WHEN it comes to the earliest school, or schools, in Helensburgh, there is a dearth of information in official documents, but a plausible picture does begin to emerge from snippets in a variety of sources.
One useful work which does provide some clues is the book "A Nonogenarian's Reminiscences of Garelochside and Helensburgh", by Donald MacLeod (1883). The author is not a nonagenarian — that designation applies to his uncle, Gabriel MacLeod.
Last Updated ( Saturday, 03 July 2010 17:31 )
A GROUP of buildings known as ‘The Barracks’ once stood in Helensburgh's James Street, on the site now occupied by a children's play area. Built around the middle of the 19th century, they became notorious as a trouble spot.
Local historian Alistair McIntyre discovered that local newspapers of the time frequently reported on disturbances which happened there.
Last Updated ( Saturday, 03 July 2010 17:32 )
ONE of the town’s early schools rejoiced in the somewhat unflattering name of Helensburgh Ragged School.
It was set up in 1851 to meet the needs of parents who could not, or would not, pay the fees of the other schools of the time . . . and it existed and prospered until the building of Clyde Street School early in the 20th century.
Last Updated ( Saturday, 03 July 2010 17:33 )
HELENSBURGH’S oldest house is believed to be Drumfork House at Colgrain, said by some to have been built in 1720 and today hidden behind a screen of trees and beside the primary school.
However, according to a local historian, the late George R.Stocks, whose first job after leaving school was working in the then rather more extensive grounds, it was built for John Stevenson, a Glasgow merchant, in 1748.
Last Updated ( Thursday, 29 April 2010 16:05 )
A DERELICT cottage overlooking Loch Lomond at Luss sold at auction to an unknown buyer for £58,000 in May 2008.
The asking price for Collychippen Farm Cottage in Glen Luss, a stone shell, had been £40,000.
Last Updated ( Thursday, 29 April 2010 16:06 )
View this photo and over 1,400 more at the Heritage Trust Photo Gallery. Visit the gallery.
The first 2013-14 winter talk is on Wednesday September 25 at 7.30pm at Helensburgh Lawn Tennis Club, when Joe Brown will talk about the historic Ferry Inn at Rosneath. Non-members are most welcome.
HELENSBURGH HERITAGE TRUST
Scottish Charity
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