William M‘Kim — Renton photographer

on May 14, 2021

William M‘Kim was born in 1883 in the village of Renton in the Vale of Leven where his father was postmaster. He was apprenticed as a draughtsman. Early in his life he and his younger brother David, developed an interest in photography that led to the production of postcards, mainly of scenes around his native village. “The Renton” as it is known was a thriving centre for the bleaching and dyeing industry. Renton from the lower slopes of the Carman hill, looking to Dumbarton and showing the chimneys of Dalquhurn works around 1908. The railway station is on the extreme right. Renton from the west looking down King Street to Renton Cross around 1908. In the foreground are the houses of Back Street and beyond those of the Main Street. Across the River Leven are the policies of the Strathleven estate. Renton Main Street with the tramline to Loch Lomond. Renton from further north on the...

Innen’s Quay—A note on Tigh-na-bruaich

on Jan 16, 2021

The origins of some of the piers and landing places on the Clyde are shrouded in mist, perhaps none more so than Tighnabruaich. The previous article on the pier cited 1843 as the date when the pier was erected. This information came from Frank Arneil Walker’s tome, “The Buildings of Scotland, Argyll and Bute,” published by Penguin in 2000, and generally an impeccable source as it accesses architectural plans that are well-dated. The plans are presented in Ian McCrorie’s book “Tighnabruaich Pier,” published by the Tighnabruaich Pier Association in 2002. Indeed the plans for the quay at Tighnabruaich were likely drawn up in 1843 for the Castle Steamboat Company, but the construction of the pier was a year or so later. In the Glasgow Herald in February 1844, there is an advertisement for feuing of the shore at Over Innens that mentions the ferry at Tigh-na-Bruaich, and a year or so later,...

Edgar Battersby’s trip to Rothesay

on Sep 25, 2019

I was recently contacted by a gentleman by the name of Rupert Battersby who has a large number of quarter-plate glass negatives taken by his great uncle, Edgar Battersby. Some of these were taken on a trip to Scotland in August 1913, and just over twenty feature views taken on the Clyde and Loch Lomond. This is an important and interesting collection and I have been given permission to reproduce the photographs of the Clyde on this site. I have to point out that these images are copyright and any further use requires permission of the owner. The Battersby family were hat manufacturers from Stockport in Lancashire. A history of the business has been documented in a book “Battersby Hats of Stockport — An Illustrated History” also by Rupert Battersby and published by Amberley in 2016. The factory in Stockport closed in 1966. Edgar Battersby was a young man on his visit to Scotland. He is...

Tigh-na-bruaich

on Dec 16, 2017

The village of Tighnabruich lies west of the mouth of Loch Ridden in a sheltered location with spectacular views to the south, down the western arm of the Kyles of Bute. The remote site is passed over in the early guides and accounts of sailing through the Kyles. Lumsden’s Steamboat Companion gives no mention, even in its later editions:— “From Rothesay the channel, for some miles, takes a north-westerly course, leaving the Clyde, and taking the name of the Kyles of Bute, which encircles half the island. Opposite to Rothesay bay is Auchenwilliam, Kirkman Finlay, Esq.; and 2 miles on the left is Port Bannatyne Bay and Village which, as well as Rothesay, is the occasional retreat of sea-bathing visitors; at the head of the bay stands Kames Castle, Hamilton, a romantic situation; and near it, an old tower, in ruins. In sailing through this channel, several agreeable prospects are met...

The Storm of November 26, 1912

on Nov 24, 2017

On the afternoon of November 26, 1912, a storm of hurricane proportions hit the West of Scotland, bringing more than half an inch of rain, and winds gusting in excess of 75 miles an hour. The storm was not the most violent on record but its peak coincided with the high tide causing more widespread damage. High tide at Glasgow reached over 25 feet, the highest value since 1882 so that the channel was 50 feet deep. Contractors cranes were blown over at the new Meadowside Granary. The steamships Architect and Clydeholm were damaged in the harbour and the Cervales was ashore. Further down the river, Bowling Harbour was submerged and the Renfrew and Yoker ferries were suspended. Helensburgh was isolated with roads and railway flooded, Ashton esplanade was damaged and the esplanade at Fairlie was washed away. Some of the worst damage was recorded on the Cowal shore. Dunoon Town Council...

Captain Williamson and the Turbine Syndicate

on Nov 25, 2016

When the experimental turbine-powered steamship Turbinia created a sensation when she sped between the lines of warships at the Spithead Naval Review in June 1897. As a means of propulsion, the turbine had arrived and the initial commercialization fell to a syndicate composed of the Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company of Wallasey-on-Tyne, who supplied the turbines, William Denny and Brothers, who built the hull and boilers and finished the ship, and Captain John Williamson who had a need for a speedy craft for the service he provided to the distant Campbeltown in connection with the Glasgow and Southwestern Railway. King Edward on trials (Adamson) King Edward Dining Room (Turbine Steamers) King Edward Social Hall Lounge (Turbine Steamers) The King Edward was launched at Dumbarton on May 16, 1901, by Mrs, Parsons, wife of Hon. Charles A. Parsons. She was 250 ft long and 30 ft in...