Gryffe Valley

The River Gryffe

The Gryffe Valley, also known as Strathgryffe (or in either form with a single 'f') is the valley of the River Gryffe in Renfrewshire.

The geography of the area is a contrasting mix of green fields surrounding the river, with rough moorland in the higher areas, particularly Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park.

The River Gryffe rises in Kilmacolm and joining the Black Cart Water between Houston and Inchinnan.

Strathgryfe was anciently a feudal lordship, is associated historically with the origins of Renfrewshire itself. The name was anciently used not only for the valley of the Gryffe itself, but for the whole of Renfrewshire.

Name

'Stragrif' is mentioned in the 1169 charter of Paisley Abbey, which placed the churches of the area under the control of the new abbey. Later, the name 'Gryff' is recorded in the Military Survey of Scotland 1747-1755, compiled by William Roy, a predecessor to the Ordnance Survey maps of Great Britain. However it seems that 'Gryfe' was the established usage until more recent times.

The 'Gryffe' name is becoming the predominant usage in the area, seen for example in new signposts showing the name of the river and the names of organisations such as the Gryffe Valley Rotary Club and Gryffe High School in Houston. The Ordanace Surevy sue one 'f

The name 'Strathgryffe' incorporates the word 'strath', more usually found describing a wide glen in the Highlands, where the Gaelic language prevailed until recently. The term is rendered in Scots Gaelic as 'Srath' and is cognate with the Welsh Ystrad.

History

The lands of Strathgryffe were granted by King David I to Walter Fitz Alan, first High Steward of Scotland, and founder of the Stewart family in Scotland in the 1130s.

Strathgryffe was absorbed into the late mediæval county of Renfrew, in which the Stewarts would be based for centuries thereafter.

Towns and villages

There are a number of villages in Strathgryffe, varying considerably in size. The following straddle or are immediately adjacent to the River Gryffe:

• Kilmacolm
• Quarrier's Village (Kilmacolm civil parish)
• Bridge of Weir
• Houston (including Craigends on the South-east bank of the river)
• Crosslee

Location

• Location map: 55°52’41"N, 4°34’26"W