Helensburgh
The visitor guide on Helensburgh in Argyll gives you information on and around the place, including getting in and around, sights, accommodation and hotels in Helensburgh.
On the west coast, the Lowlands and Highlands are separated by the Firth of Clyde, which leads eventually into the heart of the city of Glasgow. Twenty-three miles northwest of Glasgow on the A814, overlooking the Clyde, is the town of Helensburgh, its wide, grid-plan streets lined with elegant Georgian houses. The town boasts a few very notable connections; both Henry Bell, originator of the steamship, and John Logie Baird, who invented the television, were born here.
Phone code: +44 (0) 1436 Population: 14,000
Region
ArgyllTravel Directions to Helensburgh
Getting there
There is a daily ferry service to and from Gourock. There are also 2 train stations: one for Glasgow trains, and the other for trains to Oban and Fort William.
The tourist information centre is in the clock tower on the waterfront, Tel. 672642. Open Apr to mid-May daily 1000-1700; mid-May to Jun daily 0930-1800; Jul-Sep daily 0930-1900; early Oct Mon-Fri 1000-1630, Sat-Sun 1000-1700.
Getting around
There's a daily passenger-only CalMac ferry service from Helensburgh to Kilcreggan (30 mins) and Gourock (42 mins), from where there are regular trains to Glasgow Central and other ferries to Dunoon.
Helensburgh has 2 train stations. The Central Station has a regular service (every 30 mins) to and from Glasgow (45 mins), while the Upper Station serves Oban (3 times daily; 2 hrs 15 mins) and Fort William (4 daily Mon-Sat, 3 on Sun; 3 hrs). For times, contact Scotrail, Tel. 08457-484950.
Local Sights & Activities for Helensburgh
Helensburgh is most famously known for its connection with the great Glasgow architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh. In the upper part of the town, on Upper Colquhoun Street, is Hill House, one of the best examples of Mackintosh's work. The house was designed for Glasgow publisher Walter Blackie in 1902-04, and is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland. The house is a masterpiece of balanced perfection and artistry and there's much to admire. The attention to detail, the use of natural light, the symbolism of the floral patterns and use of light and dark – hallmarks of his personal Art Nouveau style – are all very much in evidence.
After exploring the house, you can visit the kitchen, which has been tastefully converted into a tearoom (open 1330-1630). Tel. 673900. Apr-Oct daily 1330-1730. To get there from the Central Train Station, walk about a mile and a half up Sinclair St, then turn left at Kennedy St and follow the signs. From Helensburgh Upper Station it's a 5-min walk.
Walks
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Faslane Peace Camp
30 years of continuous protest against Nuclear weapons outside the home to Britains nuclear deterrent. A visit offers an opportunity to hear and understand the nuclear arguments from people who care
Helensburgh Hotels & Accommodation
Sleeping
The most upmarket place to stay is The Commodore Hotel, 112-117 West Clyde St, Tel. 676924, Fax. 677112. 45 rooms. West Clyde Street overlooks the loch and is where , Tel. 673461,
There are lots of B&Bs, including Ava Lodge, 44 Glasgow St, Tel. 677751
Self Catering Cottages in Helensburgh
- Middledrift Sleeps 4 - 6
Helensburgh Cottages and Holiday SelfCatering
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Craigallion Cottage, Kilcreggan - Sleeps 5
Sited in the garden adjacent to Craigallion House, at the southern most point of the idyllic Rosneath Peninsula where the rugged Argyll mountains meet the sea, this Victorian cottage (1850) has sea views f... -
Mid Flat West,Kilcreggan, sleeps 4
This first floor holiday apartment is situated in the heart of Kilcreggan and boasts stunning views over Loch Long and the Firth of Clyde, with the hills of the Cowal peninsula and mountains of Argyll as a... -
Tarandoun Cottage, Helensburgh nr Glasgow - Sleeps 4
Situated on the shores of the River Clyde with views to Port Glasgow, Greenock and beyond, this enchanting holiday cottage offers an ideal base to explore the beauty of Argyll and Bute including Loch Lomon...