decide to get a closer look at its inscription ‘BORN LINLITHGOW 1766 DIED HELENSBURGH 1830’ please be very careful crossing the busy main seafront road. This would be especially Helensburgh necessary if you were to visit ‘The Henry Bell’ - a pub restaurant opened in May 2012 by J. D. We hope that you have Wetherspoon! [7] enjoyed this leaflet, and have a continuing interest Helensburgh Library is on West King Street. This in this area. is two streets inland from the sea and near to the corner of John Street. Using great care again, walk Helensburgh Heritage Trust along the shops and up John Street and you will has established a centre in the town, within come to the glass fronted library.[8] Inside, on the Helensburgh Library in West King Street where wall of the balcony is mounted a 'half-ship' model a local history exhibition and collection of Comet which was commissioned by Norman may be viewed. Glen in 2002, sadly Norman died before it was We invite you to become a member, to receive finished, but his family presented it for display. our Newsletter and attend our regular meetings Nearby is the Heritage Room which contains a on subjects of local interest. changing exhibition of Helensburgh’s past and will Contact the Chairman at certainly have something more 28, East Abercromby Street about Henry Bell, probably Helensburgh G84 7SQ including a life size bust from or e-mail 1824. The final visit is to the village of [email protected] Rhu two miles along the shore of The Gareloch. or see our web sites Its prominent www.helensburgh-heritage.co.uk church and churchyard face Rhu Bay. Henry www.comet-2012.co.uk Bell's grave is here, and there is a Stewart Noble large monument with himself Chairman seated on a plinth. [9] In the same churchyard is buried This leaflet was designed and published by Helensburgh Heritage Trust Captain Robert Bain who Kenneth N.Crawford for the Trust commanded the first and second [email protected] July 2012 A Company Limited by Guarantee No. 162677 Comets for 16 years, according to Scottish Charity No. SC 024603 the Iron Memorial placed by Henry Bell in 1829. Enter the town on the main road A814 from local authority and which indicate that Henry Bell was lights and heading up Sinclair Cardross. Go under the West Highland line the first provost of Helensburgh and lived in the Baths Street, a main shopping area, to railway bridge and over the electric railway line Inn and the other refers to Norman McLeod Glen, who the next lights and crossing to Helensburgh. There are then a number of was the last Provost 1970-75 and had an apartment in again, because, immediately on splendid houses on the left, and a few more Queen’s Court overlooking the Firth of Clyde. your right are the Municipal modern houses. Beyond an Apartment Block is Buildings, and over the front the car park and courtyard of the Queen's Court Moving on, along East Clyde Street, very soon a view door is an excellent bust of apartments. The central building here was of the Clyde opens out at Henry Bell himself, obviously originally the Baths Inn, built by Henry Bell in the East Bay Esplanade and intended to keep a watchful eye 1807, subsequently it was run by Mrs Bell for in the middle is the original on successor Councillors! [5] another 50 years and then later changed its name fly wheel from Comet and Next, cross at the lights but go along West Princes to the Queens Hotel, much loved in also an anvil donated to Street to Colquhoun Square. Facing you are two Helensburgh. After the hotel closed the mark its centenary in 1912 Celtic Crosses; the far one marking the 1902 extensions were built on each side and round the to the Town Council by the centenary of Helensburgh Burgh Council’s charter corner, and Grandchildren of Bell’s and the near one, on your right, marking its the interior of blacksmith Daniel McMurrich .[2] bicentenary in 2002. Round the rear of this, you will the hotel and Resuming, walk along East Clyde Street, the town centre find a complete list of all of the provosts of extensions traffic lights are the next stopping point, on your left Helensburgh, starting with Henry Bell and finishing were turned within the tower of the Old Parish Church is the Tourist with Norman Glen. [6] Before continuing further into private Information Centre.[3] Looking ahead, one can already look up at custom made street lamps bearing replicas luxury see, in the distance, the very large granite memorial to of ‘Comet.’ Then go along West Princes Street to apartments. Henry Bell erected in 1872. [4] Now, it would be an James Street and look south to the Firth of Clyde, The front is idea to leave the seafront, crossing the road by the traffic again the granite obelisk is prominent,[4] If you original. however, with its castellated Helensburgh Upper Station roofline and West Highland Railway “Queen’s Hotel” name high up on the wall, under the James Street Sinclair Street John Street castellations. [1] West King Street Colquhoun Street 8 Henry Bell Street Two street lamps Helensburgh Central to Glasgow Railway Rhu Church West Princes Street 6 5 outside the front 9 door, are original Rhu Road Lower West Clyde Street 77 East Clyde Street A814 From Cardross Provost Lamps 3 2 1 placed there by the 4.