Greenock Waterfront Walk

If you would like to take a short walk with lovely views and some interesting history then this Waterfront Walk is just right for you.  The circular route only takes about an hour and passes some of Greenock's more interesting buildings and sculptures.  You can download the fully interactive map and information here.

The route takes you from the new Greenock Ocean Terminal along the waterfront to the Beacon Arts Centre then up to Cathcart Street and along to Cathcart Square.  From there the route returns back to the Waterfront.

It would be ideal for cruise ship visitors who would like to find out a little about Greenock and its history and I've also provided travel information for buses and trains to Glasgow.

So, with the lovely weather we've been having recently, why not take the Waterfront Walk, stopping off at the Beacon Cafe & Bar for a cup of coffee or snack on the way.

All the information can be downloaded here.

Greenock Waterfront Yardmen

These three wonderful characters are part of an artwork at Greenock's Waterfront between the Beacon Theatre and the Waterfront Leisure Centre.  Their creator is artist Jason Orr of RIG Arts.

The scenes celebrate this area's long shipbuilding heritage and the characters are just 12 inches high!  For such small figures, they have strong presence.

There are three different scenes with characters at work - and on a break.  Look at the cat sitting on the bench.

They are really fascinating to look at and each time you look closer, there's something new to see.  

Even in such a small work, the attention to detail is amazing.

It really is necessary to see these works in person to appreciate all the details in them, so do make a point of looking out for them if you are in the area.  While I was taking these photographs I spoke to a chap who was also having a look at them.  He used to work in the shipyards and thought they were wonderful.  Many of my own relatives worked in the shipyards and it is heartening to see these figures representing our strong shipbuilding heritage.

Greenock Waterfront Art - Ebb & Flow

On the riverside path at Greenock's Waterfront Leisure Complex is this lovely seating area surrounding a sculpture of a little seal.  It is called "Ebb & Flow" and is by Alan Potter in conjunction with RIG Arts.

It is a lovely installation on a popular walking and cycle route along the riverbank.  You can sit here and look out over the River Clyde watching the ships and tugs go by.  It was a bit hazy this morning when I took these photographs.  Normally you can see across the river to Helensburgh.

The work features mosaics of some of the local riverlife in beautiful oak benches.

You can read more about the installation on the information board.

So, if you are heading for the Greenock's Beacon Arts Centre or the Waterfront Leisure Complex then it is well worth taking some time out to view "Ebb & Flow" and some of the other interesting art installations that line the pathway between them.

Beacon Reflected

Greenock's Beacon clock tower reflected in the windows of the Custom House.

Joining Weekend Reflections.

The Greenockian

The Beacon Clock Tower and So Much More

On Friday I described the top part of the Beacon  clock tower at Customhouse Quay in Greenock, designed by William Clark, marine artist.  There was a weather vane, a fog bell, a fog light and clock.  Today it is the turn of the lower section which is just as interesting and contains an amazing amount of detail.

This was a drinking fountain with a beautiful lion's head and crest with the words "God Speed" - very apt considering many there would be going on a journey, as well as being part of Greenock's own motto.

There was also a letter box.  I wonder how many tear-stained last words were sent from here before folk went off to different lives in far flung corners of the globe.

The Beacon itself was made at Rankin & Blackmore's Eagle Foundry in Greenock (Baker Street). 

This is a view of the Beacon with the magnificent Custom House behind it.  It must have been a very welcome sight for people returning to Greenock to meet with old friends and family. 

The stories this could tell!

The Greenockian

Versatile Victorians

One of the things I love about Victorian builders and designers was their ability to merge the functional with the decorative. 

The Beacon clock tower at Customhouse Quay in Greenock is a fabulous example of this.  Designed by local marine artist William Clark (1803-1883) and erected in 1868, it is wonderful to look at and also contains features essential to its position on a busy quay.  I'm only going to describe some of them and leave the others for another day.  Let's start at the top -

weather vane

fog bell

fog light

clock

 This picture shows the Beacon as it was in 1878.

(The photograph comes from the book  "Greenock From Old Photographs" (ISBN 950068713)by Matt Anderson and Joy Monteith, published in 1980 by Inverclyde District Libraries.)

The Greenockian