ALL Aboard For Doors Open Weekend Tours — Including A Look At Inverclyde’s Historic Railways
Wemyss Bay Station and Pier
A TOUR looking at Inverclyde’s historic railway lines is among a number of local excursions lined up by Inverclyde Tourist Group for Doors Open Weekend.
The train station tour will feature experts giving insights into some of the area’s most fascinating railway architecture inculding how the longest railway tunnel in Scotland came to be, the strategic role the pierhead stations played during World Wars, and the importance the lines had in making Inverclyde a ‘doon the watter’ holiday destination.
Murals at Port Glasgow Station
Railway stations being visited include the renowned terminus at Wemyss Bay, where Nancy Cameron and Greg Beecroft will be the speakers, and Port Glasgow, where the highlight will be murals recentlyinstalled by RIG Arts who are providing a commentary.
Fort Matilda Station
At Gourock, Alistair Alexander will be the expert guide. He is a former BBC Sports commentator, historian and writer and was responsible for the war-time panels at the station. Fort Matilda is the base for Greenock and District Model Club and its president Dr Brian Thompson will lead a guided tour there.
The coach tour leaves from Stance 4 at Kilblain Street Bus Station, Greenock at 10.30am on Sunday 10 September and will last about three hours. The Inverclyde Tourist Group guides will be Betty Terris and Lorna Mackinlay.
The tour is free but places must be pre-booked online or by calling 01475 715564 before noon on Friday 8 September. Bus access may not be suitable for those with mobility restrictions.
Other Doors Open Weekend Inverclyde Tourist Group Tours
A Tail of Three Hills — Saturday 9 September, 10.30am, from Stance 4, Kilblain Street Bus Station, Greenock
This coach tour, lasting around two hours, includes Tower Hill in Gourock, with its views across the river to Loch Long, the Arrochar Alps, Holy Loch and Dunoon plus its own historical monument; then Lyle Hill, Greenock to take in the views across Battery Park to the Argyll hills and discover the story behind the Cross of Lorraine and Free French Memorial. Finally the tour goes to the scenic viewpoint on Kilmacolm Road, Greenock, for the panorama stretching from Glasgow in the east to Kilcreggan and Strone in the west and the Highlands to the north.
The tour is free but places must be pre-booked online or by calling 01475 715564 before noon on Friday 8 September. Bus access may not be suitable for those with mobility restrictions.
Be A Tourist In Your Own Town — Port Glasgow and Kilmacolm — Saturday 9 September, 1.30pm, from Port Glasgow Bus Station
This coach tour, lasting around three hours, starts with Port Glasgow’s proud maritime heritage, including the Comet replica, contrasting with the new houses at Kingston Dock and Ferguson Marine’s new shipyard. Other highlights are Newark Castle, the modern housing development at Woodhall and the farms, mansions and churches of Kilmacolm, plus the new mural exhibition in Port Glasgow Railway Station.
The tour is free but places must be pre-booked online or by calling 01475 715564 before noon on Friday 8 September. Bus access may not be suitable for those with mobility restrictions.
Guided Walk in Greenock’s Historic Quarter — Saturday 9 September, 10.30am, from Municipal Buildings Clyde Square
Take a step back in time and discover the hidden treasures of Greenock’s rich past on this walk, which lasts around two hours. Starting at the Victorian Town Hall and Municipal Buildings, the journey takes in the history of the ‘Toon Kirk’ before a wander down William Street to see some of Greenock’s oldest surviving buildings. It then heads down to the river, to the Custom House building.
The tour is free but places must be pre-booked online or by calling 01475 715564 before noon on Friday 8 September.
Open the door to Inverclyde and Greenock Cut — Sunday 10 September, 1.30pm, from Stance 4, Kilblain Street Bus Station, Greenock
This circular coach tour, lasting around three hours, goes into the hills behind Greenock to appreciate the flora and fauna and understand the geography and geology that make up the area. It heads to Greenock Cut visitor Centre at Loch Thom where a ranger from Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park will lead a short walk along the Cut, weather permitting. Alternatively, the ranger will give an illustrated talk and there will be time to visit the interactive exhibition in the centre.
The tour is free but places must be pre-booked online or by calling 01475 715564 before noon on Friday 8 September. Bus access may not be suitable for those with mobility restrictions.
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