Cardross and A. J. Cronin Part 5

In honour of A J Cronin's 113th birthday (19th July) , I've copied a photo of him from an old magazine which I bought recently (printed in 1952) and here are also a few of my own photos which I haven't included before. I hope it won't be too long until I can revisit Cardross and the surrounding countryside.

One of the lanes near Rosebank Cottage...

...and some views across the fields and the Clyde to Port Glasgow

Wemyss Bay Station

This beautiful station and pier bring back many memories for me, although we never took a ferry from here! (That came much later with my first wonderful trip across to Rothesay). We just used to drive down here from Greenock to have a walk and to admire the glorious architecture and all the floral displays which used to adorn the concourse and facade in the spring and summer months. Sadly, I don't think it is ever decorated in that way these days. My photos are from 2008.

The pier and station from the ferry on its way back from Rothesay

The Undiscovered Scotland page about this station does it far more justice than my photos - you can see it here. The Wemyss Bay website here is also very interesting with more about the history of the station.

Largs: Haylie Chambered Tomb

In 2008, we climbed up the hill at the back of Douglas Park to visit this Neolithic tomb which was built around 3000 BC. It stands in a field close to the path and is very interesting to see. It was discovered in the 18th century by James Wilson of Haylie when the cairn (known as Margaret's Law) was removed to be used for building on his estate. The remains of five people were found.

View across to Cumbrae from the path near the Haylie Tomb

Greenock: Princes Pier

I remember this attractive old pier in the west end of Greenock with great affection. Work on it began in 1862, finished in 1870 and an extension was then added in 1921. It had its own railway station too and interesting photos can be seen here. In its day the pier was incredibly busy with many visiting craft, not least for all the thousands of passengers to be taken to, or brought back from, the huge liners sailing to and from America and Canada. Eventually, the pier at Gourock proved too much competition, Princes Pier began to be used less and less and unfortunately it was demolished in 1965 - what a waste!

Although it was somewhere we often walked I only have one personal photo, so I'm including a couple of old pictures from my collection.

Here I am with my Mum and aunties in 1961

Greenock: Bowling Club

The Bowling Club grounds were right across the road from where my aunts lived in Ardgowan Square and, as the gate was usually open, it was where we sometimes went to take photos!

An old photo (not mine!!) of the Bowling Club from Ardgowan Square, around 1906

This is me in Ardgowan Square with the Bowling Club in the background, 1959

Inside the Bowling Club grounds in 1961..

...and again in 1969

Auntie Lett outside the gates in 1966

You can find the Bowling Club website here
(there is a detailed history of the club and many old and new photos)