with its distinctive clock tower, is a central feature of Port Glasgow's architecture. Also known as the Town Buildings, this significant structure, built in the Neoclassical style in 1816, is also a Category A listed building.
Gamble Halls is a mid-19th-century community centre that hosts various events, such as music performances, community gatherings, and private functions.
Established in 1903, Ferguson Marine Engineering is a historic shipyard in Port Glasgow that is still operational. Situated at Newark Works on Castle Road, the shipyard has built over 1,400 vessels and played a significant role during both World Wars. After facing financial difficulties, Ferguson Marine was nationalised in 2019.
Port Glasgow businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, museums, libraries, art galleries, entertainment venues, organisations, recreational or sporting programmes, attractions, and events are appropriate resources for this category.
Recommended Resources
The independent used car dealership is located in Port Glasgow, Scotland. The dealership specialises in buying and selling cars, vans, and motorhomes. The company sources vehicles for clients and offers delivery services across the United Kingdom. They carry a wide range of used cars from various manufacturers, including Audi, BMW, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Peugeot, Renault, Volkswagen, and Volvo, although these will change from time to time. Contacts are posted.
https://www.dlrcar.co.uk/
Lorna Cox Aesthetics is a facial aesthetics clinic in Port Glasgow, Scotland. Established by Dr. Lorna Cox, the clinic offers a range of treatments, including anti-wrinkle treatments, dermal fillers, SkinPen microneedling, lip fillers, and treatments for underarm sweating. Its address, a map showing its location, telephone number, email address, and an online contact form are provided. Its affiliations, treatments, prices, announcements, and online bookings are set forth.
https://www.lornacoxaesthetics.co.uk/
The well-preserved castle is located on the south shore of the estuary of the River Clyde in Port Glasgow, Scotland. When dredging made the river navigable, the town grew up around the castle. The castle is now a property of Historic Environment Scotland. Visiting the castle is free to members, and memberships may be purchased through the site, along with partner organisation tickets and Explorer passes. Its history, an overview of the castle, prices, times, and travel information are featured.
https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/newark-castle/
Serving girls and boys aged 12-18, Port Glasgow High School is located in the Port Glasgow Community Campus. It is a local authority school, governed by Inverclyde Council. The history of the school is published on the site, along with a school handbook, uniform policies, term dates, a staff directory, and a list of associated primary schools. The parent council, senior pupil leadership team, a school newsletter, and access to various documents are available.
https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/in/portglasgowhs/
Affiliated with Inverclyde Leisure, the Port Glasgow Swimming Pool has a 20m main pool, perfect for lane swimming, aqua-based exercise classes, and swimming lessons. It also has a health suite and sauna that can be used to relax after a swim. Both the pool and sauna have specially-designed access for disabled groups. Its address, a map showing its location, an overview of the facilities, and opening times are posted on the site, along with membership options and contacts.
https://www.inverclydeleisure.com/facilities/port-glasgow-swimming-pool/
Founded as a mission in 1846, St. John the Baptist is a Roman Catholic parish. It remains an active parish in Port Glasgow, Scotland. Mass times, confession schedules, and Eucharistic Adoration are available, along with other services, Sacraments, and devotions. With several renovations and expansions over the years, the church's architecture has been influenced by various styles, including Victorian and Gothic Revival. Church bulletins, address, phone number, and an email address are provided.
https://www.stjohnthebaptist.rcpaisley.org.uk/
St. Stephens is a Catholic high school in Port Glasgow, Scotland. An introduction to the school is provided by its head teacher. Other resources include a school handbook, school policies, its remote learning policies, councelling services, and contact details, including its address, telephone number, and email address. Its curriculum, policy information, school schedules, and associated primaries are featured on the site, which includes staff contacts, and departmental information.
https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/in/ststephenshs/
