Anything to do in Greenock?

[Drawweight]

A bit random I know but I’m going to be in Greenock all day Saturday and part of Sunday 11th and 12th.

I’ve looked on the net and there’s not exactly a lot to do there. Any locals or ex locals that have any ideas to pass the time?

I’ve got the car so further afield is possible.

[hidetheelephants]

Not serious; the A8 will take you swiftly towards Glasgow.

Serious; the Mclean museum is good, although no idea how st CV19+Inverclyde council will have made the opening hours. There's still a decent amount of architecture left despite the best efforts of the Luftwaffe, Inverclyde Council, Peel Ports, etc. so just walking around the old bits of town can be interesting. The Waterfront pool and adjacent cinema might keep the kids happy. In decent weather you can get a ferry from nearby Gourock to Kilcreggan or Dunoon for a walk about, an ice cream and a look at the decaying grandeur of many victorian McMansions. With the car the Western ferry from Mcinroy's point to Hunter's Quay gets you to Dunoon and most of Cowal is within an hour or so's drive; loads of scenery, Portavadie marina gets good reviews for its food, there's a spa if you have a significant other, Tighnabruaich is very pretty. Additional short ferry crossings can be taken to Bute or Kintyre; Mount Stuart House is impressive, there are good sandy beaches on Bute or not far from Tarbert on Kintyre, Tarbert Castle, up the loch there's Inverary Jail and Castle, Kilmartin Museum and more scenery than you can shake a stick at.

What do you like doing, are you alone or with family/kids/etc?

Edited by hidetheelephants on Monday 6th September 18:03

[Drawweight]

I’ll be alone.

I’m bringing the OH through and she’s doing her own thing so I’m just passing the time.

I might just go to the cinema or the museum but a ferry trip sounds fun.

[pokegone]

Bit like above. Greenock can be a little grim, but some interesting history. Gourock (next door) has some good restaurants and pubs, outdoor heated pool if that takes your fancy. In truth plenty to do, but not too many show stoppers. Glasgow isn’t far away, or Largs down the cost for more of a traditional seaside experience.

[hidetheelephants]

I was just looking at Google maps to check stuff and it revealed something I didn't know was in Greenock; the Scottish Fire Service museum. The website reckons it will be open on the afternoon of the Sunday you're there, but best to check given ZOMGPANDEMIC!.

[Heidfirst]

fish, watch ships or go on the Waverley https://waverleyexcursions.co.uk/wp-content/upload...

[Craigie]

If going to Largs, take the single track road from the back of Greenock. Interesting drive.

[Drive Blind]

Walk the Greenock Cut
Gourock outdoor pool
Take the ferry and drive round to Tighnabruaich
Visit Dumbarton castle
Head up the A82 and over the roller coaster road to Faslane and Coulport.

[Drive Blind]

well, did you survive?

[hidetheelephants]

Wasn't really lido weather, fair few rain squalls both days.

[Drawweight]

Drive Blind said:

well, did you survive?

I survived.

In the end I did virtually bugger all. I popped along to the indoor Karting at Clydebank but they were booked solid. I then decided to go to the cinema but my OH phoned and we went for lunch instead. Then instead of her going back to her thing we decided to go for a drive down to Ayr.

Then Sunday morning she wasn’t feeling well so we came home.

A disappointment weekend away but the change of scenery was nice if nothing else.

[loskie]

Ayr's a stehole now isn't it.

[hidetheelephants]

loskie said:

Ayr's a stehole now isn't it.

The station hotel is a bit of a disaster; have the council worked out what to do with it or are they still twiddling thumbs and waiting for someone to set it on fire and save everyone the bother?

[loskie]

one of the problems with the listing of buildings is that it makes anything prohibitively expensive. More thought should be put into such matters

[simonw67]

loskie said:

Ayr's a stehole now isn't it.

Lots of people disagree, prices have went up significantly as glasgow office staff have moved further away from the city.

[loskie]

the town centre used to be a destination for shopping and a day out from quite a distance away. Look at how derelict it is now.

Masses of poorly constructed new builds on the outskirts don't make it a "destination" in my eyes.

There are some nice bits, yes but as a complete package it needs a lot of fixing.

[Drive Blind]

yup, Ayr town centre is pretty grim these days.

I visited Ayr on monday just to get out and about. The walk from the harbour to Doonfoot is pleasant enough. Saw about 5 Porsche boxsters in Doonfoot

[750turbo]

hidetheelephants said:

loskie said:

Ayr's a stehole now isn't it.

The station hotel is a bit of a disaster; have the council worked out what to do with it or are they still twiddling thumbs and waiting for someone to set it on fire and save everyone the bother?

They have no control over the Hotel as it is owned by some Asian guy who cannot be traced now apparently.

He bought this, did not allow alcohol sales - Well that was going to do well!

[Jader1973]

loskie said:

the town centre used to be a destination for shopping and a day out from quite a distance away. Look at how derelict it is now.

Masses of poorly constructed new builds on the outskirts don't make it a "destination" in my eyes.

There are some nice bits, yes but as a complete package it needs a lot of fixing.

According to my parents the council are planning on building a swimming pool in / at the old Hourston’s site. A swimming pool with no parking apparently.

They should never have allowed the new shopping centre at the station end and instead redeveloped further down.

The entire High Street is embarrassing.