Dunoon
Dunoon maps (1 available)
Map of Argyll
Beautifully hand-drawn and coloured, dating from around 1840
Dunoon books (2 available)
- 3 photos on Dunoon appear in 2 Frith books - View photos of Dunoon
- Read extracts and see photos from these books on Dunoon and Argyll
Dunoon memories
Read and share memories of Dunoon and Argyll inspired by Frith photos
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You can also read memories of nearby places in Argyll below.
Argyll memories
Formative years in Kirn
My lifetime in Kirn ran from birth in 1948 until I left the area in 1968 to become a policeman in Newcastle upon Tyne. My family lived in Argyll Terrace (No. 8). I worked with George Fraser the grocer for at least seven years and spent summers with Reg Brooks and Hugh McLachlan at Kirn Lido, pushing boats out for 5 pounds a week and loving every minute. I used to catch the ropes at the pier for 2/6 a time and delivered papers for Mrs. Keir. Attended Kirn Primary and Dunoon Grammar and spent two years in the Dunoon Branch of the Bank of Scotland before leaving for Newcastle. Spent 30 years in the the Police in Newcastle and retired ...read more here
A memory of Kirn contributed by Campbell Findlay
Cloch lighthouse
My father Peter Gordon, was born in the Cloch lighthouse as his father was principle lighthouse keeper at the time. He used to tell me he jumped out of his bedroom window and go for swim. I was born in London and only once managed to get up to Scotland to see the lighthouse. Unfortunately my father died in 1969 when I was still young so did not get much detailed information about his early life. Wish I had known more. I believe the lighthouse is privately owned now. How I wish I could see inside it.
A memory of Gourock contributed by Helena Pigott
Granny Kempocks Stone
I moved from Port Glasgow when I was 5 to live with my gran. She had a small two room flat on Kempock Street just below Granny Kempock's Stone. I seem to recall that you went through an opening/archway which took you through into a large open space which I think used to be old stables and it was from here there were stairs that took you up to the flat. I also remember the Continental Cafe was just across the road from the flat. There was a small alleyway that took you up the step hill to Granny Kempock's, and we used to go this way when we were going to school. I lived here for a year or so ...read more here
A memory of Gourock contributed by Carol Cassin(McManus)
Childhood Memories
My mother Irene Kennedy was born in Gourock 1921 - I spent many happy times with my grandparents who lived in Ashburn Gardens - my father was overseas at the time - visting the baker shop, the coal merchant near the station as a child to see the coal in trays - and sticks in bundles - playing on the sea front - standing at the window waiting to see my grandfather walking home from work. My best friend was Jessie Richie - her dad used run the ferry - Rab Ritchie and brother Robert Arthur - also lived at Ashburn Gardens.
My Grandmother used serve teas at the docks for the troops at Greenock during the war. Sadly my mother ...read more here
A memory of Gourock contributed by carol kennedy
Extracts From Dunoon & Argyll books
Visitors clamber over the site of the old castle. Little of its fabric survives, and it is thought to have been one of the very earliest of Scotland’s stone castles, dating from the 12th century. Its hereditary keepers were the Earls of Argyll. The modern castle is comparatively new, being completed in 1822. The statue is of Burns’s Highland Mary, who was born at Auchnamore Farm nearby. The statue was erected in 1896.
An extract from from"Scotland".
This was once the seat of the Fitzalans, hereditary High Stewards of Scotland. Walter Fitzalan married Bruce’s daughter Marjory, and it was their son who was crowned Robert II, thus starting the Stewart dynasty. Upon Robert’s accession the Campbells were appointed hereditary keepers of Dunoon. The knight’s fee is ‘one red rose when asked for’. All that survives of this fortress is the rock upon which it stood and a few traces of masonry.
An extract from from"Scottish Castles".
This was one of three hotels recommended to overseas visitors; the others were the Queen’s and McColl’s. It was also possible to hire apartments in Dunoon at about 15s a week during the main season.
An extract from from"Scotland Photographic Memories".
Since the 1850s, Dunoon has always been a favourite resort for Glaswegians. The ‘doon the watter’ trips from the Broomielaw in Glasgow became an institution from then until the Second World War. The group of people on the left appear to be on a well-organised outing and are enjoying a picnic. The small huts are where vistors hired boats for by-the-hour rowing trips around the bay.
An extract from from"Scotland".
Until the early 19th century, Dunoon was little more than a modest village clustered around its castle. The popularity of the Clyde excursion steamers changed all that: Dunoon developed into a holiday resort, the largest and best known on the Cowal. Here, one steamer has just departed and two others are alongside. The one on the right appears to belong to the North British Railway. Dunoon handled 10,000 visits by steamers every year.
An extract from from"Scotland".