provided for the summer population bolstered bolstered population summer the for provided

and possibly Auchendarroch. possibly and

Was a Dunbartonshire architect. His designs here were The Linn (1858) (1858) Linn The were here designs His architect. Dunbartonshire a Was A host of service business, shops, and churches churches and shops, business, service of host A

William Motherwell William

prominent architect Alexander “Greek” Thomson. Thomson. “Greek” Alexander architect prominent

# DSA Architect Biography Report 2015 Report Biography Architect DSA #

residences include fine early examples of the the of examples early fine include residences

. Hotel Knockderry and Castle Knockderry

residence in keeping with the surroundings. These These surroundings. the with keeping in residence shows Arts & Crafts influences. In Cove he completed additions to to additions completed he Cove In influences. Crafts & Arts shows

He designed numerous houses in Helensburgh and his later work work later his and Helensburgh in houses numerous designed He duties and the cost of building and maintaining a a maintaining and building of cost the and duties

William Leiper William ( 1839–1916) echelons of society could afford the high feu feu high the afford could society of echelons

Feued plots were large so that only the wealthier wealthier the only that so large were plots Feued Knockderry Castle. Knockderry

and extensions to to extensions and Marina Villa and Rockingham include

partnership with J Keppie in 1888. His designs on the peninsula peninsula the on designs His 1888. in Keppie J with partnership industrial city. city. industrial

Honeyman was an established architect before going into into going before architect established an was Honeyman

to enjoy the fresh air and scenery away from the the from away scenery and air fresh the enjoy to

John Honeyman John

(1831–1914)

work daily by ferry and train leaving their families families their leaving train and ferry by daily work

and heads east. heads and

his death, the firm of Honeyman & Keppie was founded. was Keppie & Honeyman of firm the death, his well-to-do business men. They could commute to to commute could They men. business well-to-do

Peninsula East Trail which starts at Kilcreggan Pier Pier Kilcreggan at starts which Trail East Peninsula

in 1867. In 1888 following following 1888 In 1867. in Castle Cove designed He Keppie. John and

built as summer residences for Victorian Glasgow’s Glasgow’s Victorian for residences summer as built

environs can gain information from the Rosneath Rosneath the from information gain can environs Hugh Barclay and later worked in partnership with Campbell Douglas Douglas Campbell with partnership in worked later and Barclay Hugh

decade many prestigious villas and castles were were castles and villas prestigious many decade

Sellars was strongly influenced by A. Thomson. He was articled to to articled was He Thomson. A. by influenced strongly was Sellars Those who wish to explore Rosneath village and its its and village Rosneath explore to wish who Those

James Sellars James

(1843–1888) Feus were quickly taken-up and in the following following the in and taken-up quickly were Feus

Kilcreggan its enduring character. enduring its Kilcreggan

Street. Waterloo Glasgow’s in Office

surroundings. surroundings.

from this period and continue to give Cove & & Cove give to continue and period this from offices of distillers Wright and Greig, later the Distillers Company Company Distillers the later Greig, and Wright distillers of offices

trade with an emphasis on healthy, peaceful peaceful healthy, on emphasis an with trade of the houses, churches and shops that remain remain that shops and churches houses, the of Probably his most famous work, commissioned in 1847, was the the was 1847, in commissioned work, famous most his Probably

is typified by classical, Arts and Crafts and Glasgow Style. Glasgow and Crafts and Arts classical, by typified is within an hour thereby creating a thriving summer summer thriving a creating thereby hour an within

The Rosneath Peninsula West Trail looks at some some at looks Trail West Peninsula Rosneath The

particularly churches. He had a liking for red sandstone. His work work His sandstone. red for liking a had He churches. particularly

grime of Glasgow to the clear air of Kilcreggan Pier Pier Kilcreggan of air clear the to Glasgow of grime

He went on to design many Glasgow buildings, buildings, Glasgow many design to on went He . building public

Temperance Hotel. Hotel. Temperance

Passengers could arrive from the smoke and and smoke the from arrive could Passengers

was one of Chalmers early works and his first first his and works early Chalmers of one was Hall Burgh Cove

of strong drink the area was “dry” boasting its own own its boasting “dry” was area the drink strong of

James Chalmers Chalmers James (1852–1927)

Kilcreggan and Coulport to encourage the project. project. the encourage to Coulport and Kilcreggan discourage social disorder brought on by the evils evils the by on brought disorder social discourage

(Demolished 1967) (Demolished House. Inverclyde re-named and

developments and built steamer piers at Cove, Cove, at piers steamer built and developments Sobriety was an important element and to to and element important an was Sobriety

Inverclyde. In 1924 it was donated to the YMCA for use as a hostel hostel a as use for YMCA the to donated was it 1924 In Inverclyde.

coasts of the Rosneath peninsula for housing housing for peninsula Rosneath the of coasts

fields could be built by the Commissioners. Commissioners. the by built be could fields sugar merchants of Greenock and later purchased by the 1st Lord Lord 1st the by purchased later and Greenock of merchants sugar

the 8th Duke of Argyll feued the south and west west and south the feued Argyll of Duke 8th the . (1859) South Ailey Road, Cove. Built for Richardsons Richardsons for Built Cove. Road, Ailey South (1859) . Hartfield that waterworks and a Burgh Hall with recreational recreational with Hall Burgh a and waterworks that

Campbell Douglas Campbell

(1828–1910) As part of this demographic change, in 1848 1848 in change, demographic this of part As to enhance the Burgh giving very lenient feus so so feus lenient very giving Burgh the enhance to

standards were retained. The Duke also helped helped also Duke The retained. were standards

(c1873). Bridge. (Dowall) Dhault • 1862) (after (A) Lodge.

“watering holes” to flourish. to holes” “watering

Grafton Grafton • (1860s) (A) Villa. Ferndean • (1860s) (A) Hall. Barons control over the feued properties ensuring high high ensuring properties feued the over control

opportunities for smaller and more peaceful peaceful more and smaller for opportunities

(A) (1860s) (destroyed by fire) • • fire) by (destroyed (1860s) (A) Villa. Point Barons • (c1856) (A)

prosper. The Duke’s chamberlains retained a tight tight a retained chamberlains Duke’s The prosper.

Eden. Glen • (1855?) (D) Lodge & Castle Knockderry • (c1854) and Helensburgh thrived but there were also also were there but thrived Helensburgh and

and commissioners and as such it continued to to continued it such as and commissioners and

and boundary wall – Cove Cove – wall boundary and House Craigrownie. • (1851) (D) Villa

Firth. Coastal resorts such as Rothesay, Dunoon Dunoon Rothesay, as such resorts Coastal Firth.

Craig Ailey, Italian Italian Ailey, Craig • (1851) Kilcreggan (A) Ardsloy. • (1850) Cove 1865 administered by its own elected provost provost elected own its by administered 1865

the bustle of the city to the scenic beauty of the the of beauty scenic the to city the of bustle the

(D) (D) Lodge. Seymore • Ellerslie & Ashlea Re-named Cove. Road Cove & Kilcreggan became a Police Burgh in in Burgh Police a became Kilcreggan & Cove

built to bring passengers speedily away from from away speedily passengers bring to built Semi-detached Villas. (D) Shore Shore (D) Villas. Semi-detached Cottage. Cove • Glentrae named

(A) – Kilcreggan. Re- Kilcreggan. – (A) Lodge. Seaton • Cragowlet Re-named Cove.

(Helensburgh) Gourock and Greenock were were Greenock and Gourock (Helensburgh) elevated scenic views of the Firth of Clyde. Clyde. of Firth the of views scenic elevated

(D) (1850) – – (1850) (D) Cottage. Cave Ivy • Kilcreggan (A) Ellerly. • Kilcreggan

mania took hold rail terminals at Craigendoran Craigendoran at terminals rail hold took mania walkers. Others could walk Barbour Road for its its for Road Barbour walk could Others walkers.

(A) (A) Carradale. • manse Church Craigrownie

steamer piers dotted around its coast. As railway railway As coast. its around dotted piers steamer which had regular water fountains and seats for for seats and fountains water regular had which . (A) – Church Road. Built as as Built Road. Church – (A) . Anchorage The

(D = Documented. A = Attributed) = A Documented. = (D highway for passenger steamers with dozens of of dozens with steamers passenger for highway Pier and walk to Cove Pier via the Shore Road Road Shore the via Pier Cove to walk and Pier

include: practice

Victorian Glasgow the Firth of Clyde became a a became Clyde of Firth the Glasgow Victorian “excursionists”. Many would arrive at Kilcreggan Kilcreggan at arrive would Many “excursionists”.

residences designed or attributed to the the to attributed or designed residences

by holiday lets and day trippers known as as known trippers day and lets holiday by of expansion industrial massive the During Glasgow and its environs. Cove & Kilcreggan Kilcreggan & Cove environs. its and Glasgow

with immediate early success throughout throughout success early immediate with

Thomson was established in 1848 and met met and 1848 in established was Thomson

The Architectural partnership of Baird & & Baird of partnership Architectural The

Alexander Thomson Alexander

(1817–1875)

Rosneath Peninsula West Heritage Trail Heritage West Peninsula Rosneath

West Heritage Trail# Heritage West Architects of the Rosneath Peninsula Peninsula Rosneath the of Architects

The First Feus of Cove & Kilcreggan The first essential requirement in the plan to feu the area was to provide good transport links. Kilcreggan pier was opened in 1850 and was described as “a substantial pier with commodious waiting-rooms and other conveniences”. Cove Pier was opened in 1852. “An area of ground was deponed to John McElroy, contractor, Glasgow, by the Duke of Argyll in 1850”. John McElroy was “a native of Ireland and a mason to trade though later he became a successful railway contractor. He was a man possessed of refined architectural taste, as may Rosneath be seen by some of the most characteristic villas in Cove, which were built from his designs”. He was also described as an iron Peninsula George Campbell founder and proprietor of houses, living, with 8th Duke of Argyll his wife, at Craigrownie Cottage. Together with Thomas Forgan he took feus to the south of Cove Pier and built speculatively. Hamlet Hill and Turfhill were built to house the Heritage Trail necessary builders and craftsmen and they engaged Alexander Directions to Kilcreggan for the start of the West Heritage Trail Thomson as architect of some of the early large houses. These By Car: epitomised contemporary taste for setting grandiose residences in Scenic 16 mile drive from Helensburgh to Kilcreggan Pier via the A814 a rugged and picturesque landscape much beloved by Victorians. and B833 takes 30 minutes. Drive time from Glasgow is about 1 hour 15 Here the rich Glasgow merchants could create a haven of retreat away from the dirt and grime of the industrial city. Within a decade minutes. a string of villas and castles had appeared along the shore with By Bus: conformity to the ducal feu Charter tightly controlled to ensure Hourly bus service from Helensburgh to links with trains from Glasgow. stylish development. The B813 service from Helensburgh (Adjacent Helensburgh Central Station) to Coulport stops at Kilcreggan Pier. Journey time 40 minutes. Coulport Feus On Sundays the service is two hourly. There are regular bus stops along Coulport (one mile north along the coast of Peaton Road) was the the Shore Road route of the Heritage Trail. The B813 service also stop at site of an old ferry on the drovers route from Ardentinny on the Rosneath for the East Heritage Trail. west side of Loch Long. By Passenger Ferry: The Duke of Argyll later opened his Coulport Estate to feuing The SPT passenger ferry from Gourock to Kilcreggan Pier links with train building a pier in 1880. Only three feus were taken up, one by services from Glasgow. Passsage time is 10 minutes. It runs at regular architect James Boucher (1826 - 1906) of Boucher & Cousland, intervals on weekdays and Saturdays. There is no ferry service on Sundays. who designed Draynelg also known as Swiss Chalet. He also Post code of Kilcreggan pier for Sat Nav users is G84 0JH designed Coulport House for his friend and neighbour John Kibble, builder of Kibble Palace at Glagow’s Botanical Gardens). Overview of The Rosneath Peninsula West Heritage Trail: These residences were demolished in the 1970s to make way for The trail starts at Kilcreggan pier and proceeds North West for about 4.5 the Coulport Armament Depot. The only surviving structure is the miles to Peaton. stone foot of the steamer pier. For walkers, the burgh pavement on Shore Road runs for about 3 miles. It Some say that Harry Lauder’s song “Keep right on to the End of is not always wheelchair friendly. the Road” refers to his journey along Barbour Road to catch the Main car parking areas are at Kilcreggan Pier and Cove Bay. Coulport Ferry to Ardentinny en route to his estate at Glenbranter. Barbour Road is single track metalled road with light traffic. There are no official passing places or lay-bys. The Forestry Track runs from the top of Peaton Hill near the Nature Reserve. There is a limited car parking area at the reserve. The track has views to the east and terminates at the east end of Barbour Road where Photo credit: Alex and Bob’s Blue Sky Scotland there is limited parking.

Compiled by A. Bray & R. Reeve West Coast For more information visit: Coulport Feus including Swiss Cottage and Coulport House Kilcreggan Pier to Peaton www.rosneathpeninsulawest.com Peaton Hill Community Nature Reserve P Rosneath Peninsula West Heritage Trail

Kilcreggan Pier. Built in 1848 to encourage Shortly before reaching Cove Village is 1 feuing. It has the original signal discs dating 9 Cragowlet (LP93) – 4 apartments designed by from 1888 which regulated the order of Thomson. Cove Village is a series of tenement Peaton Road steamers racing for the pier. In its heyday type buildings built in 1876 with shops on up to 39 ferries a day would call here the ground floor. To the back of the cottage and on one June Sunday in 1880 1,500 at the east end of Urybank was the ‘Reading 9 “excursionists” alighted at the pier to enjoy Room’ until 1893. North Ailey Road (LP98) fresh air and peaceful surroundings. 1 leads up to Barbour Road for scenic walks. This was the original peninsula highway. 2 Kilcreggan village comprises 5 blocks of houses 100m. up on the right is Hamlet Hill, a group with shops at ground level. The first tenement of workmen’s cottages. 9 was built in 1876. The gables on some of the Forestry Walk buildings show later dates. Between two of Moving on to Cove Bay pass Clevedon (LP104) them, next to the bus stop, is Temperance 10 once the home of the Cayzer family, owners

Brae, the building beside it being once the of the Clan Shipping Line. The houses along B

Temperance Hotel. The Burgh prided itself Cove Bay are imposing Victorian villas. Cove a

r b

on being a temperance area. Glendhu (LP Castle, designed by James Sellars in 1867, o

u

2 r

20) is one of the earliest feus. looks down over the bay. At LP105 are the

R o

remains of Cove Pier demolished in 1958. a

d

, Donaldson Brae (LP 24) leads up to Kilcreggan

Seymour Lodge, (LP 106) built 1850 is an 10 S

3 i Hotel originally called Woodbine, summer n

authentic very early Alexander Thomson. Next g l residence of Peter Donaldson who was an iron 13 e to it is Ferndene, probably Thomson, built T

r and steel merchant from Glasgow. His uncle for a member of the Blackie family with links a c

k built Heathfield further east on Argyll Road. to Hill House, Helensburgh. Note the garden R o a wall and the gateway at the end of it which d Going west along Shore Road is the Italianate 4 has an owl on one side and a fox on the other. Auchendarroch and next to it (LP 32) the Further on, opposite the car park, a lane leads 13 small Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson villa, 10 12 3 to The Linn, built in 1859 by W. Motherwell for Ardsloy. Continuing west, the Victorian rock Mr Martin who had a boot and shoe factory in art on the shore was re-painted in 1922 to the Vale of Leven. It is now a botanical garden celebrate Tutankhamen and named Tut-tut. and nursery open to the public. At the east end of Silver Bay (LP 46) are four 10 identical villas originally named after the royal The Dhualt (Dowall) Bridge at the end of the bay 11 houses of Windsor, Holyrood, Carleton and 11 was designed c1873 by Thomson. In the vicinity Claremont although Windsor and Carleton are more distinctive houses. For example, (LP were renamed Rockliffe and Lovedale. Shortly 4 111) Woodside, Armadale and Cragdarroch Cove Bay before School Road and set back against the (LP 113). Above to the North sits the Thomson P Car Park cliff is the Italianate Balgair (LP 52). designed Knockderry Castle built c1851, with extensions designed by Honeyman in 1869 Beyond School Road Glentrae (LP57) is a mirror 10 and additions in 1896-7 by W. Leiper for J.S. 11 5 4 image of Ardsloy. Some of the next houses Templeton, the carpet manufacturer. During 6 were named after hymn tunes, Winton, WW2 it was used as a Free French Hospital. Greenhill, Kenilworth, St Vincent Park and Rockingham (LP64). The old United The Knockderry House Hotel was built mid 19th Presbyterian church “Lindowan” is awaiting 12 C with later additions by William Leiper showing To Rosneath development. Note its boundary wall, gate American Arts & Crafts influence. 11 piers and old wooden gate. Barbour Cemetery (3.7m) following the Shore Cove Burgh Hall, designed in 1893 by James 13 Road take care as there are no pavements. 6 Chalmers for the Burgh Commissioners. Since 6 A sign on Shore Road points uphill to the 2001 it has been run by the community. cemetery with limited parking. Opposite is the War Memorial. Church Road The Cemetery contains the graves and North Ailey Road leads up to Craigrownie Parish Church built impressive monuments to many notable in 1852 and enlarged by Honeyman and families of the Victorian era who lived here 12 Keppie in 1889. Shortly after the cemetery turning, the centre 9 1 one of three houses on the Shore Road was

y

e Between Cove Burgh Hall and North Ailey Road l formerly Cove & Kilcreggan Gas Company i A 7 are 4 villas which include Kirklea and Glen Eden h built c1871. t u Kilcreggan Pier (see architect Alexander Thomson). S o

School Road

7 8 d Car Park

a o

South Ailey Road. On the right are the R h rc 8 u gate piers for Hartfield Castle which h 2 7 C became Inverclyde Holiday Home and was demolished in 1967. On the left is Shore Road B833 Craigrownie Castle in Scots Baronial Style 6

attributed to Thomson. Further up on the left 13 Argyll Road 8 5 is Craig Ailey, one of the first Thomson villas Loch Long Donaldson Brae being built in 1851. It provided the inspiration 8 P for many of the later villas. It was also known as the “Italian Villa”. 4 Passenger Ferry 1 from Gourock 8 3 (Not Sundays) 1 mile LP - Lamp post Follow the ‘Country Code’ and respect the privacy of private residencies (approx scale Firth of Clyde