Nostalgic memories of Greenock's local history

Share your own memories of Greenock and read what others have said

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.

Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.

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Displaying Memories 1 - 10 of 24 in total

I found all these photos fascinating, I have been researching many aspects of Greenock since I began working on the family's history i was hoping to see photos of some of the streets I have come to know quite well, like William St where the family spent years first on the east side then at number 15 on the west side, apparently there was also a shop at number 3 . there these was number 5 Orangefield ...see more
I have this photo hanging on my wall as my Mum Isobel McNaughtan nee Hair taught here for 6yrs till having to leave when she and Dad were married on 6/9/1939. Such a shame I can no longer see this lovely building.
When I was a Young Man, in th Fifties. I used to fish of this Pier. But I have a Terrible Memory, of the Wimen and Kids crying, as the ships orTenders took Men off to the USA and Canada, I didn't know it at the time, But I was all to soon to join them. It still hurts. I only hope that the Wimen and Kids, did get to at least Join, their Menfolk. I think about the Clyde everyday.
For near on 20 years I have been trying to trace my family history. I seem to hit so many brick walls that my family are starting to become an enigma to me. My father's grandfather was Edward Thomas Howell, who was the brother of Willoughby John Howell. Willougby became the Reverend of St Bartholomews Episcopal Church in the 1920s. I would really appreciate any information on ...see more
My Granddad was born somewhere about this time and is now part of Whinhill as that is where his ashes were scattered at his request. This looks like the old mill and if it is, there is a railway bridge just in front of the tenement buildings where one of his sisters lived. I can remember her waving from the window as we went went for the 'Men's Sunday Walk'. This involved my cousin Andy and me walking along behind ...see more
My mother Jean was born in Greenock in 1916. She married an Englishman and I was born in England in 1941 but spent my holidays with my grandparents, aunts and cousins in Greenock. My grandparents lived in an old tenement in Weir St before moving up the hill after the war to Endrick Rd and newly built houses with gardens. I was really young when they were at the tenement but can still remember 'the close', ...see more
The road you see, scarring the middle left of the picture, is known as Bow Road. Apparently there was a farm at the top of this road known as Bow Farm. The housing estate that was subsequently built in the post war years after 1945, was and still is known as Bow Farm. I was born in this area in 1949 and, as things often go full circle, I have ended up back in this area sometime around 1998. Actually live on Bow ...see more
Would anyone have information on a company called Highland Industries? it was located in Greenock Scotland.
Our family story is that my great grandparents, James & Margaret Risk owned and operated a greenhouse in the Greenock, Campsie, or Kirkentolloch area (it may have been in the Baird name) in the 1890's & 1900's. My mother, May Violet Risk, lived there with her parents James Baird Risk & May Violet Russell Risk in 1911 according to a 1911 census. They came to Canada in 1913. My mom told me stories of living ...see more
I remember the Blitz and losing family at 43/45 Belville Street. I was only 7 then didn't fully realize the overall mayhem of these two nights in May 1941. My dad moved us all to New Lanark where we stayed for two years before returning to Greenock. Old enough then to chase troop trains and watch all of the great liners come into the Tail of the Bank.