Introduction

This evening, I am posting information and images concerning Helensburgh, an upscale residential town on the Firth of Clyde.

Information on Helensburgh

Location: Situated about thirty miles N.W. of Glasgow close to the junction of Gare Loch and the Firth of Clyde.

Name Origin: By Scottish standards, a relatively modern town. It is named after the wife of Sir James Colquhoun, who founded the town in the 1700s.

Population: About 15,600 persons.

Famous Son: Helensburgh was the home of John Logie Baird (1888-1946) who invented the earliest version of television, in 1926. This was a mechanical version of the medium and not the technology used today.

Most Famous Building: Hill House in Upper Colquhoun Street.This dates from 1903 and was designed by famous Glasgow architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The building was commissioned by wealthy publisher, Walter Blackie as a private, family home.

Mackintosh was allowed considerable freedom., This resulted in a blend of Arts & Crafts, Art Nouveau, Scottish Baronial and Japonisme influences.

The property is now owned by The National Trust for Scotland and is open to the public.

Military Connection: Helensburgh is just six miles south of the British nuclear submarine base at Faslane. From time to time submarines can be seen in the local waters.

Visitor information

Here are excellent scenic views, golf, shops and hotels, landscapes and pleasant walking routes. The town can be accessed by road or rail (two stations).

More information

For more information on Mackintosh architecture, the West of Scotland and many other facets of Scotland please refer Visitors’ Guide to Scotland, ISBN 978-1-9161332-0-4