Garelochhead
| Garelochhead | |
| Dunbartonshire | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Location: | 56°4’52"N, 4°49’48"W |
| Data | |
| Post town: | Helensburgh |
| Postcode: | G84 |
| Dialling code: | 01436 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Argyll and Bute |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Argyll and Bute |
Garelochhead is a modest village at the head of Gare Loch in Dunbartonshire. It is the nearest village to the HMNB Clyde naval base.
Garelochhead lies at the head of the Gare Loch, 7 miles northwest of Helensburgh. Loch Lomond is a few miles to the east, and Loch Long to the west. To some the scenic beauty of the loch is only slightly marred by the presence of the HMNB Clyde submarine base and the associated semi-permanent 'peace camp'. In addition to the few local shops, pubs and churches, it has a bowling club and a Community building at the Gibson Hall. Garelochhead's 1,265 residents are served by Garelochhead railway station on the West Highland Line and a local bus service running between Coulport and Helensburgh.
Churches
- Church of Scotland: Gairlochhead Parish Church (built in 1837)
The kirk unusually hosts services for a combined congregation of Protestants and Roman Catholics, since the latter's church closed through falling attendance.
About the village
There is a community building, called Centre 81, which is home to a youth club, gym, café, computer suite and meeting rooms.[1] There is also a gallery featuring work by local artists.
The Gibson Hall is commonly used as headquarters for cycle races round the Coulport peninsula, such as the Scottish Cycling national road race that was organised by Lomond Roads Cycling Club.
Garelochhead Training Camp is a military training facility located nearby.[2]
History
Garelochhead developed from the 1820s with the advent of steamer cruising during the Glasgow Fair holiday. Tourism was boosted with the opening of the West Highland Railway line to Fort William in 1894, and in the late 20th century its prosperity was linked to the deepwater oil tanker terminal at Finnart on Loch Long and the Faslane naval base. Garelochhead Forest lies to the south.
In 1854 there was a great dispute that became known as the Battle of Garelochhead fought between the locals, led by Sir James Colquhoun, and the passengers of the steamer Ship "Emperor". The trouble started when Colquhoun did not want trippers on the Sabbath day. The battle was eventually won by the passengers, but undeterred Colquhoun took his case to the courts, which subsequently banned sailings on Sundays.
Before Faslane naval base was built during Second World War, Garelochhead was a summer destination for people from Glasgow who would arrive from the Gare Loch and spend time in one of the Garelochhead hotels. Following transport advancements, holiday makers stopped coming to Garelochhead. Faslane was built after this, and extended the town as workers settled in the area.
During the 1990s, two of the village's hotels, The Dahlandui and Garelochhead Hotel, burnt down; dark allegations were made that their owners did the deed due to the falling tourist attraction of Garelochhead and the loss of trade due to the winding up of the construction at the Naval Base.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Garelochhead) |