It was a beautiful day in Inverclyde yesterday. I went out to get some photographs and came across a heron sitting on some rocks down at Gourock.
Friday 23 September 2016
Friday 16 September 2016
Good for Greenock!
It has just been announced this week that Greenock has been voted 3rd in the Cruise Critic's destination awards - British Isles and Western Europe section!
This year Greenock has been visited by over fifty cruise ships - and while many of the passengers travel to Glasgow for the day, many choose to stay in the local area to enjoy what we have to offer here in Inverclyde. Of course it's not just the gorgeous scenery, wonderful architecture, interesting history and heritage that make this area so attractive, but credit must be given to the wonderful local people who make our visitors feel so welcome.
This year Greenock has been visited by over fifty cruise ships - and while many of the passengers travel to Glasgow for the day, many choose to stay in the local area to enjoy what we have to offer here in Inverclyde. Of course it's not just the gorgeous scenery, wonderful architecture, interesting history and heritage that make this area so attractive, but credit must be given to the wonderful local people who make our visitors feel so welcome.
Friday 9 September 2016
What to see this weekend in Greenock
Still wondering where to visit on Doors Open weekend?
Watch my short slide-show for a few suggestions.
Watch my short slide-show for a few suggestions.
A full list can be found here.
Tuesday 6 September 2016
Jean Street School Port Glasgow
School Court in Port Glasgow is a great example of what can be achieved when old buildings are renovated.
The former Jean Street Primary School designed by H & D Barclay and opened in 1884, was a popular school in Port Glasgow and could house 460 pupils. It closed in the late 1970s.
The local author and teacher Janetta Bowie (1907-1996) taught here for a short while after graduating. Her book Penny Buff - described life in local schools in the 1930s.
You can see an old picture of the school at the McLean Museum website. Thank goodness the old building hasn't been destroyed like so many others in Inverclyde and has now been turned into flats.
The former Jean Street Primary School designed by H & D Barclay and opened in 1884, was a popular school in Port Glasgow and could house 460 pupils. It closed in the late 1970s.
The local author and teacher Janetta Bowie (1907-1996) taught here for a short while after graduating. Her book Penny Buff - described life in local schools in the 1930s.
You can see an old picture of the school at the McLean Museum website. Thank goodness the old building hasn't been destroyed like so many others in Inverclyde and has now been turned into flats.
Sunday 4 September 2016
Cowan's Corner
This photograph is of the north west side
of Cathcart Square in Greenock and is locally known as Cowan's Corner and there is an interesting story surrounding this empty space!
When Greenock's Municipal Buildings were
being designed in the 1880s, the owner of this piece of land refused to sell to
the Corporation. There were shops and
office on the site - you can see a photograph of how it looked on the McLean Museum website. So, the new Municipal
Buildings had to be build around the standing buildings. Ironically it remained that way until
Greenock was bombed during the Second World War in May of 1941 when the corner was destroyed, but the Municipal Buildings received much less damage!
Robert Cowan was a draper and silk merchant
in the town, the son of Archibald Cowan, a tailor and Elizabeth Turner. In 1832 Robert married Jane McIver, daughter
of Captain David McIver. As this extract
from Fowler's Commercial Directory 1836-1837 shows, Robert Cowan already had
premises at the corner of Cathcart Square and Hamilton Street (may have once been his father's). His home was at 25 Anne Street.
He seems to have been a very successful and
well thought-of business man. He two
daughters - the younger daughter, Mary Elizabeth died in 1865. By this time the family were living in Union
Street. His other daughter, Jane Boyd, married in 1862 a Glasgow merchant, Lawrence Bennett
Robertson, the son of Andrew Robertson (woollen merchant) and Margaret Bennett.
Robert Cowan died from heart disease in 1867
leaving a substantial estate both in property and business to his daughter Jane
Boyd Robertson. She and her husband took
over the running of the business, and it was with Lawrence Bennett Robertson
that negotiations into the disposal of "Cowan's Corner" began. The Corporation refused to pay the
compensation Robertson demanded for giving over the land and therefore the
Municipal Buildings had to be built around the area - the original design
having to be amended to fit in with these circumstances. Later a fine set of tenements with shops underneath were built which fitted in rather well with the surrounding area - look here.
There were many complaints at the time as the above newspaper cutting shows.
The Cowan and Robertson family are buried in Greenock Cemetery. The headstone reads -
In memory of our beloved daughter Mary
Elizabeth who departed this life November 15, 1865.
Robert Cowan fell asleep in Jesus on the 18
April 1867 aged 65 years
Jane McIver died 10 October 1881
Jane Boyd wife of L B robertson died May
1881
Lawrence B Robertson died 31 August 1889
It is interesting to note that Robert Cowan's grandson - Robert Cowan Robertson (1836 - 1910) became a well known marine and landscape artist. He was fond of sailing around the Western Isles and built a studio
on Barra. He was a friend of the artist
Samuel John Peploe (1871-1935). You can view some of his work on the McLean Museum collection at ArtUK. My particular favourite is "Tug Standing By a Schooner in a Gale" 1899.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)