It was a pleasure to lead Lyle Gateway Walkers in a Glimpse of Gourock History Walk yesterday. Our walk started at Cardwell Bay where we talked about the yacht builders who once had their yards there as well as some of the other historical aspects of the area.
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| Cardwell Bay Fountain |
From there we visited the Chapel Street burial ground to see the memorial to those who lost their lives in the 1822 collision between the tug Hercules and a small Highland wherry in the River between Gourock and the Cloch. The small boat was carrying harvesters from Mull and Iona to Greenock and 42, mostly women, died in the collision. The other side of the memorial is dedicated to the 70 people who lost their lives in the 1825 collision between the steamship Comet with another named Ayr off Kempoch Point. There are some other very interesting gravestones around the edges of the burying ground.
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We then went through Gourock Park and discussed the Darroch family who once owned the land and who gifted it to the people of Gourock. From there we wandered down to look at the bell from Gourock’s a remnant from the Eastern School which used to be situated there.
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| Eastern School bell which is now protected by Perspex panels |
A walk along Shore Street to the Gamble Halls we then trekked up King Street and along Royal Street, noting the 250th anniversary of Old Gourock and Ashton Church. We also passed St Ninian’s Church and made our way to visit Granny Kempock and hear about the legends associated with this marvellous stone and the local area.
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| Granny Kempock Stone |
We finished our walk at St John’s Church where we were treated to tea, coffee and home baking – very much appreciated after our walk.
Just to say thank you to Lyle Gateway’s Jenni Murray and the
other walk leaders who looked after us on the walk. We were lucky that the weather was just right
for walking and the friendly company of the other walkers made it a lovely
experience. Thanks to all who came
along. Find out more about Lyle Gateway's walks and other activities on their Facebook Page here.
Read some other Greenockian posts about Gourock - click on the links -
