Greenock's lucky horseshoe

This is the horseshoe which has traditionally been set in the centre of Cathcart Square in Greenock just in front of the Mid Kirk.  It has always been important to the people of Greenock as it is thought to bring good luck to the town.  When the stones in the square were being replaced in 1894, there was much discussion as to whether the horseshoe should be replaced, and it was agreed that it was an important part of Greenock's history.

A new horseshoe was generously supplied by William Wood, cartwright of Bogle Street in Greenock.  It was set in a stone engraved with the dates 1635 - the year in which Greenock was created a burgh of barony and 1894 - the date of the new stone.  It was formally set in place in the of Cathcart Square to the south of the Lyle Fountain by Bailie Black, Convener of the Streets Committee.  He was accompanied by several other town officials and a large crowd of local people.  At the end of the ceremony, Bailie Black said that he trusted that the horseshoe would bring good luck to the town of Greenock.  This was met with a large cheer form the crowd.  The contractor for the new causewaying was Aitkenhead & Sons, builders of Trafalgar Street in Greenock.

Over the centuries there have been various ledgents surrounding the horseshoe and why it was so important to Greenock.  Back in the old days horseshoes were often nailed on house doors as a guard against witchcraft.  It was hoped that this one would protect the town from dark forces.

Oak tree on flag of Scotts' Shipbuilders of Greenock Memorial 

Another legend says that the horseshoe marked the spot where an evergreen oak tree grew.  Many people linked the name of Greenock with oak trees, and the oak appears in many depictions of Greenock.  In fact our local shopping centre is called the Oak Mall!

Cathcart Square was the setting for many incidents in Greenock's history and some thought that the horseshoe represented the place where an unfortunate excise officer was attacked and killed by a band of smugglers who then took his body and hid it in a cave in woods behind the Square.  Another legend tells that it marked the spot where there was a fight between the press-gang and some local women who were trying to rescue a young man who had just returned from a long voyage from the West Indies.  Whatever the story, the Cathcart Square horseshoe was and still is an important part of Greenock's folk-lore.