For further information contact Gillian Neil, Rnager Service, Council Offices, Garshake. Telephone 01389 752977.

For further information contact Gillian Neil, Rnager Service, Council Offices, Garshake.  Telephone 01389 752977. 

The walk will finish at the Deny Tank Museum about 15.00 where a guided tour of the building will be available.

Denny Tank Museum has a cafe.

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.

The building will be open in part -

The Oak Room 1700 wood carved panelled Room;

Original Library Room;

Panelled bedroom;

original kitchen;

Nursery.

All corridors and hallways will be accessible.

Design team led by Page & Park : 2005. This an earthy sweeping building of stone and timber most befitting the National Park.

Access is limited to the entrance area, but there is an EXIBITION of the work of the national park and the Community Partnership. Monday 5th to Friday 9th only.

Times available : https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/libraries/library-branches/dumbarton-library/

While the library naturally has a great book collection and has some interesting architectural features, it is for what else is available that it is included in this Doors Open Day event. These include:

• Local history materials, family history resources and archives covering the Dumbarton and Vale of Leven areas
• Local history resources including some publications for sale
• An exhibition on "From Living Memory to Memorial: Dumbarton’s WWI Stories".

The exhibition : FROM LIVING MEMORY TO MEMORIAL : DUMBARTON'S WWI STORIES" runs until November 2018. It brings together photographs and family stories outlining the hardships, emotions and resilience of local people during the four years of war. It also explains what life was like on the front line as many men from the area made the ultimate sacrifice in the "war to end all wars".

The Armed Forces Veterans Association can be found on Platform Two. This is a small but fascinating centre for the veterans of our armed services. You are invited to pop in to see what they do and perhaps exchange stories. Those manning it are keen to chat about the association and children may find the models of interest.

The group assists anyone, of any age, who has served in the Armed Forces at any point in their life and also helps families to overcome difficulties.

Volunteers – many of whom are veterans themselves – provide support across a wide range of areas. Projects include helping people find employment, offering practical and emotional support after marriage breakups, assisting in finding accommodation, relieving the negative impact of social isolation, and directing individuals to where to find help and advice on benefits.

But the centre also welcomes visitors and is keen to show what it does and to share information on the armed forces. There is a small display.

There is a small cafe on Platform One.

The station is a category A listed building, a great example of Scottish industrial heritage. The railway originally opened 1854, but was altered and widened to the south in about 1896. The present structures are mostly from 1896 although electrification had an impact on the canopies.

There are several gothick features such as castelated parapets and stone windows at the lower level. In its heyday, the lower level had various rooms for tickets, baggage, waiting areas etc and these were served by a pair of ornately tiled stairs (they are still there, but concealed).

The station is currently the focus of a study to improve it and the surrounds.

How to get there : Once in Bowling look for the point at which the cycle track crosses Dumbarton Road and follow it down over the railway. Depending on numbers, parking may be restricted to near the turnoff from Dumbarton Road. Otherwise go down to the left beyond the canal house. Walk back along the canal to the basin where most boats are moored.

This is the western most end of the Forth and Clyde Canal. Besides the boats and lockgates, there is the old rail bridge above and the arches below. This all comes under Scottish Canals, but your host today is the Bowling Harbour Project which you can find based in Arch 7 looking onto the Basin.

The arches now house a variety of commercial units. Those on the canal section have such things as cycle hire. Those overlooking the Basin have arts and crafts. The Bowling Harbour Project is a creative arts and heritage project and will be arranging stalls and activities. That includes a guided look at the basin and canal, its history and features that many visitors usually miss.

The canal locks are still operated, but at most times can be walked across. You can find the Bowling Harbour Project area either by walking down to the right immediately on arrival or by going right around the basin clockwise over the small bascule bridge. Above you will be the old railway bridge, the subject of plans for incorporation into the cycle route.

The basin is home to some some of the larger boats while the smaller ones and some canal barges moor in the higher water of the canal.

From this point you may see shipping passing on the Clyde. Nearby is the rather silted Bowling Harbour and beyond that the 16th Dunglas Castle with an obelisk raised as a memorial to Henry Bell.

All children need to be accompanied and care must be taken along the canal and basin edges. But with care this can be a most amazing place to visit and a fun day out for all the family.

The old tow path is now a cycle track that stretches eastwards all the way along the Forth and Clyde Canal. A link westwards up to the old railway route can eventually take you all the way to Loch Lomond. Consider cycling it, even for a short distance. The canal contributes to a great cycling environment, complete with mallard and swans for company.

This Victorian park has recently undergone a £3.8 million transformation, thanks to investment from West Dunbartonshire Council and funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Come along and learn about the rich history of the park’s newly restored heritage features including St Serf’s Church – with links to Robert the Bruce - Shiers Well, Kilmahew Fountain and the Cenotaph. The brand new pavilion is the home of the popular Pavillion Café, complete with outside seating, and an adjacent upgraded play area for children.

The park also boasts a training suite with multiple opportunities for learning, a formal garden with extensive spring and summer bedding displays, an Arboretum, open grassland, and recreation facilities which include a basketball court.

Levengrove is home to a number of events throughout the year including a popular summer Gala Day, the annual Scottish Pipe Band Championships in July and a fireworks display each November.

A great day out with something for everyone.

Designed by William Leiper, architect, 1865. Damaged by fire 11.12.1882, and restored. Further deterioration over the years leading to it lying empty. Eventually gutted internally and its eternal walls and tower stablised. After many more years the remaining structure was just recently restored and became the frontage to new modern offices for the council.

French Gothic in style, this former academy was also known as the Burgh Halls. It is now known as the West Dunbartonshire Council Offices - or simply 16 Church Street to differentiate it from other council property.

The new extension, now covering a greater area than the older frontage, is in a simple, yet complimentary style. The historical and modern are intermingled.

Note opening hours Monday to Friday are during normal working hours. This gives you access to the foyer only, but there are views into the atrium and to an exhibition by the current architects.

Part of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Services. Learn about the service, careers, fire safety at home and other aspects. You may pick up some very valuable safety information for your home. See fire engines up close and meet the firemen who man them. All of the family will find this fascinating.

Get to see around the fire appliances and all the equipment used by the modern fire service. See the Firefighters in action and carrying out their daily drills. Guided tours are available on request. (A prior call to the station would be appreciated).

Note, there may be appliance movement for turnouts!

Here are some tips to start with :

It is essential that your home has a working smoke alarm on each level of the property. If a fire starts, this will give you and your family time to get to safety.

Doors slow down the spread of potentially deadly smoke and flames, so it is important to remember to close them at night.

Fire often starts in the kitchen and no-one should ever leave a cooker unattended while it is in use. It is important to keep lit candles away from children and pets, and from curtains or other flammable materials.

Dumbarton Library and Heritage Centre. (Until the end of November). Also see Dumbarton Library under VENUES.

The exhibition, which also includes a programme of workshops and talks, brings together photographs and family stories outlining the hardships, emotions and resilience of local people during the four years of war.

It also explains what life was like on the front line as many men from the area made the ultimate sacrifice in the "war to end all wars".

THE FRONTIERS OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

Onboard the Maid of the Loch. Also see both The Maid of the Loch under VENUES and even more under NEWS.

27th August until Sunday 2nd.

An unusual venue, but that just goes to show the versatility of this old paddle steamer.

Did the Romans ever reach here and take in the magnificent view? Very likely, but the furthest that they were really able to stamp control over the local population was at Old Kilpatrick and that was the westernmost point of the Antonine Wall.

The Antonine Wall is very significant in Scottish history, but in turn forms part of a much wider history across Europe and North Africa.

The Frontiers of the Roman Empire is an historical zone that spans Europe and 1,900 years of history. Designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, it recognises the significance of how an era of profound civilisation shaped the Europe we know today. As a frontier aligning all in its path – places, people – it brought order and established a symbolic definition of the reach of civilisation, but as a contemporary zone crossing the continent and beyond, it now connects communities in a way unlike any other.

http://european-heritage.co.uk/event/the-frontiers-of-the-roman-empire/

THE NEW WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL OFFICES

At the council offices, 16 Church Street, Dumbarton. Also see West Dunbartonshire Council Offices under VENUES for further information.

The architects Keppie Design will putting on a digital exhibition of the works. This ranges from the stabilisation and restoration of what was the Burgh Halls / Academy Building in Church Street, Dumbarton, to its transformation into the frontage of new offices space. Whether you are simply popping in as far as the foyer or will be on the guided tours on the day, this will give insight to the challenges and solutions.

The old portion of the building is “A” listed and was designed by William Leiper, one of our most significant architects. It became derelict in the later 20th century, having been damaged, for a second time, by a fire in 1976. West Dunbartonshire Council proposed to demolish the building in 1994, but this was rejected. After many years standing forlorn it was opened recently proudly in its new role.