Helensburgh is a charming Victorian coastal town on the north side of the Firth of Forth and the east side of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. It is an elegant town with many fine houses and fair gardens set with mountains on the horizon, and a sunken sugar boat in the Firth of Fort, the gateway to the secret Argyll west coast. There is an award-winning bistro called the Sugar Boat with the same name. Helensburgh was built in 1752 by James Colquhoun, it sits on the river Clyde, and named the town “my Lady Helen’s burgh” after his wife Lady Helen Sutherland. It has great food eateries to rival any in the West End of Glasgow. It is 40 minutes from Glasgow by train, and we will begin the guided walking history tour at Helensburgh Lower train station see Scotrail.

We will see highlights on the walking tour, of the various architectural designs by Charles Rennie Mackintosh former Conservative club, theatre converted to civic use by John Honeyman and Helensburgh Parish Church, a fine Victorian Gothic building by J. M. Hay. The walking is on level tree-lined streets with pink cherry blossoms in the spring. Local walk guide Gerena explores dark secrets, opulent churches, historical landmarks, and a 1.5km promenade on the waterfront that stretches to Cairndhu Point, relaxing for an evening stroll to see the lights of Greenock and Inverclyde area. We will cover only a small part of the waterfront on the guided walking tour. On a clear day we can see towards Roseneath peninsula and right up Gareloch to Loch Long to the fabulous Arrochar Alps.

Reveal tales of Sir James Colquhoun a Black watch officer, and Lady Helen Colquhoun who had eight children. John Logie Baird with his famous invention, and Henry Bell with his maritime achievements, stand on the beginning of the John Muir Way, a 134 mile long distance trail from Helensburgh to Dunbar, and all who contributed to the heritage and affluence of Helensburgh.

Walking Highlights in Helensburgh