When steamboats first plied on the Clyde, Rothesay was a small town known for its mild climate and safe anchorage, the quality of its kippers, and its cotton spinning mill. Rothesay quay, and the modest harbour was not quite adequate to handle steamboats. The funding for repairs was raised by public subscription, half of which came from the Marquess of Bute, and a loan from the Government Commission. Planning began in 1822 and by the following year, construction was underway to provide the basic form of the harbour that exists today. By 1824, the stonework was largely completed, and a slip to allow cattle and carriages to be handled at the right angle of the new pier.
The Town Council had no legal authority to impose charges for the use of the pier, and in 1831, a Harbour Trust was authorized by Parliament with revenue raising powers. About this time, a drawbridge between the old or mid-pier, and the new pier was added.
Around 1840, a slip for ship repair was constructed to the west of the pier, and an adjacent area was infilled to provide a shipbuilding yard. In 1853, the breast wall along Princes Street was renewed and in 1861, Princes Pier, later to be called Albert Pier, was functional.
Many years ago, my trips to Rothesay always included a visit to “The Penny Black,” a stamp shop in Montague Street where George Savage sold old photographs and postcards of the steamers and the town. He was most helpful in dating photographs of the pier and the esplanade.
The earliest of the photographs in my collection date from about 1866 and show the pier with the shipbuilding yard. On the corner of the west or new quay can be seen the slip for loading cattle and a 2-ton crane that was installed in 1860. It was replaced by a larger crane in 1868.
Rothesay in 1866. At the pier there are two steamers, The one with the white funnel at the entrance to the outer harbour is a Wemyss Bay steamer, possibly Victory of 1864 or the Argyll of 1866. At the front of the pier is an older steamer with her single funnel aft of the paddle box, perhaps Captaim M‘Lean’s Vulcan
Two steamers are at the pier in this view
This view from the east in 1866 shows the two-funneled North British steamer Dandie Dinmont and Captain Duncan Stewart’s new Athole
Of similar vintage, this photograph shows the Venus of 1854 is in the foreground with the Wemyss Bay Co.’s Argyll at the pier and the Mary Jane of 1846 in the outer harbour (Annan)
Around 1870, the town began to fashion an esplanade along the front by infilling the shoreline.
The area to be infilled is visible in this view (Wahington Wilson)
Mr M‘Lea’s shipbuilding yard closed in 1872, and he retained the repair slip for a year or two but soon it too was subsumed. A new slip for cattle was positioned at the west end of the pier.
The seawall of the esplanade is completed but some infilling is required and the boatyard is being dismantled. Gilles & Campbell’s Largs is at the entrance to the outer-harbour. She will sail to Wemyss Bay shortly. Iona is loading for Ardrishaig on the Royal Route
This view dates from the first few years of the 1870s where the boatyard has been prepared for incorporation into the esplanade, and the repair slip is still in operation. At the pier, the twin-funneled Guinevere will sail for Arran, and the white funneled Argyll is waiting to connect with Wemyss Bay.
With the completion of the esplanade, an iron bandstand donated by Thomas Russell and manufactured by the Saracen Foundry in Glasgow, was placed in a prominent position.
These three photographs date from the 1875-76 period with the bandstand in place and the Parish Church yet to be built. At the pier are Marquis of Bute (1868) with a red funnel and the Wemyss Bay steamer Argyll. In the outer harbour, the Wemyss Bay Lady Gertrude (1872) and Athole (1866) lie side by side (Washington Wilson)
Lady Gertrude and Argyll are at the pier while Marquis of Bute sits in the outer harbour (Washington Wilson)
Lady Gertrude and Athole in the outer harbour (Washington Wilson)
The New Rothesay Parish Church on the seafront dates from around 1877. The old Rothesay Parish Church was inconveniently located and a Chapel of Ease was established in the town. This became a Quoad Sacra Parish, New Rothesay, in 1872, and the distinctive new church building with its tall spire was built at the west end of the front.
The new church on the west front can be seen in this photograph. A smack is at the end of the pier (Valentine)
Athole in the outer harbour and Marquis of Bute around 1878 (Valentine)
Argyll and Sultana (1868) at the pier with Lancelot (1868) in the outer harbour. Lady Gertrude was wrecked in 1877 (Valentine
Sultan (1861) at the pier with Lancelot (1868) in the outer Harbour (Valentine)
Lancelot (1868) and Iona (1864) at the pier around 1880 (Valentine)
In 1878, Albert Place was extended and the sea wall was improved a few years later in 1886.
One of the major changes on the pier that took place was in 1884 when the imposing new pier buildings, incorporating the clock tower were opened. Two years later, the crane on the quay was removed. A crane was installed on Albert Pier when it was extended so that heavier cargoes could be unloaded there.
Ivanhoe (1880) approaches the pier in 1884 on her way to Arran by way of the Kyles (Valentine)
A busy pier in 1884 with the new pier buildings. Inverary Castle (1846) is at the west end of the pier with Viceroy (1875) behind her. In the entrance to the outer harbour, the new North British Jeanie Deans (1884) lies at the pier
Adela (1877) built to replace Lady Gertrude sits at the pier around 1884 (Poulton)
Athole (1866) sits at the east end of the pier with Columba (1978) on her way to Ardrishaig berths at the crowded pier. Adela lies to the west (Poulton)
Another notable feature is Glenburn House on the east side of the Bay that was turned into a hydropathic by Dr Paterson in 1843. It was greatly renovated in 1892.
The Wemyss Bay Victoria (1886) lies at the west berth while Iona (1864) closes on the pier around 1888 (Valentine)
The new Lord of the Isles (1891) on her way to Inveraray, and the Caledonian Marquis of Breadalbane (1890) at the east end of the pier around 1891 (Valentine)
Columba and the Caledonian Steam Packet Galatea (1889) at the pier around 1890
Marchioness of Lorne (1891), Columba and Lord of the Isles at the pier around 1891
Galatea at the east end of the pier with a Caledonian Marchioness in the outer harbour. North British Guy Mannering and Glasgow & South Western Mercury are on the pier front (Annan)
The Fair at Rothesay with Columba and a Caledonian Marchioness in the 1890s
Glasgow & South Western Mercury (1892) around 1896
The pier front had been able to accommodate three steamers for many years, but by the 1890s, the increasing length of the vessels required a pier extension. However, the work was delayed until 1897, and completed in 1899 with a slip for cattle incorporated into the pier face. A new goods shed was erected on the west pier, next to the promenade.
Columba and Lord of the Isles in a race to leave the pier after it was extended. Note the goods shed on the west pier
Iona heads up the Kyles (Ritchie)
Glasgow & South Western Jupiter heads for Arran while Lord of the Isles sits at the pier. At the western end is a Caledonian Marchioness (Ritchie)
Turbine steamers King Edward (1901) leaves the pier while Queen Alexandra (1902) approaches. Captain Williamson’s Strathmore lies in the cargo berth (Ritchie)
Iona and the Glasgow & South Western Mars are at the front of the pier while Benmore (1876) occupies the cargo berth. North British Talisman (1896) is at the east end of the pier
The new century brought some changes in the pier facilities. New waiting rooms were opened in 1903. In 1907 the decision was taken to replace the drawbridge with a swing-bridge that was officially opened on May 20, 1908.
Duchess of Rothesay (1895) opening the extension to Albert Pier
Albert Pier was extended in 1908 and a new crane installed. This was opened in May, 1909. Two years later, a building on the solid part of Albert Pier was approved and built.
Marchioness of Lorne (1891) occupies the pier with the new swing bridge in place around 1910
Early in 1911 it was decided to replace the old Russell Bandstand on the Esplanade. The new bandstand was opened by John Reid of Ardencraig on Monday, 5th of June, 1911. There were seats in the enclosure in front of the stage for 1,000 people.
Glasgow & South Western Neptune at the east end of the pier with a North British steamer at the west end. A Caledonian Marchioness is arriving. The building on Albert Pier is complete
Glasgow & South Western Glen Sannox at the Pier
North British Marmion heads up the firth for Craigendoran while a Caledonian Duchess sits at the Pier. Kylemore (1897) occupies to cargo berth
The bandstand was incorporated into the new Winter Gardens that opened in 1924.
Columba, Jupiter, and Duchess of Rothesay at the Pier in 1923. The Winter Gardens are in the course of construction
Jupiter with her new hull colour at the Pier in 1924. The Winter Gardens building is complete.
J Burnett Lawson, “Glimpses of Rothesay and Its People Fifty Years Ago,” John Smith, Glasgow, 1923
Ian MacLagan, “Rothesay Harbour,” Buteshire Natural History Society Transactions XIX, Rothesay, 1975