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Helensburgh Coat of Arms

Helensburgh’s Coat of Arms combines elements of both Clan Colquhoun and the Dukes of Sutherland’s arms. This references the foundation of Helensburgh in 1776 by Sir James Colquhoun, 1st Baronet of Luss, who, a few years after advertising the feus, named it after his wife Lady Helen Sutherland. The central shield has the saltire of […]

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Hermitage Park

Hermitage Park is a public park in Helensburgh, featuring an A-listed war memorial. The earliest information about the land that now forms Hermitage Park is reference in a charter of 1351. Milligs Mill is shown in the Blaeu Atlas of Scotland of 1654. Hermitage House was built by Robert Fulton Alexander, a Glasgow merchant, in

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Henry Bell

Henry Bell 1767-1830, Innovator and Businessman Henry Bell first came to Helensburgh in 1806 and was to spend the rest of his life here. He was a pioneer of place marketing and “the first person to place a practical steamship on British waters”. A “little Clyde experiment” that was “to pioneer the way to an astonishing

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John Logie Baird

John Logie Baird is widely credited as being the first person in the world to demonstrate a working television. Born and educated in Helensburgh (Larchfield School), Baird enrolled at the Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College to study engineering. This course combined both formal tuition and placements as an apprentice in various firms and

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The Battle of Glen Fruin

The Glen of Sorrows On 7 February 1603 Clan Colquhoun, led by their chief Alexander Colquhoun of Luss, went into battle against Clan Gregor led by their chief Allaster MacGregor of Glenstra. The MacGregors were supported by members of Clan Cameron and the Colquhouns had royal assent from King James VI to pursue the MacGregors.

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Golf in Helensburgh & Lomond

Many people consider that Scotland is the home of golf, with over 500 courses across the country. There are currently 4 courses in Helensburgh and Lomond, 3 of which are open to the public. Helensburgh Golf Club dates back to 1893 when a 9 hole course was established, growing to 18 holes in 1905. The

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Clan MacAulay

500 years of Clan MacAulay and the Gare Loch 13th-14thC It is believed that the MacAulay are descendants of a younger son of Alwyn Second of Lennox and they also claim descent from Kenneth McAlpin. Malcolm Earl of Lennox granted Aulay of Fosselane (Faslane) the lands of Airddengappil (Ardencaple) and other lands on the Gare

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Highland Games

In 2024 Helensburgh and Lomond will host two Highland Gatherings during the summer months. Helensburgh & Lomond Highland Games are held at the Rugby Grounds at Rhu Road Higher in Helensburgh, usually in early June. Events include: Running, Heavy Weights, Solo Piping, Wrestling and Highland Dance. https://www.hlhighlandgames.scot/ 2024 Helensburgh Highland Games 1 June 2024 Luss Highland Games are usually held in

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Andrew Bonar Law

Andrew Bonar Law MP 1858-1923, Prime Minister Born in 1858 in New Brunswick, Canada, Andrew was the youngest son of Eliza Ann Kidston whose father, William, had emigrated to Halifax, Nova Scotia, from Glasgow in 1810. On the death of his mother in 1860, her sister Janet Kidston moved to New Brunswick to keep house

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