Port Glasgow's East End

When I was compiling my Port Glasgow Heritage Walk I had a big problem in choosing what to include and what to leave out.  So I've decided to make a list of some of the other places or buildings of interest in the town.  Let's start off in Port Glasgow's east end, there are some interesting things to see. 

I've set them out on a map to make it easier to work out where they are.  For a downloadable interactive version of this map click here.

Here's what's included in this section - click on the links to find out more about them.

A -      The Bogle Stone - a glacial erratic with an interesting history.
B -      "Future in Hand" sculptures at either end of Robert Street in Port Glasgow.  Bronze sculptures by artist Nina Saunders linking the area's history as a productive fruit growing area as well as a busy shipbuilding centre.

C -      Toll Boys Memorial - a lovely little garden area housing a memorial cross naming those from the area who lost their lives in World War 1.
D -      former Clune Park Church - unfortunately derelict, this former church has been left to rot away.  Designed by Boston, Menzies & Morton architects.  Clune Park Church opened in June 1905 and could accommodate 500 people.

E -      former Clune Park School - also derelict, unfortunately.  Designed by H & D Barclay architects and opened in 1887 it could accommodate 600 children.

It is fascinating to discover interesting buildings and sculptures in places that were once proud and  thriving local communities.

The Bogle Stone

Just at the top of Clune Brae in the east end of Port Glasgow is an area known as Boglestone.  It is named after an actual stone, a glacial erratic the Bogle Stone or Bogle Stane as it was known in the past.  There is still some of the stone to see and it has a fascinating history.

It used to sit on the other side of the road in the days when the road that led from Port Glasgow to Kilmacolm was a quiet country track.  In "Days At the Coast" written by Hugh Macdonald in 1878 it is described -
     "At this place, in the corner of a cornfield, is an immense isolated mass of whin, which from time          immemorial has borne the somewhat suggestive titlte of the "Bogle Stane" ... the favourite haunt          of a certain mischievous imp, who took a wicked delight in frightening belated travellers."

It was also said that the stone was a favourite meeting place for young people and their rowdy behaviour annoyed a local minister so much that he decided to blow the stone to smithereens!  The local people were so annoyed by his actions that they gathered up the pieces they could find and put them back together with the help of a local landowner - Auchinleck.  A poem was written in the Stone's honour and said at one time to have been inscribed on it -

"Ye wearie travellers passing bye,

Rest and be thankfu' here,

And should your lips be parched and dry,

Drink of my waters clear;

I am the far-famed Bogle Stane,

By worldly priest abhorred,

But now I am myself again

By Auchinleck restored."

 Today the Bogle Stone is right at a bus stop on the main road.  So, still a stopping place for travellers!