Memories of Innellan

Joppa, 1974-75

I was stationed about the USS Canopus, and lived with my wife and son... and then daughter... on the second floor of the wonderful old house known as Joppa. I have a ton of photos, as well as a ton of memories. Another Canopus family lived on the first floor - Bruce and Sue Hill and their son - and every morning Bruce and I would drive to Holy Loch in his Mini, and often stop at the Royal Bar before travelling the last couple of blocks home. It was a glorious time, and I never quite understood some of the sailors and their spouses who didn't enter into the adventure of life in Scotland.

My wife and I travelled back about seven years ago and stayed in a B&B in Innellan. We walked along the shore and visited the shops in Dunoon, and even met one of the ladies who owned the Dhalling House where we stayed before we found Joppa.

I miss the ferry rides, fish and chips, the wonderful bleak and romantic scenery, and even the weather.

My House on the Hill!

We lived in Innellan for about 3 years and I have very fond memories of being there. My husband was in the Navy stationed aboard the U.S.S. Hunley in Dunoon at the time and we found this lovely 2 storey house right on the River Clyde in Innellan to rent. We lived in the bottom half - I believe it was called "Briar Brae House" and I loved it there. I would put the 2 boys in the pram and away we would go to the butcher's etc. to pick up the day's groceries and supplies that we needed. I had lots of pictures and slides of being there -however they were all lost in moving so all I have are my memories now. I would love to be in touch with someone from around that area and maybe get some pictures of my old house on the hill!     Judy

The good times

I used to go to Innellan when I was young to stay with my grandparents and what great memories I have, I used to get the bus from the pier and get off at West Church Lane where they lived. On Sundays we walked up to the church and my Grandfather sang in the choir. I also liked to walk up to the village and sometimes go to the icecream shop call the LIDO I can still see the big round steps up to shop. I can also remember the village post office. I have such beautiful memories . I left Innellan in August 1948 and went to Australia with my parents. I went back to Innellan in 1976 and it was still the same and it felt great

Lived here in 1963-64

My dad was stationed here in the early 60's with the US Navy.  Although I was only 5 years old at the time the memories are still so vivid in my mind. So many thoughts and pictures are racing thru my mind as I write this that it is hard to put it all into words. I can see the big stone house (JOPPA) that we lived in, I smell the multitude of geraniums that thrived in the hot house connected to the main house, I feel the sun and fresh cool air that my brother and I thrived in as we would walk to school or to town and talk with all the shop keepers or play on the rocks at the river Clyde.  I see old Mr Burns tending the roses that lined the walkway from the street to our front door.  I remember the night that there was a terrible storm and I woke up sleepy-eyed and confused to see strangers in our living room as my father and a friend had helped to rescue them from a boat that had been wrecked during the storm.  And how can I begin to describe the fun my whole family had when we would go visit our neighbors Mr and Mrs Welch.
Often times I pull out the pictures my parents took while we lived there and my school papers my mother had the foresight to keep and I stroll down memory lane and it only fuels my constant desire to return for a visit. It was always my wish to take my parents back for a visit but they are both gone now, so who knows, maybe they are once again strolling hand in hand in the wonderful little town of Innellan that they both loved and brought them such happy times and wonderful memories.