The pier at Ardnadam, at 200 feet, the longest in the upper Firth, was built in 1858 to facilitate feuing at the head of the Holy Loch and along its southern fringe at Sandbank. The water at the head of the loch is quite shallow and the length of the pier was dictated to achieve sufficient depth of water at all states of the tide.

Glasgow Herald, April 5, 1858

“Extension of feuing at the coast.—Notwithstanding the mercantile depression, feuing and house building seem to be going on briskly at several of the watering places on the Clyde. The new pier erected at Ardnadam, Holy Loch, has led to some feus being taken off in its neighbourhood, and in a brief period there will, no doubt, be a continuous line of villas from Sandbank to the Lazaretto Point. At Hunter’s Quay a new terrace above the road has been laid off this year, and there are at present eight pretty cottages in various stages of building upon it. Blairmore, Lochlongside, is showing symptoms of extension, and a number of houses, including two handsome castellated residences, have lately sprung up on the banks of the Loch above Cove, while others are approaching completion in the same locality. At Gourock the erection of a manse for the Rev. Mr. Sandie, of the U.P. Church, has been commenced on the south side of the terrace above Kempock.”—Glasgow Herald, August 18, 1858

Glasgow Herald, July 9, 1859

“Coast.—The coast season may be said to have terminated yesterday, and the upward steamers had their decks heavily laden with baggage and impedimenta of all descriptions. The season was under an average one, as, owing to the inclemency of the latter portion, many houses at each of the watering places were unlet. Notwithstanding this, the various resorts of the denizens of Glasgow are rapidly extending their limits. There is now a continuous line of villas from Dunoon to the gate of the eastern entrance to Hafton House, and a terrace of handsome cottages has been erected above the villas north of Hunter’s Quay. The erection of the pier Ardnadam, Holy Loch, has led to the erection of several houses in its neighbourhood, and one or two houses have been built on the site of the Lazaretto. Blairmore has made a great stride to the northward of the pier; numerous residences of large size and elegant structure are using between Peaton and Cove; and the hill above Kilcreggan is being dotted by a number of cottages. Several feus have been taken off on the estate of Drimsynie, at the head of Lochgoil. A new terrace, commanding a magnificent view of river scenery, has been laid off above Ashton, Gourock, and, from its admirable situation, will no doubt soon be feued off.”—Greenock Advertiser, October 1, 1859

Glasgow Herald, March 12, 1860

Glasgow Herald, March 9, 1861

Glasgow Herald, February 9, 1864

However, this was not the first steamer pier in the area. More than a decade earlier, the village of Sandbank had its own pier.

“Already preparations are making at Dunoon, Kirn, and Sandbank, for the ensuing sea-bathing season, which, judging by present appearances, promises to one of unusual interest. The whole of the shore from Dunoon to the termination of Sandbank, which is directly opposite Kilmun, is studded with neat self-contained houses and cottages, suitable for all classes of those who annually frequent the sea bathing villages on the Clyde. Sandbank seems to have been decidedly improved in the external appearance of its villas, &c., since last year. The demand for houses at the head of Holy Loch promises, in a short time, to cause the construction of a continuous line neat summer retreats for invalids from Dunoon to Kilmun.”—Greenock Advertiser, March 28, 1845

“Preparations are making at all the watering places on the West Coast, for the ensuing sea-bathing season, and none more busily than at Holy Loch head, where the denizens of the comparatively speaking newly sprung up favourite village of Sandbank, are all on the qui vive to assume a status in the roll of summer resorts, for invalids and families who are in the habit of retiring few months in the year from the hum and bustle of a town life. Formerly this place was not so accessible as the others on the banks of the Loch, but this, chiefly through the indefatigable exertions of Mr. M‘Kinlay, has been got over by the construction of a substantial wooden quay, which extends so far out into the Loch to give a steamer sufficient depth of water at any time of the tide to arrive and depart; so that passengers and luggage arc safely embarked or disembarked without the danger inconvenience of small boats. This has given an impetus to the proprietor of the Luna, to “go-a-head,” which he has done by placing Sandbank in his notandum of callings at the Loch, thus opening up a direct communication from Glasgow downwards. On Monday last, the Luna made her first trip to Sandbank, and was enthusiastically received.”—Greenock Advertiser, April 29, 1845

What became of this pier, I have no record but it may well have formed the basis of one of the private jetties associated with the yacht-building firms.

Sandbank itself is well sheltered and sprawls along the southern shore of the loch and through it passes the main road from Dunoon to the Glens of Cowal and Loch Fyne, important routes of access throughout history. In the 1840s there was a gunpowder mill in Glen Lean above the village where charcoal made from alder was milled with sulfur and nitrate. East of the village was a Lazaretto, a quarantine station for goods, that were suspected of carrying disease when arriving in the Clyde from overseas ports where problems were endemic. The Lazaretto was decommissioned and the warehouses and other materials were made available for building new housing in the feuing boom in 1849.

Glasgow Herald, September 29, 1848

Greenock Telegraph, April 20, 1849

Greenock Telegraph, June 29, 1849

Sandbank from the shore (Lilywhite)

Hugh Macdonald’s description of the area in 1857 from “Days at the Coast” is worth quoting. “On the other or Dunoon side, we have the fine lands of Hafton, with their stately mansion (the sent of James Hunter, Esq.), and the old Lazaretto, where ships from “foreign parts” used to ride quarantine ere they were permitted to ascend the Clyde. An extensive range of stores were erected here by government for the reception of infected goods, with houses for the superintendent and his assistants. Quarantine now-a-days has fallen into disrepute, and the establishment is consequently deserted. Itis a lovely spot, and lovely is the scenery around, but we doubt not that many a weather-beaten tar has cursed the locality as to him a dreary prison, and longed in bitterness of heart for the hour when the vessel might be permitted todepart. The neighbourhood of the old Lazaretto would make a capital site for a watering village, and we observe there are already symptoms of its being appropriated to some such purpose. Here and there along the shore we canmark a cottage or two arising. Farther on is the village of Sandbank, nicely situated on the Hafton shore. Few of the cottages are of particular mark or likelihood, but the village has a splendid look-out upon the loch, with Kilmun on the opposite side, and the heaven-kissing hills beyond. In a landward direction, also, the residents of Sandbank have abundant scope for rural rambles and recreations. There are several beautiful sylvan walks in the neighbourhood. One of the most delightful of these is that which leads by the little fresh water lake of Dunloskin to Dunoon.”

“Sea-Bathing Visitors at the Coast.—It is expected that the seaside residences will he more frequented this season than they have been for years. Some of the adjoining landed proprietors are availing themselves of the demand for increased accommodation; and we understand that Mr. Hunter of Hafton has added the Lazaretto Bay, on the Holy Loch, to his feuing plan. The projected road in front of the Lazaretto will afford a ready access to and from the Kirn Pier; but it is the fine position of the ground itself, and the facilities for fishing and boat-sailing, which will render it principally attractive.—Courier.”—Glasgow Herald, May 7, 1849

The earliest photograph here dates from about 1870, and shows the church, built in 1868.

Sandbank around 1870 (Chalmers)

Parish Church, Sandbank

In the late 1860s, a proposal for an oyster and mussel fishery by the feudal superior, Hunter of Hafton, created considerable animosity with the feuars.

Shipping and Mercantile Gazette, January 22, 1968

“Sandbank. Proposed Mussel and Oyster Fishery in Holy Loch. A public meeting of proprietors, feuars, and residents of Dunoon, Sandbank, Kilmun, Strone, and Blairmore, was held in the School-house, Sandbank, Saturday night, 15th instant, to take into consideration the application made to the Board of Trade, by James Hunter, Esq. of Hafton, for powers to establish a mussel and oyster fishery on the shore or bed of the Holy Loch. There was about 300 gentlemen present. Robert Hunter, Esq., Broxwood, was called to the chair; and, in introducing the business of the evening, expressed his regret that such a meeting was necessary, and said that it was a proceeding altogether out of keeping with the character of modern times for any landed proprietor to ask for powers to place such restrictions on the shores or waters of a public loch in so populous a district as those which Mr James Hunter, of Hafton, now sought, and he did hope that he would think better of it, and give up the scheme. The meeting was afterwards addressed by Mr Mathieson and Mr Faulds, writers, who, in the course of their remarks, explained fully the powers that would be conferred on Mr James Hunter, of Hafton, if the Board of Trade granted what asked for; that it was virtually a shutting up of the Holy Loch as a place of resort for summer visitors; that the shores of the Holy Loch were as thickly populated and as much traffic was carried on as on the banks of the Clyde; that it certainly never could be the intention of the Board of Trade to grant exclusive protective rights for mussel or oyster beds, where it would be so detrimental to public interests, and it was really surprising that Mr James Hunter should ever have entertained the idea. A resolution thoroughly condemning the scheme was then put to the meeting, and carried unanimously. Mr Hunter, of Hafton, who was present, on being appealed to by the chairman, gave some explanations of his views, and stated his determination to go on with his plans. Mr Faulds then moved that a memorial of objections be prepared, signed by the chairman on behalf of the meeting, and transmitted to the Board of Trade, corroborative of the one already sent signed by about forty of the feuars of Sandbank.”—Greenock Telegraph, February 18, 1868

“The oyster and mussel fisheries in Holy Loch. The Select Committee appointed by the House of Commons to inquire into the merits of a bill for establishing an oyster and mussel fishery in Holy Loch met yesterday morning —Sir Philip Egerton in the chair. The other members of the committee were—Colonel Brise, Mr Young, and Mr Amory, with Sir John Duckworth referee. Mr J. Clark, Q.C., and Mr Hunter appeared for the promoters of the bill, which was opposed by Mr Davidson, on behalf of the inhabitants of Sandbank.

“Mr Clark, in a lengthened statement, opened the case for the promoters, contending that the establishment of an oyster and mussel fishery was wise and proper thing, that the loch was eminently suited for such purpose, and that no real inconvenience to the inhabitants on its shores or vessels seeking shelter in its waters would be experienced by the proposed fishery. He then tolled Thomas Anderson, who spoke to the suitability of the loch, and the importance of the mussel fishery. He had no doubt of its success, and he passed his opinion upon 36 years’ experience as an oyster dealer in the Firth of Forth.

“John Coffie was next examined in support of the bill. To him also the scheme had a favourable aspect. He said he was an oyster culturist, residing at Wemyss Bay, but had no experience of Scotch oyster breeding. His experience was confined to 17 years’ oyster breeding in Ireland. Dugald M‘Lachlan, lessee of the quay and ferry at Sandbank, gave evidence as to the beds already at the head of the loch. John Loudon, fisherman in Holy Loch, as to the existence of oysters there about the year 1824, when they were plentiful. This was all the evidence in favour of the bill.

“Witnesses were then called for the petitioners, the first of whom was Alexander Robertson, feuar at Sandbank, and postmaster of that village. He said: For 33 years I was occupied as a fisherman, and consequently know the Holy Loch and the adjacent fishing grounds well. The Holy Loch is one of the best harbours in the West of Scotland. It is well sheltered, and has excellent hold of ground, and from its nearness to Greenock is frequently taken advantage of by storm-stayed vessels. I have, I believe, seen from sixty to seventy vessels in the loch at one time. The visitors who come to the place resort to the shore regularly to gather shellfish, gallaghans, lady fish, and mussels. The poor people in the place also gather these shellfish. I am sorry to say that we could prove at the inquiry that a woman in poor circumstances had many a day been thankful to get down to the shore and get a supply of shellfish for herself and her sister, who was an invalid. Sandbank is greatly frequented during the summer by visitors, who stay for some time, and also by excursionists. I have seen as many 600 to 700 at one time. If there were keepers and watchers on the shore to stop these excursionists from going over the shore there would be sure to be some disturbance. I need scarcely say that if the village got a reputation for occasional riots the value the houses would be considerably diminished, as the lodgings there are generally taken for their quietness and retirement. The feeling of the inhabitants is quite against the bill. I think the ground at Sandbank is not adapted for oysters, the ground being too muddy and sandy. I never saw them there, except one or two attached to the rocks.

“Mr James Morton, Provost of Greenock: I know the neighbourhood of the Holy Loch well. There are large numbers of excursionists from Glasgow and Greenock who go there watering, fishing, and enjoying themselves on the shore. The people of Greenock are opposed to this bill as an interference with their rights. They petitioned against the bill, but I cannot say in what numbers. Many of the excursionists land at Kilmun, the opposite side from Sandbank. It is quite clear that if a certain part of the coast is reserved for oyster and mussel fishery that these excursionists will be considerably interfered with and deprived of privileges which they have been accustomed to.

“Mr Robert Hunter, merchant, Glasgow, examined: I have property in the village of Sandbank. The coast opposite my property was wanted for this oyster fishery, but it is now excluded. We have hitherto had a right to go all about the shore. There was a public meeting held of the feuars and villagers of Sandbank on the subject of this bill. About 200 were present, and, with the exception of Mr Hunter, the promoter of this measure, every one was opposed to it. I consider that the Holy Loch at Sandbank is not adapted for oyster fishing. I have never seen oysters there, and I know that a number of years ago oysters were laid down.

“Mr Bennett: I am a feuar on Hunter’s estate, within the limits of the proposed fishery. I have wasted upwards of £2000 on this feu, and did so on the expectation of the continuance of the advantages I at present have in possessing this feu. If I had known there was a chance of this scheme being carried out I certainly would not have laid out that money on the feu. My feelings are shared the other feuars without exception. Samuel Roger, feuar on Mr Hunter’s estate at Sandbank, was of opinion that the establishment of the fishery would deteriorate the value of property at Sandbank. There had been a great diminution on the letting of summer lodgings this year, not more than a fifth part of these lodgings have been let, whereas in previous years, at the same period of the season, not more than a fifth part would remain unlet. If there were to be watchers and keepers always about the shore it was not likely that ladies were going to bathe there. He never would have taken this feu if had known this bill was likely to interfere with the receipts of the place.

“Mr Rankine had been a fisher in the Holy Loch for 40 years. There was fair fishing in the Loch, and the mussels were used for bait. The shellfish were also used by some for food. If the people were prevented from taking bait and other shellfish they might well leave the spot, as they could not live there. Everybody in the place is against it. This witness was a practical fisher, well acquaint with the gallaghan, and gave a description of its habits and its merits. He produced one all alive, and described it as a course looking fish, but they widna tell it frae an oyster if it was boiled or stewed. A suggestion was made by the Chairman that a gallaghan fishery might be a successful novely. The specimen before the Committee was handed to Mr Frank Buckland, whose wide experience in all things living bad apparently not extended to gallaghans. The Committee adjourned at 4 p.m.”—Greenock Telegraph, June 4, 1869.

“Yesterday, the bill promoted by Mr Hunter for establishing an oyster and mussel fishery in the Holy Loch was again before a Select Committee of the House of Commons. After counsel had been heard on both sides, the Chairman stated that the Committee had unanimously resolved that the provisional order of the Board at Trade should stand part of the bill. Mr Davidson, for the objectors, urged the insertion of clause for the protection of any immemorial or prescriptive right which had hitherto been enjoyed by any individual, but the proposal was at once rejected by the Committee. It is therefore probable that ere long we shall have oyster culture attempted in the Holy Loch.”—Greenock Telegraph, June 5, 1869

The consequences were quick in arriving.

“Theft of mussels —Two fishermen, from Newton, Ayr, named Neil Dillon and Robt. Newell were apprehended last week by Inspector Fraser on a charge of theft of mussels from Holy Loch within the boundaries of the oyster and mussel beds belonging to James Hunter, Esq. of Hafton, the men were conveyed to Inveraray, and examined before Sir Geo. Home, Bart., Sheriff-Substitute, and admitted to bail.”—Greenock Telegraph, December 9, 1869

Ardnadam Pier Hotel (Valentine)

Ardnadam Pier and Hotel in 1913 (Valentine)

The Ardnadam Pier Hotel was built at the pierhead within a year or two of the pier opening. It was certainly opened by 1865. In 1872 it was renovated and enlarged.

Glasgow Herald, July 19, 1872

Scotsman March 24, 1877

The pier itself was never one of prominence but was served by the Holy Loch steamers, mainly those of Captain Robert Campbell that are detailed in a previous essay. The Campbell’s efforts to maintain a good service was much appreciated by the residents and summer visitors and helped exclude other vessels from entering the Holy Loch trade. One company that did make some inroads was the North British Railway, sailing first from Helensburgh and later from Craigendoran. The sheltered aspect of Ardnadam meant that it was a popular berth for the steamers over-night.

“Rescue from Drowning. —On Saturday afternoon, when the Vivid was leaving Ardenadam pier a mendicant attempted to land after the vessel had started. He fell into the water. Captain Campbell backed his steamer; and the pilot, Mr Alexander Campbell, leaped on the pier, and thence into the sea, taking with him a rope’s end, which after good deal of trouble he managed to secure to the man, and by which the latter was ultimately drawn to terra firma little the worse. The steamer’s back-water had swept the man some distance out past the pier. He was unable to swim.”—Greenock Advertiser, October 6, 1868

For a few years, the piermaster, Mr Clark, who leased the pier from Hunter of Hafton was also the hotel proprietor and took steps to improve business.

“Sandbank Pier Dues—A Boon.— Last Saturday, it was intimated to the passengers by the steamer Rosneath that on Saturday afternoons, the lessee, Mr Clark, would allow excursionists to use the pier both going and returning for the single fare of 1d. The announcement, it will be observed, is publicly made in our advertising columns to-day. The step taken by Mr Clark is likely to popularise Sandbank as a place of resort by Greenock excursionists and others, especially when it is borne in mind that the amenities the place are greatly superior to those villages on the opposite side of Holy Loch. No restriction is put upon pedestrians, who without let or hindrance may enter the woods and ascend the hills. The accommodation, too, for the weary traveller are of a very superior character, and will no doubt be largely taken advantage of.”—Greenock Telegraph, May 13, 1870.

The Campbells ran into financial difficulties and in 1885, sold their steamers to Captain Buchanan who took over the Holy Loch route. However, Captain Robert Campbell was not to be outdone and acquired Meg Merrilies to run on his old station. Despite higher fares, Captain Campbell regained the business after a period of intense competition. It was during this period that one of Captain Buchanan’s steamers was destroyed by fire at Ardnadam pier.

“A river steamer destroyed by fire.—(From Our Own Correspondent,) Last night the steamer Vesta, which is moored at Ardenadam Pier, Holy Loch, during the night, caught fire and was burned down to the water’s edge. The inhabitants of Sandbank, on observing the vessel to be fire, made all haste to alarm the crew, and Captain John Reid, who resides in an adjoining cottage, was soon on the spot, and with the mate in small boat, put the vessel adrift to prevent her setting fire to the pier.

“The second steward in his haste to escape the burning vessel jumped into the water, but was speedily rescued. A north-east wind was blowing pretty freely, and from the first it was clear that nothing could save the steamer. She was therefore allowed to drift ashore a little to the east of the pier, and attention directed to the fire on the pier itself, which was easily extinguished. The Vesta had only been placed on the station that afternoon in place of the Vivid, and is one of the fleet belonging to Captain William Buchanan. The fire is believed to have originated in the galley, this part of the vessel was burning for some tune before the flames spread.

“Another correspondent says:—The steamer Vesta, Captain M‘Pherson, was yesterday afternoon put the Greenock and Kilmun station, to relieve the steamer Vivid, which proceeded Glasgow. The Vesta was moored alongside Sandbank pier about six o’clock last night, and the crew went to bed about nine o’clock, but were aroused two hours afterwards by the cries of fire raised people on the pier, who had observed the decks of the steamer in flames from the village. The wind was blowing strong and soon fanned the flames till the whole deck was burning. No appliances could be got to work to extinguish the fire, and it was allowed to burn itself out, and it was nine o’clock this morning before the smouldering embers were extinguished. The engineer and fireman were asleep in the fore cabin, and in attempting to leave by the ordinary companionway, they were unable get up the stairs, owing to the smoke almost suffocating them. They then attempted to break through the wooden bulkhead leading the forecastle, but without a hammer they were unable to do so. The smoke lessened for a few minutes, and the engineer rolled his blanket round his bead and ran the companion stairs and burst open the door, ran along the deck through the flames and got safely on the pier. The opening the forecabin door allowed the smoke to escape, and when it did the fireman succeeded in reaching the pier. The decks and cabins are completely destroyed, the shell of the steamer, with the engines boilers, being all that will not require to be renewed. The cause of the fire is supposed have originated in the galley. The mails were this morning brought to Greenock the steamer Waverley.”—Glasgow Evening Post, March 3, 1886

“River steamer destroyed by fire.—Late on Tuesday night the river steamer Vesta, which had only taken the place of the Vivid on the Kilmun route the same afternoon, was discovered to be on fire at Ardenadam Pier, where she was lying overnight. At the time the fire broke out a north-easterly wind was blowing, and owing to the goographical lines of the Holy Loch this breeze is very shifty, sometime blowing up the loch and sometimes down. This had the tendency of doubly fanning the flames, and the fire was not long in taking a hold. It had made a good commencement in its destructive work before it was discovered. The people on both sides of the loch—at Kilmun and Sandbank—saw the steamer burning, and it may, naturally be supposed that the very unusual spectacle of a vessel enveloped in flames considerably excited the residents. Those who knew that the crew of six men regularly slept on board became apprehensive of their safety. The alarm was raised, and Captain Reid, who lives in a cottage at Ardenadam, was at once apprised of the occurrence. The flames, meanwhile, were spreading with alarming vigour; and it was only in the nick of time that the members of the crew were rescued from their perilous position. The second steward in his haste to escape from the vessel jumped into the loch, but was rescued. Three, men who occupied the fore cabin were for some time ignorant of their danger, and they were saved with some difficulty and not a moment too early. Captain Reid, to save the pier, cut the steamer adrift. She afterwards took the ground a little to the east of the pier, and there the flames spent their fury, all efforts to save the vessel being futile. The internal fittings of the steamer were entirely destroyed. The origin of the fire is unknown, but it is thought to have commenced in the galley. The loss has not yet been ascertained; but it is understood to be covered by insurance with a firm of underwriters.

“The Vesta, which has thus been burned to the water’s edge, is the oldest passenger steamer-on the Clyde, with the exception of the Balmoral, formerly known as the Lady Brisbane. The Vesta was built at Kelvinhaugh in 1853 by John Barr, shipbuilder. She is constructed of iron, is 162 feet 3 inches long, 16 feet 5 inches broad, 6 feet 8 inches deep, is 29 net and 43 gross tonnage, and has engines of 70 horse-power. She has run on several stations since being built, having from time to time been renovated. She is now owned by Capt. Buchanan, Glasgow.”—Glasgow Herald, March 4 1886

In 1889, the newly formed Caledonian Steam Packet Co., Ltd., purchased two of Captain Campbell’s steamers, Meg Merrilies and Mage Wildfire, and the goodwill of the Holy Loch trade. From that point, railway steamers from the Caledonian Steam Packet, the North British Railway and the Glasgow and South Western Railway provided the bulk of the connections to Ardnadam.

Caledonian Steam Packet Co. Marchioness of Lorne at Ardnadam Pier around 1905 (Stengel)

Glasgow and South Western steamer Minerva at Ardnadam

Service by both L.N.E.R. and L.M.S. steamers continued after the railway amalgamations in 1923. For many years, the L.M.S. steamer was the Caledonia, followed by the Marchioness of Lorne. The L.N.E.R. steamer was mainly Dandie Dinmont although other vessels were frequently substituted.

Caledonia approaching Ardnadam Pier in 1923

The new Marchioness of Lorne approaching Ardnadam Pier around 1935

Waverley approaching Ardnadam Pier in the 1920s

The pier was closed in 1940, during the second world war. However, it was re-opened in 1961 to serve the polaris submarine depot ships stationed in the Holy Loch until 1992. The Ardnadam Hotel was also taken over by the U.S. Navy.

U.S.S. Proteus approaching Holy Loch March 3 1961

The village of Sandbank in early days was clustered along the main street with few public buildings of note. The housing is a mix of villas and cottages skirting the southern edge of the Holy Loch. There is a right-of-way along the shore.

“Dunoon right-of-way case. This was a reclaiming-note for Mrs Catherine Russell or Inglis, and her husband, residing in Ardenadam, commonly called Sandbank, near Dunoon, and others, in an action at their instance against Dugald Rankine, feuar in Ardenadam, and others. The complainers sought to have the respondents interdicted from trespassing upon two pieces of ground near the sea-shore, along the Sandbank side, of the Holy Loch, the ground of action being that the land was the private property the complainers, and was held by them under valid titles. The action was resisted the respondents, who averred that the ground had always been used by them and their predecessors and others in the same way the other parts of the sea-shore along the Sandbank side of the Holy Loch, and that it had been used from time immemorial as a road for walking and for carting coals and other materials, without fault or challenge from anyone. The Lord Ordinary (Craighill), after proof, decided that the ground was part and parcel of the shore of the Holy Loch, and that the complainers had no right of property in it. His Lordship accordingly refused the interdict, and dismissed the action, finding the complainers liable in expenses to the respondents. The complainers reclaimed, and the Court to-day affirmed the Lord Ordinary’s decision, with additional expenses.”—Greenock Telegraph, June 16, 1877

In the 1870s, Alexander Robertson began to construct wooden boats in the village and the business expanded in the 1890s to become one of the premier yacht building yards in the country. An adjacent boatyard was owned by Messrs Morris & Lorimer, Ltd. They built many fine yachts to the design of G. L. Watson, William Fife and others through the first half of the twentieth century. Steam yachts and motor yachts were also constructed. In world war two, they built many fast wooden launches for the war effort. The business continued in the post-war years with some success but the yard was sold in 1965.

Robertson’s slip

Sandbank boatyard around 1950

Sandbank boatyard around 1950

The main street of Sandbank was dotted with shops and there were two hotels. The Argyll Hotel dates from 1820 and was destroyed in a fire in the 1980s. The Oakbank Hotel is still in operation.

Dunoon-Sandbank Bus at Argyll Hotel in 1906 (Valentine)

Oakfield Place was built around 1905 and across the road Benmore View built in 1902 with its large eves was at one time a reading room.

The tenement like Oakfield Place (Ritchie)

Sandbank Post Office and Reading Room and the Oakbank Hotel in 1920 (Valentine)

An office of the Argyllshire Standard and Dunoon Observer was set up as a printing business by Robert Inglis.

Argyllshire Standard and Dunoon Observer Offices

Sandbank Main Street (Ritchie)

Dunoon-Sandbank Road (Stengel)

Ferry House, Sandbank in 1920 (Valentine)

The head of Holy Loch is very sandy and at low tide provided a site that steamboats could be gently beached to allow cleaning below the water-line. The steamboats would float off with the incoming tide. The practice was frowned upon by the Board of Trade and ended in the 1890s.

Caledonian Duchess near the head of the Holy Loch around 1905 (Stengel)

The sheltered water of the Holy Loch was an excellent anchorage for ships and was used when ships were laid up during periods of slack trade. One vessel anchored off Sandbank was the White Star Liner, Albertic. Originally the München, launched at Bremen in 1920 and taken as war reparations by the Royal Mail Steam Packet Co., she was then renamed Ohio. She passed to the White Star Line as Albertic in 1927 but was laid up in 1930 in the Holy Loch, and was broken up in 1934 in Japan.

Boating on the Holy Loch with Albertic

Albertic in the Holy Loch

Albertic and War Memorial at Lazaretto Point in 1933 (Valentine)

Albertic and the Lazaretto-Kilmun Ferry

The final view of Albertic shows the war memorial at Lazaretto Point dating from around 1920, and the Holy Loch ferry to Kilmun. The ferryman for many years was Walter Waddell.

Lazaretto-Kilmun Ferry and Boatman

War Memorial at Lazaretto Point around 1920 (Ritchie)

Renée Forsyth, “Memories of Dunoon and Cowal,” Argyll Publications, Glendaruel, 1997.

A. Walker and F. Sinclair, “North Clyde Estuary,” Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, Edinburgh, 1992.