The "auld cley biggin" where Scotland's national poet was born in 1759. The traditional thatched but-and-ben was built by William Burnes, the poet's father, and restored by the Trustees of the Burns Monument. Museum with Burns manuscripts and artefacts.

]]> Built 1816 with churchyard to replace 1761 bulding on a different site, re-built 1910, became Roman Catholic place of worship 1921.

]]> Classic Georgian building with attractive belfry, funded by public subscriptions and opened 1817 to replace earlier building. Ground floor reopened by Beith Cultural and Heritage Society April 2011 as an Information and Heritage Centre.

Exhibition: Beith town from 1911 - 2017.

]]> On site of original parish church. A church was built c.1590 with later 18th century extensions. The 1590 church was demolished in 1810-11 when a new church was built up the hill. Part of the 18th century extensions and belfry were retained with the burial ground, which contains some original gravestones. Plaque marks links with Rev John Witherspoon, a signatory to the US Declaration of Independence and parish minister in 1745-57.

]]> Built 1807-10 to replace Auld Kirk, extended in 1885. 'Heritor' Gothic T-plan church with prominent tall five-stage tower. Interior woodwork of note by craftsmen employed in local furniture industry. Imposing organ, and stained glass by Gordon Webster. Chancel alterations now include some items from former Trinity Church.Major renovation of the church tower and changes in the interior have been completed since the 2018 Doors Open Day.

]]> Vale Grove and Vale View (Beechgrove) Gardens created by the Barrmill Conservation Group, the Barrmill & District Community Association and other volunteers, assisted by NAC Ranger Service.

 

]]> First mentioned in 1127, with an almost unbroken list of incumbents since 1361. Tower built 1490; Aisle built 1597 and Crawford Gallery 1642 with its unique woodwork and Armorials. C S S Johnston added northern extension 1903-05. Superb windows by Guthrie & Wells, James Ballantine, Gordon Webster and Arthur Spiers, and carved work make this one of the finest churches in Scotland.

Sunday service 11am.

]]> The Barony Colliery in Auchinleck was the last deep mine in Ayrshire.  After closure, all that remained was the 'A' Frame, a unique and imposing 180 ft structure which has now been restored as a permanent reminder of the area's mining heritage. 

]]> The Ayrshire Hospice has been providing specialist palliative and end of life care across the Ayrshire community for 30 years. Come and hear about the history of the hospice, learn about the services and care we currently provide free of charge to local patients and families, and hear about our vision for the future. Weather and patient privacy permitting, garden tours will also be included.

]]> One of the few privately owned Bridge venues in Scotland. Seven clubs use the venue during the week.?

]]> New Ayr Campus opened 2011 providing state-of-the-art facilities for the teaching of Education, Health, Creative Industries and Land-based Studies.

Building shared by UWS and SRUC with shared library and IT facilities in Riverside location.  

Highly rated green credentials.

]]> Remaining part of the original parish church of Ayr. The church, in its time the largest in Ayrshire, was cruciform in shape and the tower was perhaps added in the 14th century. In 1315 Robert the Bruce convened the Scottish Parliament in the church. Restored by J K Hunter for the 3rd Marquess of Bute in 1913-14. A landmark to seamen, it offers magnificent panoramic views.

Stout footwear required, supervised access.

]]> Lodge St James Newton on Ayr consecrated 1771 and moved here to former Newnham School for Girls in 1931.

See Souter Johnnie?s Masonic Apron and other artefacts including fine stained glass windows.

]]> Comfortable dwelling of James Tait, merchant who traded with Europe, first recorded in late 15th century. Purchased in 16th century as the town house of the Campbells of Loudoun, hereditary sheriffs of Ayr. Rescued from demolition by 4th Marquess of Bute and restored by architect Robert Hurd. Refurbished 1998.

Displays by local voluntary groups that regularly use the building. Tel: 01292 611 290.

]]> Built on the site of Ayr Prison, County Buildings is now the headquarters of South Ayrshire Council. See the attractive woodwork and impressive collections of paintings and stained glass. Guided tour on the hour to view committee rooms and art works.

]]> Original constructed 1879 for foundry owner William Smith Dixon, rebuilt by Mackenzie & Moncur, now vandalised. The charity Belleisle Conservatory Ltd was formed 2010 to raise funds to rebuild this much-loved building.

 

]]> Theophilus Rankine 1654. Successor church to mediaeval St John's (at Bruce Crescent). Cromwellian Government contributed 1,000 merks towards the cost of building the new church. Family church of Robert Burns, whose father was an elder. Fine interior with original pulpit, stained glass and three notable lofts.

Quiz sheet for children. Display of old bibles. Sunday Service 11am.

]]> Opened in 1888 with a challenge match between Ayr FC and Aston Villa, FA cup winners 1887.? Ayr won 3-0.? Ayr FC and Ayr Parkhouse amalgamated in 1910, the only occasion in Scottish football for two league clubs to combine.??

]]> Neo-classical landmark. High five-staged steeple with channelled columns and pedimented doorway, ornamented with Doric columns, urns and gryphons holding torches.

Designed in Classical style by Thomas Hamilton of Edinburgh in 1827, at a cost of £10,000, and refurbished in 2007. Elegant landmark steeple is 225 feet high. Lewis pipe organ, dating from 1904, is one of the finest of its kind and played every Monday at 12 noon until the end of November. The Town Hall and other rooms are used for events from concerts to civil marriages and partnership ceremonies. See the creepy police cells.

]]> Robert Wallace, 1818-22. Purpose built classical courthouse with majestic four-columned ionic portico. Refurbished to provide two large jury courts, two small non-jury courts and one civil court, witness and jury rooms and custody area. Interesting stained glass. Mini mock trial.

]]> The Gaiety Theatre, designed by local architect J McHardy Young, was built in 1902. This category B listed building closed in 2009, and after a huge campaign by the local community, reopened in December 2012 with Cinderella. The theatre is now run as a charity by the Ayr Gaiety Partnership with the support of over 100 volunteers. In 2016 the Gaiety underwent a £2.4 million refurbishment which highlights the Art Deco and Edwardian heritage, with the Rococo style Cherubs being of particular historic interest.

Pre-booked tours available from the Box Office tel 01292 288 235, or visit www.thegaiety.co.uk for more information. Accessible tours 12 noon until 1pm.

]]> Built in 1817 as the Theatre Royal, later Queens Rooms Theatre. Used as Baptist Church since 1880. Now a modern multi-purpose centre and Church with Baptistry and unique stained glass windows from Glennapp Castle. Refurbished 2004.

Exhibition: The History of the Baptist Church in Scotland

Sunday service 10.30am

]]> One of Ayr's most beautiful rooms, the Art Department of Ayr Academy. The stunning Art Department was designed by a local architect in the style of Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

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]]> Established 75 years ago when local authority secured land from Miss Campbell of Craigie House. ?The allotments have proved to be a popular local resource. ?

]]> Built c.1760 by Lord Auchinleck, and inherited by his son James Boswell, biographer of Dr Johnson. Johnson visited the house in 1773. It is a fine example of an 18th century country villa. Classical design strongly influenced by Adam. Fine pediment with elaborate detail and quote from Horace about the contentment to be found in country life. Saved by the Scottish Building Preservation Trust. Restoration completed by the Landmark Trust with splendid plaster-work and period furniture.

]]> A wonderful opportunity to visit a home where energy saving measures have been retro fitted, and discuss the pros and cons with the occupiers.?

]]> Built 1858, eleven years after Ardrossan became a burgh, and used as town hall until 1946 when the Council and local Masonic Lodge St John RA No. 320 agreed that the Lodge take over the building.?

Exterior stonework restored 1997/8 with assistance from national and local bodies. Original town clock.

]]> Category A church designed by Jack Coia and T Wharnett Kennedy, 1938, in red and yellow brick with red tiled roof and a simple, impressive interior.??New stained glass by Lighthouse Glass of Irvine.? Parish Centre added 1997; the?Presbytery rebuilt 2006.

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]]> David Thomson, 1875, in Early English style, recently restored. Notable stained glass by Clayton & Bell, L C Evetts, Crucifixion by J E W Guthrie, and Angel Gathering Tulips by Harrington Man; reredos paintings by William Hole. Saturday car boot sale till 14:00, with tea room and crafts. Sunday service 11:30.

]]> Campbell Douglas, 1857-58, additions 1877, 1890. Gothic-style.?Twenty stained glass windows give a mini history of the art from 1858 to the present including works by Clayton and Bell, McLundie, Mayer & Co, Webb, Whall, Hamilton, Crombie, Webster, and the 1996 Four Seasons and Robert Burns Memorial, and 2001 Alpha & Omega windows?from Susan Bradbury.

Cambusdoon Cross early Christian carved sandstone slab.

]]> Meet Robert Bryden, architect of Dunoon Burgh Hall, St John's Church and other local buildings. The People of Place is a new archive and marketing concept being developed by the research and design agency Tacit-Tacit. Local illustrator Walter Newton has created Robert Bryden as a life sized character to test the concept at street level.

]]> Formerly Macphersons Impreial Tea Room and Restaurant. The business closed a number of years ago and has remained vacant ever since. The interior is stunning with huge windows giving great views out to the Clyde.

]]> A church graveyard, ruined tower and mausoleum. The history of Scotland in a small country village. From royalty to traitors, from the first woman doctor to body snatchers and some of the best stained glass in Scotland. One of onluy two remaining water organs in Scotland.

]]> The present building probably stands on the site of a much earlier church which until 1688 was the Cathedral Church of both the Roman Catholic and Episcopalian Bishops of Argyll. Towards the end of the 18th century the building became dilapidated and was demolished, the stone being used to build Gillespie Graham?s Late Decorated Gothic Revival church of 1816. The belfry tower was added in 1839 and the church was lengthened and widened by Andrew Balfour in 1909. Chancel window 1939 by Douglas Hamilton. Gravestones of the 13th and 17th century in the kirkyard.

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As part of Doors Open Day the church will be open on Saturday 22nd September from 10am to 1pm.

]]> The present church is located in very beautiful surroundings between Dunoon and Kirn, near the seafront, with accommodation for 700 people. It is early Gothic in style and is appropiately built in local whinstone, which gives the building and the congregration "a sense of place and belonging" in which to worship. The ceremony of blessing and opening was performed on 3rd May 1931 and to this present day it is in daily use; the number of parishioners has now reached one-thousand.

As part of Doors Open Day the church will be open from 10 am to 4pm on Saturday the 22nd September.

]]> The original Queen's Hall Pavilion was constructed around 1905 by William Fraser Architect, who lived in Dunoon from 1898 to 1907.? The existing Queen's Hall was built in 1959, and although not as grand as its predecessor, the building's architecture had some positive characteristics that?were worth acknowledging and respecting.? Now the building has undergone significant refurbishment from January 2017 to July 2018.

The Queen's Hall occupies a significant position, stop ending the Argyll Street shopping area, facing the Castle Gardens and well connected to a number of important town landmarks or facilities: the Old Pier, The Castle Museum and the passenger ferry terminal.

Approaching Dunoon by the passenger ferry it is evident how significant the Queen's Hall sits within the town. The redeveloped Queen's Hall connects the entrance to Argyll Street while introducing a new library, Skills Development Scotland and Visit Scotland facilities, a cafe, fitness studios that cater for a range of fitness claases, a refurbished auditorium and new back of house facilities. There is also a soft play area available and an outdoor terraced area.?

]]> The first Dunoon Pier appeared in 1835. The pier was enlarged and a new waiting room constructed in 1867 to cater for the growth of paddle-steamer traffic and this was further improved with a larger 400 foot jetty in 1881. The pier was again rebuilt in 1895 resulting in the two-berth structure broadly as it exists today.


The pier entrance building is very striking with red-tiled roofs and strongly detailed timber in chocolate, cream and yellow.? Fleets of paddle steamers brought holidaymakers from Glasgow to Dunoon and many other piers right up to the late 1960s and the pier is still visited by the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world, P.S.Waverley.?

In July 2009, the Waverley had to be taken out of service after it struck Dunoon Pier in what was described by the Waverley website as ?landing heavily?. Both the steamer and the pier were damaged and several passengers suffered minor injuries.

By early 2010, the condition of the pier buildings had deteriorated badly and there was a general assumption that they would be demolished. Indeed, at a public meeting early in 2008 to discuss the options for Dunoon?s regeneration under the CHORD project,none of the options included retention of the pier, the proposals for Dunoon having included reclamation of land on the waterfront and the creation of an ?iconic building?, perhaps a hotel or conference centre.

However, in May 2010, local resident and Argyll and Bute councillor, Ron Simon, raised the proposal that Dunoon Pier had the potential to become a major attraction for the town, rather than an expensive liability. It soon became clear that the majority view in the local community was that the iconic pier should be restored to become such a major attraction for locals and visitors to the town.

As of the end of June 2011 the Gourock ? Dunoon vehicle and passenger ferry service no longer used the Victorian pier and it therefore had no specific transport function. However, a strategy document drafted in November 2011 reported that it had become clear from focus group and public consultation feedback that the historical significance of the pier and the potential benefits it could provide for Dunoon waterfont had generated a strong desire for it to be retained and restored.

Argyll and Bute Council thus became committed to the restoration of the pier and a series of detailed surveys were undertaken. Finally in June 2014, the council agreed to invest over ?2million to secure the pier substructure and refurbish the main waiting room and the harbour master?s building.? The Pier Waiting Room has now been refurbished.

]]> The Castle House Museum is set in stunning and well maintained gardens atop a hillside opposite the Gourock-Dunoon ferry terminal.? The Museum tells the story of Dunoon through the ages from the Stone Age all the way through to the American Naval Base in the early 90s.? It has an extensive collection of exhibits showing life as it was for the people of Dunoon through the ages.

]]> Historic Kilmun describes the visitor centre within St Munns church, the Argyll Mausoleum, the collegiate tower and surrounding ancient graveyard. From our earliest gravestone, dated at about 700 AD to the beautiful stained glass and water organ of the 19th century church this site represents Scotlands history. We have the grave of the first woman doctor in the UK, and her bible. We have almost all of the Dukes of Argyll, one of Scotlan?s most influential families, We mort safes to prevent grave robbing and some amazing gravestones. A bronze statue created by Princess Louise, the 4th daughter of Queen Victoria, and a golden boar?s head. The collegiate church tower where the Lamonts murdered the Campbells, shortly before the Campbells retaliated by surrounding Toward Castle and when the Lamonts surrendered, executing them.

The mausoleum although built in 1795 was renovated and rebuilt by the 9th Duke of Argyll and has an amazing cast iron domed roof created by the shipyards of the Clyde.

The whole site should be open apart from during the church service on Sunday morning.

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]]> This small stone fronted church building was designed in 1956 by Margaret Brodie who worked on the Glasgow Empire Exhibition. The building is a smaller version of the original design by renowned architect Leslie Graham Thomson MacDougall which was to fill the site and have a tall spire. Although plain the building has some interesting details such as the wooden front door which still contains a cross motif.

Organic Architects bought the building two years ago and have undertaken substantial internal alterations including the construction of a mezzanine drawing office with walls clad in plywood. A false ceiling was removed to reveal the full height of the volume.

The next phase of the building?s life is soon to be undertaken; planning permission has been granted to build four flats adjacent to the building, making a vibrant mixed use site in the town centre.

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]]> The Scottish Ecological Design (sponsored by the Glasgow Institute of Architects) held their annual Ecological Cycling and Walking tour this year which was set around Dunoon and the Cowal Peninsula.

Peninsula Expedition builds on last year?s very enjoyable Island Expedition held on Bute when cyclists and walkers spent their September Weekend visiting buildings and projects with an emphasis on all things sustainable.

]]> As part of Doors Open Day Cowal Open Studios offers? 43 venues which? will be open to the public featuring the work of eminent local artists and makers.? Many situated in beautiful and more remote parts of Cowal and others based in the town of Dunoon with easy access to amenities and transport routes, they make a fascinating and rewarding collection of visitor attractions with the opportunity to discuss visual art with live practitioners!

Each venue will host an exhibition of art/craftwork and will be manned by the artist/maker, who will be on hand to offer a ?tour? of the work? Tours can be found at this link http://www.cowalopenstudios.co.uk/map.php

]]> The building was the final one to be built in the new town in Inveraray and is an 'A' Listed Building. It is a beautiful church building inside. Completed in 1802 the building housed two churches under one roof, the south end for Gaelic speakers and the north end for those who only spoke English. The Gaelic church closed in 1957 and is the new church hall. The elegant spire was removed in 1941 as it was feared it would become unstable.

]]> Completed in 1802, the building housed two churches under the one roof, the south end for Gaelic speakers and the north end for those who only spoke English. The Gaelic church closed in 1957 and is now the church hall. The elegant spire was removed in 1941 as it was feared that it would become unstable.

]]> THE roots of Helensburgh's now closed St Columba Church sprang from a group of Dissenters who met fortnightly in the Baths Hotel for Sunday worship, often with a visiting minister. The hotel was owned by a prominent member of the group, Mrs Margaret Bell, widow of Henry Bell, first Provost of Helensburgh, after raising funds, The architects, Messrs. Brown and Carrick of Glasgow were employed to build the dissenters church with the foundation stone being laid on March 11 1845. The Church was purchased in recent years by a local entrepreneur and opened as a charitable arts centre for the benefit of all the community.?

]]> The Argyll Papers are the family and estate archive of the Campbell family, dukes of Argyll. One of the most important private archives in Britain, it is a rich resource for Scottish and British history from the 13th to the 21st centuries, and attracts researchers from all over the world. A small selection of the archives' treasures will be on display.

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The archive is housed in Cherry Park, an elegant 18th century Palladian style farm steading, designed for the 5th Duke of Argyll by John Adam and Robert Mylne, with some early 19th century alterations by Joseph Bonomi.

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Free guided tours of Cherry Park are scheduled for 12.00pm & 2.00pm on Saturday 23 September.

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A free workshop on reading old Scottish handwriting is offered at 3.00pm on Saturday 23 September.

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There are?8 spaces for each tour and 5 spaces for the workshop. Advance booking is essential ? please email: archives@inveraray-castle.com) or telephone: 01499 302698 to book.

]]> Dunoon Burgh Hall is grade B listed and dates from 1874. Following a ?1.9million refurbishment, the Burgh Hall re-opened in June 2017 as a community arts hub with museum standard gallery spaces, a new cafe extension, disabled access, workshop spaces, main hall/theatre with original stage and balcony.

]]> Helensburgh?s former Clyde Street School was transformed into a stateof-the-art facility on behalf of Argyll and Bute Council. The Clyde Street School building was designed in 1903 by Helensburgh architect and artist Alexander Nisbet Paterson, and was built in a Scottish Revival style with 17th century Renaissance details.

The challenge of the construction project was to seamlessly combine the old B-listed building with the new. Works completed in June 2015, incorporate alterations to the annexe building and janitor's house, a new extension (designed by council architects), construction of a new sea wall at the rear of the site, installation of new car parking facilities and landscaped grounds.

A range of new community spaces, both inside and out, are now available for use - including a marriage room, gallery space and conference facilities.

]]> The partially-renovated B-listed Dunans Castle, and Thomas Telford's A-listed Dunans Bridge, are the centre-pieces in a uniquely designed landscape which includes the UK's tallest tree and an extended Victorian path network. Dunans House has been inhabited since at least 1590, and the castle since 1864. The Castle was ruined by fire in 2001 and, since 2003, the present owners have been working to restore the castle, the bridge and the grounds through the Scottish Laird project.

]]> The Mackintosh Club, in Helensburgh is the newly discovered Charles Rennie Mackintosh hidden gem. The Gallery is open 11-3 and features a permanent exhibition on its history and the Glasgow Four. It is available for private hire and recently has hosted puppet and art workshops, the GSA Degree Show, Music concerts and tuition.?

]]> Strathleven House is a category A-listed Palladian mansion located on the outskirts of Dumbarton. Surrounded by scenic woodland, it is part of the Vale of Leven Industrial Estate. The building dates from 1700 and it is considered to be the first country house in Scotland built in the Palladian style.

]]> Brantwoode is a Category A listed building, which was built in 1895 by the architect William Leiper. It follows the Old English style popularised by the Arts & Crafts Movement and retains many of its original features, including Kauri pine panelling in the living room and, above an open fire, some Tynecastle Canvas wallpaper designed by William Morris. The main entrance is to the rear of the house allowing a flow of inter-connecting reception rooms facing south to catch the view and to allow privacy for the family. The house is furnished and decorated as close to the period as possible but also includes commissioned pieces in the true Arts and Crafts spirit.

]]> Helensburgh Parish Church is located in Colquhoun Square in the centre of Helensburgh.The present building was erected in 1853 at a cost of 4,500 to serve an increasing population. The architect was James Hay, Liverpool, to a design which won prizes at the Great Exhibition of 1851. The interior has been reordered several times, most notably after a disastrous fire in 1924 which left only the walls standing. The rebuilding provided a church with an Arts & Crafts feel, and this, with some later alterations, is what we have today a comfortable building, well suited to the worship of God and the contemplation of his beauty, as well as providing an adaptable performance venue.Of the stained glass windows there is one dedicated to Andrew Bonar Law and his Wife Annie, and another to John Logie Baird, all are well worth viewing.

]]> A medieval church existed in Cardross since 1226 and in 1329 the body of Robert the Bruce was brought there, before its burial in Dunfermline Abbey. A new church was built in 1644 and replaced in 1827 by the church which destroyed by a bomb in May 1941. After the war the present building opened in 1872 as a Free Church was adapted and became Cardross Parish Church.?

]]> Clarendon, or Torwood Villa as it was originally named, was built in the mid 19th century. The two extensions you can see on either side of the original building were designed by William Leiper, the famous Scottish architect, in 1888 and 1891.During the 20th century, Clarendon became the home of the Rickey family and later the Singer family, until, in 1937, the building was bought by the Girls School Company and was used as part of St. Bride's school in a variety of ways, ranging from a boarding house to classroom accommodation.

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During the Second World War, it was commandeered by the Royal Navy and Wrens were based here for 5 years. From 1959, it operated as the Prep department and in 1977, when St. Bride's joined with Larchfield School to form Lomond School, Clarendon continued as the Junior Department, which it still is today.

]]> Ardenvohr is a large and well-detailed example of a grand mid 19th century baronial villa. It was built by local architect Thomas Gildard for Daniel Walkinshaw in 1857. It later became the estate of the Muir family. It was acquired by the Royal Northern Yacht Club as its clubhouse in 1937 and remains the headquarters of the Royal Northern and Clyde Yacht Club formed by the merger of the Royal Northern and Royal Clyde Yacht Clubs in 1978.

Much of the internal architectural details remain and many historic club artefacts are displayed in the grand rooms. Externally the grounds and club jetty provide wonderful views of the Gareloch

]]> The ROC underground monitoring post at Stravanan Bay on Bute formed part of a chain of some 865 monitoring posts throughout the United Kingdom from which information on the effects of a nuclear attack on the United Kingdom would have been reported until 1991 when the Corps was stood-down.

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]]> Open Doors Day provides a rare opportunity to see the unique medieval chapel in Cardross. In a peaceful rural setting, on a hillside overlooking the Clyde, it is still in regular use at the heart of its parish community.

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Parishioners will welcome all visitors to this beautiful chapel. It was built in 1467, and restored in 1955, on a site which has been a place of Christian worship since the 6th century. The site (and later the whole surrounding area) was named Kilmahew, identifying it as a Cill, or church, of St. Mahew, an early Celtic missionary and probably a follower of St. Patrick. The church and its surroundings have important religious significance: many visitors, including non-Christians, have commented on the deeply spiritual atmosphere.

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There are many notable historical and archaeological features. Visitors can see a remnant of a pre-Christian standing stone, as well as a stone kerb, carved with a Celtic design, from the 9th or 10th century. Recessed in the east wall of the building is one of the best preserved medieval Sacrament Houses still in existence. The original chancel arch divides the nave from the sanctuary and the 15th century Baptismal font has been restored to use.?

]]> The Hill? House on Upper Colquhoun Street, Helensburgh was designed 1902 ? 1904, by Scotland?s world famous architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh as a family home for Glasgow book publisher, Walter Blackie.??

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]]> The present building was completed in 1796, and extensively altered in 1906. The sanctuary with pitch pine dado, now runs east to west, with painted Corinthian columns supporting a U-plan timber panelled gallery. At the west end there is a stair to a raised half-octagonal oak pulpit, flanked by polygonal organ casings and stained glass windows. A two-tiered copper chandelier (circa 1800), believed to be of Dutch origin, is centered beneath a ceiling rose.

The church is situated within a graveyard which also contains St Mary's Church, the early 18th century Bute Mausoleum and several graves of interest, including a relative of Napoleon Bonaparte.

A new Church Centre connected to the north side of the existing building was completed in 2009.

]]> ?Arguably Scotland's most significant modernist building, St Peter's was designed by Andy MacMillan and Isi Metzstein of Gillespie, Kidd and Coia and was built in 1966 as a college to train young priests. It went on to win the RIBA Gold Medal for Architecture, but was only in use for 14 years. After decades of abandonment, the derelict building is now registered as one of the World Monuments Fund's most endangered cultural landmarks.

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]]> There has been a church on the same site for over 365 years, the parish initially extending from Garelochhead to Cardross. The current building is the third and was completed in 1851. The second was the one in which Rev John McLeod Campbell preached his doctrine known now as The Row Heresy.

The Parish of Shandon became re-united with Rhu in 1971a split in 1844 saw Shandon forming its own Free Church congregation. There are a number of graves of interesting people spread out around the church yard most notably those of Sir James Guthrie and Henry Bell; and there is also a memorial to those who served on the Clyde Training Ship Cumberland which was destroyed by fire in 1889.In 2017 the Minister is Rev David T Young and he is supported by Rev Tina Kemp. Services are held every Sunday and the congregation is linked with Helensburgh Parish Church and at times, services are shared in one or other church.

]]> Generally regarded as one of the finest Masonic premises anywhere in Scotland, "292" as it is popularly known opened in late 1909, although the roots of Freemasonry in Rothesay can be dated back to 1792.

The major feature of the current building is the outstanding decoration, notably the murals on the North, South and West walls. The North and South walls depict various scenes from the Bible, while the West wall is entirely given over to a magnificent mural depicting the history of architecture from earliest man to the Egyptian, Greek and Roman eras.

The murals were completed in 1940 as part of a major refurbishment programme, and a further mural added to the south wall in 2000 to mark the Millennium. Two murals on the north wall had to be completely replaced in the early 1990s due to building issues, and the new murals are exact replicas of the originals, created by a Lodge member.

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]]> Visit Wind Towers for a fascinating insight into one of Scotland’s newest industries. This world class manufacturing site at Machrihanish provides “ready to install” tower solutions for the onshore and offshore wind energy market. It also provides services for the repair and modification of turbine tower sections, and fabricates mono-pile sections and other large steel components for the renewable energy sector. It employs around 135 people from the local area.

]]> Long Croft?is a catagory A, National Monuments house, built in 1901-1902 by a husband and wife couple, Alexander Paterson and Maggie Hamilton.?

Husband and wife were part of the Glasgow boys and Glasgow girls group of painters, needle women, architects and artisans.?

To the left of the drawing room fireplace there are books with lots of information on the house and the Paterson family, including some wonderful photographs taken by James Paterson, the architect's brother and another painter.? They were part of a large group who grew up on the West of Scotland and? spent a great deal of time together.? The house was often full of artists, working together.?

The house book, which is in the Hunterian museum in Glasgow, documents James Whistler, George Walton, EA? Walton, James Guthrie and many others staying and dining in the house.? All the tapestries and panels were done by Maggie Hamilton except for the one next to the piano which is a Spanish alter cloth that she was very fond of.?

There was a very ornate piece that hung in the dining room which Hamilton donated to the Glasgow Museum of Art before her death, it may have been destroyed in the Glasgow School of Art two years ago. If you are interested in this era of painting the Anderson trust is stored down at the Helensburgh library and contains a great many paintings done in the house or garden.

In the hall is a water colour done by Paterson and a wood block and charcoal done by Viola, their daughter. The poem in the hall was written for Viola by a friend as she lived in the house until she died.?

In the drawing room the watercolour is by Jesse Newberry, Frau Newberry's wife. The charcoal murals on the stairs were cartoons done for Fife town hall by William Drummond Bone. Over the years people have donated some paintings and furniture back to the house. In the library friends and family who have visited us in different countries (Kenya, Norway) sent presents in the form of art!

]]> St. Michael and All Angels' Church was designed by Sir Rowan Anderson, a pupil of Sir Gilbert Scott, and dedicated in 1868, its dedication recalling the ruined medieval chapel at Faslane also dedicated to St. Michael.??? It replaced an earlier episcopalian church on the same site.

Red sandstone from Comcockle in Dumfriesshire was used for the exterior with limestone from Caen in Normandy for internal construction.?? The church contains many interesting features including one of the finest collections of Victorian stained glass in the west of Scotland.?? It is the only public building in Helensburgh to be listed grade A.

]]> In 1815 General Keith Macalister began the construction of Torrisdale Castle. He employed the services of James Gillespie Graham, one of Scotland?s most famous architects.

In 1872 the castle was rented by local businessman Peter Hall, brother of James Macalister Hall of Killean and Tangy who gifted the Burnett Building to Campbeltown. Both brothers were business associates of Sir William Mackinnon of Balinakill, and helped found the British India Steam Navigation Company, which was eventually subsumed into the larger P&O.

William Macalister Hall, Peter?s son, purchased the estate and extended the castle in 1903 and 1908 respectively, utilising the services of architect Henry Clifford. The estate remains in the ownership of the Macalister Hall family.

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The Retreat is an early Victorian domestic dwelling built around 1860, located on the Rosneath Peninsula within the Victorian burgh of Cove and Kilcreggan.

 

The garden is designed around a dramatic gully with a serpentine path which follows Aidens burn for some 930 feet as it runs out into the Firth of Clyde. The garden is in contrast with the house itself which though small in scale offers pleasing architectural features whilst carrying a unique social history. As the restoration continues the next stage will be the conversion of an outbuilding into an artist’s studio and gallery.

]]> Recently upgraded to an A listing.  The Picture House is the oldest, purpose-built, continuously operating cinema in Scotland.  Designed by prolific cinema architect A V Gardner in fantasy style with red elliptical roofs and a cheeky red crown containing the projection room, it opened in May 1913.

]]> Built by local builder, Robert Weir and Son, commissioned by 33 founding members in the town and opened on 23rd March 1887 as a businessmen?s social club and reading room.? Built in red sandstone with many subtle architectural details, especially the 2-storey 5-light semi-octagonal corner tower.? Today operates on a private membership basis by invitation to local business people.

]]> The Cherry Park farm offices at Inveraray Castle were designed by John Adam for the 3rd Duke of Argyll. When the 5th Duke succeeded in 1771, the offices remained incomplete and the Duke invited William Mylne to submit plans for its completion. Mylne created a court of offices with a hint of an Italian Palladian villa. Set around a cobbled square, the corner pavilions were connected along the north and south sides by heavy stone arches (since filled in), and in front by a range of rooms with a centrally pedimented carriage entrance. The pavilions have high Venetian windows on the external sides, each with a six-paned window above and sloping roofs rising to a central chimney. Plans to enlarge the offices were drawn up by Joseph Bonomi in 1807 but were largely unimplemented. The poultry house on the north side of the square, was converted to house the Argyll Papers, the archives of the Campbell family, dukes of Argyll, in 2007. The flower room in the North West tower was converted for a research room in 2017.

]]> St Kiaran?s Scottish Episcopal Church was built in 1891 and is a category C listed building. It replaced a previous building of the same name, but which had fallen into disrepair. The original plans for the new church were drawn up by the architect of the adjacent Rectory ? Henry Edward Clifford, but later modified to a less elaborate design by Mr Ronald Walker, an architect from Stirling.

]]> Springbank was established in 1828 and is the oldest independently owned distillery in Scotland - currently in the hands of the great, great grandson of the original owner. It is unique among Scotland?s distilleries as it is the only one to undertake 100% of the distilling process on the one site, with human involvement at every stage of the process.

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]]> From the 13th century or earlier, Tarbert Castle guarded the anchorage in the bay below, and controlled the land link between East and West Lochs. It has been a Royal Castle since at least 1292, when it was granted to John Balliol by Edward I of England. In 1325 Robert the Bruce enlarged and fortified the Castle to protect it from attack by the Lords of the Isles, and in the 16th century a towerhouse was added, which today, is the most prominent part of the surviving structure.

The impressive ruin has recently been conserved by the local community and the grounds are grazed by a flock of Hebridean sheep. A new interpretation trail guides visitors around the site.

]]> Commissioned by Rothesay Harbour Trust in 1899 during Rothesay's hey-day, the gents? lavatory was always intended to impress.

The magnificent interior has walls entirely clad in decorative ceramic tiles, ornately patterned in rows. The floors are designed with ceramic mosaic, and with the crest of the Royal Burgh of Rothesay.

]]> Recently named as one of Scotland?s ten favourite buildings of the last century, Rothesay Pavilion has been?the cultural centre of the island community of Bute off the West Coast of Scotland.? Built in 1938 by architect J.A. Carrick, this Grade A listed building is a fabulous example of 1930s International Modernism akin to the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill, which opened just three years before. The Pavillion has served Bute?s residents and visitors as everything from grand ballroom and concert hall to wedding venue, civic centre, family entertainment venue and sports hall. Over the years it has hosted tea dances and big band concerts, community pantomimes, rock concerts, conferences, arts festivals, football and boxing tournaments,?horticultural shows, birthday parties, political conferences and conventions.?

After eight decades of continuous and sustained use on its seafront location,?this iconic edifice is showing its age,?and in 2000 Rothesay Pavilion was placed on the 'buildings at risk' register requiring complete restoration and refurbishment to ensure its future. In 2013 a rescue plan was launched by owners Argyll and Bute Council and a new ?Rothesay Pavilion? charity formed to assist with the restoration project and take over the management and programming of the building on completion. ? The Pavilion finally closed its doors to the public in September 2015 to allow for a complicated and phased refurbishment project to commence which is due for completion in 2019.

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Tours will take place at 10am and 1pm. Booking is essential, to book please contact

?ann@rothesaypavilion.co.uk?

]]> Severn class lifeboat carries out rescues to both leisure and commercial vessels.]]>