Helensburgh
Local landowner Sir James Colquhoun was so inspired by the New Town of Edinburgh that he decided that his own plan for a new town - named after his wife Helen - should go upmarket. By 1802 a grid plan with spacious streets had begun to expand on the slopes above the shore. In 1812, resident businessman and engineer Henry Bell launched the Comet. This became the very first steam powered vessel on a public service in Europe, connecting Glasgow, Greenock and Helensburgh. (Bell also had a hotel in Helensburgh. Coincidence? We think not.)
With the later arrival of the railway, Helensburgh's future as a part-resort, part commuting town was assured. Spacious mansions and villas, built by well-to-do business folk from the city, soon appeared. Today Helensburgh is sometimes described as a 'museum of villas' – but that’s hardly a fair description of a go-ahead well-resourced place with interesting shopping and a good range of accommodation.
Local Activities
