Inverclyde - Interpretation Strategy

An Interpretive Plan for Inverclyde Volcanoes, Water and Girders

Prepared for

The Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network Partnership, Inverclyde Council, Riverside Inverclyde and Lower Clyde Greenspace By

Tourism and Environment Consultancy November 2010

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David Warnock Tourism and Environment Consultancy Buchany Ancaster Road Callander Perthshire FK17 8EL Tel: 01877 330159 Mob: 07811 779 926 Fax: 01877 331544 Email: warnocks@tinyworld.co.uk Cover photo: VICTORIA HARBOUR, GREENOCK - The old dry dock with associated gates and fencing, Nov 2009. This photo clearly shows the ‘front to back’ connectivity between the industrial heritage of the waterfront, the middle residential strip and the background lava hills.

A key opportunity for interpretation in Inverclyde is to join this economic, cultural and natural

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heritage together to tell the story of Inverclyde’s past, highlight regeneration work of the present and to ensure this heritage is appreciated and preserved for the future.

Contents Executive Summary Section One – Background to the Interpretive Strategy Project 1.1 1.2 1.3

Introduction – Why are we doing this?

Aims of the report – What will be achieved?

Method and approach – Maximising benefits for Inverclyde from interpretation

Section Two – An Assessment of Interpretation in Inverclyde 2.1 2.2 2.3

Existing interpretation Other relevant interpretation close to Inverclyde Other relevant interpretation away from Inverclyde

Section Three – Inverclyde Interpretation Strategy

Volcanoes, Water and Girders 3.1 Introduction 3.1.2 Good practice principles 3.2

A vision for interpretation of Inverclyde 3.2.1 Aims 3.2.2 Objectives for interpretation

3.3

Interpretive Themes 3.3.1 3.3.2 3.3.3 3.3.4 3.3.5 3.3.6 3.3.7

3.4

Volcanoes Water The Clyde Estuary Shipbuilding A Safe Haven Water in the Woods Industrial Powerhouse, Decline and Regeneration

Target Audiences 3.4.1 3.4.2 3.4.3 3.4.4

Local communities Returning visitors First-time visitors School groups

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3.4.5 Other educational and training groups 3.4.6 Specialist groups 3.5

Routes to Interpretation 3.5.1 Museums and Visitor Centres 3.5.2 Leaflet/poster 3.5.3 Series of panels 3.5.4 Guided walks 3.5.5 Cycle routes 3.5.6 Public art 3.5.7 Living history 3.5.8 Events 3.5.9 Websites 3.5.10 Other forms of technology 3.5.11 Orientation and information 3.5.12 Style

Section Four – The Next Steps…

4.1

Interest in Inverclyde ‘Interpretive Network’

4.2

Links and integration

4.3

Partnership working

4.4

Monitoring and evaluation

4.5

Indicative costs

4.6

Interpretation proposals for potential sites 4.6.1 4.6.2 4.6.3 4.6.4 4.6.5 4.6.6 4.6.7 4.6.8 4.6.9

Inverclyde-Wide Sub-Areas Gourock Greenock Port Glasgow Kilmacolm Inverkip Wemyss Bay Rural Inverclyde

Section Five - Appendices Appendix 1 - References Appendix 2 – List of Consultees

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Executive Summary Inverclyde is an area currently undergoing very significant levels of regeneration. This regeneration is occurring within a physical framework which contains a rich resource in terms of cultural, industrial and natural heritage.

This heritage offers a strong appeal for visitors to the area, and also an important educational resource for residents. Taken together, these various heritage assets help to define what Inverclyde has been in the past, what it is today and what it can be in the future.

Although there are some significant exceptions, generally speaking this resource is under used and poorly marketed. The main object of the Inverclyde Interpretation Strategy is to change this situation to one where visitors to Inverclyde will leave with a more positive perception of the area (therefore more likely to return), and where residents will become better informed of their own heritage (therefore increasing civic pride) likely to stay to live and set up business in the area.

Background and Project Brief The Glasgow and Clyde Valley (GCV) Green Network Partnership has the aim of creating a step change in the scale and quality of the Green Network to improve the region’s competitiveness for investment, enhance quality of life, promote biodiversity and more sustainable use of natural resources, and encourage healthy lifestyles.

The need for an Interpretation Strategy emerged as a foundation action from the Inverclyde Green Network Study.

To ensure joined up thinking and to give added value to previous investment this strategy has been carefully set in the context of the Inverclyde Green Network Study.

This report is in several sections which together give ‘the big picture’ of the situation at time of writing, and future potential and benefits.

The key objective of this approach was to provide a strategic context that underpinned specific actions and projects. In this way, as well as being a ‘snapshot in time’, the document will also act as a ‘blueprint’ and useful ‘toolbox’ for action.

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Section One Aims and Objectives – What will be achieved?

The aims of the project were: 3

To identify areas suitable for quality interpretation.

4

To provide details enabling future interpretation to be ‘lifted off the shelf’ as opportunities arise.

5

To identify key district-wide themes, which will help pull interpretation in Inverclyde into a coherent framework.

6

To provide an evaluation of why interpretation is important to each of the project partners, and to provide a justification for a strategic approach to future interpretation within Inverclyde.

These aims also sit comfortably under the wider aims and recommendations of the Inverclyde Green Network Study.

A key part of the final Strategy is a suggested methodology to ensure that, as much as possible, future interpretation within Inverclyde is complementary in terms of approach, design, content and appearance and that partners take interpretation forward in a coordinated manner. .

This methodology is guided by general principles and recognised good practice, the suggested themes and target audience. It also aims to give a co-ordinated ‘strategic fit’ to existing policies and likely physical developments.

An extensive photographic record was kept during site visits. This now occupies several albums and gives a valuable ‘snapshot’ of the condition of numerous sites in Inverclyde when the photographs were taken during 2009/10.

Section Two An Assessment of Interpretation in Inverclyde The main aim of the assessment was to undertake a systematic audit and assessment of existing interpretive facilities, practice and provision within Inverclyde.

This section also includes a brief review of relevant visitor attractions and interpretation close to Inverclyde such as the Titan Crane at Clydebank and from further afield such as the Merseyside Maratime Museum along with some ‘examples of good practice’ for the development of interpretation in Inverclyde.

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Section Three Inverclyde Interpretation Strategy -

Volcanoes, Water and Girders…

A Vision for Interpretation of Inverclyde As the Interpretation Strategy is seen as an early action from the wider Green Network it is important that a more specific vision for the Interpretation Strategy is suggested as follows: ‘It is the vision of the GCV Green Network Partnership to interpret to all residents and visitors using a variety of innovative and creative interpretive provision, the theme: ‘Without access to water, Inverclyde would not have developed into such an important industrial, agricultural and tourist area.’ and to facilitate an enjoyable and safe recreational learning experience for all, while instilling and demonstrating civic pride and regeneration in Inverclyde.’

Objectives for Interpretation Objectives are a way of stating what the interpretation is aiming to do.

There are three basic kinds of interpretation objectives which are: Learning objectives - What we want the visitor to learn and remember.

Behavioural objectives - What we want visitors to do.

Emotional objectives - How we want the visitor to feel.

Interpretive Themes The interpretive theme is given in the Vision. The theme is the ‘big picture’ and is the most important thing for people to remember.

A key objective of the Interpretive Strategy is to ‘make connections’ under the overarching interpretive theme and sub-themes.

This theme is divided into sub themes that are suggested below: Volcanoes Shaping Inverclyde with fire!

Fresh Water So what’s the big deal about rain..?

The Clyde Estuary Doon the water..!

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Shipbuilding The term ‘Clyde-built’ is a label on many of the finest and most famous ships in the world.

A Safe Haven The Inverclyde dockyards and anchorage were a welcome refuge particularly in war time.

Water in the Woods Inverclyde has some fantastic hidden glens each with its own burn running through it from the hills to the sea.

Industrial Powerhouse, Decline and Regeneration In the past Inverclyde was the ‘Export Capital of Scotland’ and suffered from a sad decline. However, new opportunities are now helping to revive the area through a massive investment in regeneration projects.

Target Audiences Six main target audiences were identified as follows: • • • • • •

Local communities Returning visitors First-time visitors School groups Other educational and training groups Specialist groups

Proposed Routes to Interpretation During our research and consultations there were several mentions of the idea for some sort of custom-built centre to act as a focus for local maritime heritage and visitor attraction.

However, our conclusion is that such a centre should not form part of future interpretive provision due to: • • •

the capital and revenue costs involved there are other museums and centres nearby such as the Riverside Museum in Glasgow a more effective strategy would be a series of relatively small scale projects spread throughout the Inverclyde area.

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Section Four The Next Steps Interest in Inverclyde ‘Interpretive Network’ Once it has been agreed to implement the plan some sort of management and co-ordination mechanism should be put in place to take the plan forward.

The establishment of an ‘Interpretive Network’ is a possible way forward.

However, it is recognised that potential partners have limited time and so if a separate group is not considered feasible then the network could operate as a sub-group of an existing group.

The primary purpose of the network will be to ensure an integrated and quality approach to future interpretation of Inverclyde. The ‘network’ should promote interpretation for people of all ages and knowledge. Principally, the network should aim to provide a good basis for education, respect for the site, local pride and enhancement of the visitor experience.

The Interest in Inverclyde ‘Interpretive Network’ idea would operate at three levels. Firstly, it would be the collective name given to the existing sites of natural, industrial and cultural heritage interest. Secondly, the ‘network’ would be linked to how people access the sites, reference would be made to the Outdoor Access Strategy for Inverclyde. Thirdly, the management group would include a range of interested parties. Along with the implementation of the plan monitoring and evaluation will be an important role for the group.

The ideal, we think, would be to have a dedicated person to work on a part-time basis whose duties would include servicing the group, organising events, research and interpretation and fund raising for projects.

Links and Integration From fieldwork and desktop studies we have already noted limited integration between initiatives and sites. For example between the McLean Museum and Cornalees Bridge.

Another current attempt at this is the ‘Discover Inverclyde’ leaflet which gives an interesting summary of the main settlements of the area. However, there is scope to increase the effectiveness of the leaflet to act as an ‘umbrella’ for the various sites and to make more of Inverclyde’s heritage by ‘joining up the dots’.

However, perhaps the most important concept from this integration project was the idea of ‘Connecting People and Places’ not just the present day Inverclyde but the maritime history of Inverclydes’s past and how that influenced so many parts of the world. Inverclyde’s industrial landscapes of a relatively short time ago and going right back to the volcanic activity that shaped the land that is now Inverclyde.

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Partnership working As well as links with the groups already mentioned the interpretive network group should also be constantly looking to consolidate existing interpretive provision and developing new opportunities through partnerships with organisations such as Network Rail, Sustrans and Cal Mac. Opportunities should also be sought to work with local communities and businesses.

Monitoring and Evaluation Monitoring and evaluation are important to help find out if the interpretation is achieving the interpretive objectives. It also gives the opportunity to review and make changes if necessary. Of particular importance will be evaluation at the end of the plan’s 4 year ‘lifespan’ in 2014. We recommend a thorough review at this stage.

Interpretation Proposals for Potential Sites This is a particularly important section as it begins to map out what interpretive provision might be made available to the people of Inverclyde and visitors.

Lower Clyde Greenspace have a key role in providing strategic direction, giving guidance on practical aspects and ‘quality control’ and making connections between agencies and communities.

The loose-leaf format of this report is designed to allow for projects to be taken out and ‘worked-up’ to delivery on the ground or for further detail to be added as required.

Further projects may also be added as suggestions come from community groups or LCG and GCV Green Network partners. It is hoped that by following the guidance given in this report projects can gain from being part of a bigger story but still retain community identity.

The specific proposals have been grouped in rough geographical areas.

All the locations identified in the Green Network Study as being of regional importance have been included. However, it is important to stress that these should be part of the Inverclyde wide picture to avoid duplication of effort, ensure any potential transferable skills, economies of scale and partnership working benefits are maximised.

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Section One Background to the Interpretive Strategy Project 1.1

Introduction – Why are we doing this?

Inverclyde is an area currently undergoing very significant levels of regeneration. This regeneration is occurring within a physical framework which contains a rich resource in terms of cultural, industrial and natural heritage. There are elements of this heritage that are important at local, regional and national level. Indeed, given the outstanding maritime legacy of Inverclyde there is also great international interest and affection for the area.

This heritage offers a strong attraction for visitors to the area, and also an important educational resource for residents. Taken together, these various heritage assets help to define what Inverclyde has been in the past, what it is today and what it can be in the future.

Although there are some significant exceptions, generally speaking this resource is under used and poorly marketed. The main object of the Interpret Inverclyde Strategy is to change this situation to one where visitors to Inverclyde will leave with a more positive perception of the area (therefore more likely to return), and where residents will become better informed of their own heritage (therefore increasing civic pride) likely to stay to live and set up business in the area.

Background and Project Brief The Glasgow and Clyde Valley (GCV) Green Network Partnership has the aim of creating a step change in the scale and quality of the Green Network to improve the region’s competitiveness for investment, enhance quality of life, promote biodiversity and more sustainable use of natural resources, and encourage healthy lifestyles.

Four key themes provide the framework for project development: stronger communities; enterprise development; health improvement and biodiversity and the environment.

The need for an Interpretation Strategy emerged as a foundation action from the Inverclyde Green Network Study. This important study was supported financially by Inverclyde Council, the former Communities Scotland, Riverside Inverclyde and the GCV Green Network Partnership. A key output of the study was a strategic overview of the current and future value of quality greenspace within Inverclyde. The study also highlighted many potential benefits to Inverclyde Council and the wide range of partners it engages with in terms of delivery of agency and community objectives and aspirations.

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To ensure joined up thinking and to give added value to previous investment this strategy has been carefully set in the context of the Inverclyde Green Network Study.

This report is in five sections which together give ‘the big picture’ of the situation at time of writing and future potential and benefits. The key objective of this approach was to provide a strategic context that underpinned specific actions and projects. In this way, as well as being a ‘snapshot in time’, the document will also act as a ‘blueprint’ and useful ‘toolbox’ for action.

1.2

Aims and Objectives – What will be achieved?

The aims of the project were: •

To identify areas suitable for quality interpretation.

•

To provide details enabling future interpretation to be ‘lifted off the shelf’ as opportunities arise.

•

To identify key district-wide themes, which will help pull interpretation in Inverclyde into a coherent framework.

•

To provide an evaluation of why interpretation is important to each of the project partners, and to provide a justification for a strategic approach to future interpretation within Inverclyde.

1.3

Method and Approach – Maximising benefits for Inverclyde from interpretation

This section of the report describes the method and approach that was adopted to meet the objectives of the project. The work programme was split into seven stages as outlined below: Stage 1

Briefing Meeting

An in-depth briefing meeting was held with the Steering Group. The briefing allowed the contractor to: •

Gain a fuller understanding of the scope of work required and the Steering Group’s aspirations for the project.

•

Identify the source of any further, relevant documentation and previous studies e.g. contact list of the Steering Group and copy of the Inverclyde Green Network Study.

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•

Obtain a listing and contact details of all current stakeholders and agree a list of appropriate consultees.

•

Discuss more detailed ideas on content and format for the Interpretation Strategy.

•

Generally agree specific interim outputs, the project timetable, key meeting dates and milestones and any changes to the proposal.

A key part of the briefing meeting was to clarify the desired long-term objectives of the Steering Group and the organisations they represented. The delivery of the Strategy as a strategic project identified in the Inverclyde Green Network Review of 2008 was seen as paramount. However, further objectives were identified such as attracting more people to become involved in interpretation of Inverclyde’s natural and cultural heritage and to increase the use of interpretation by developers, planners and community groups.

Many of these objectives naturally fell from the Green Network Review and other strategies.

Stage 2

Identification of the key themes for interpretation

Identification of key themes was based on information outlined in the brief and gathered in Stage 1 along with web-based and on-site research.

Consultations also took place with members of the Steering Group and other organisations to ensure a complete list of potential themes.

The main goal of an interpretive theme is to help focus resources in terms of time, money and effort on exactly what the interpretation should communicate. The theme is the ‘big picture’ and is the key thing for people to remember. The overall theme identified for interpreting the natural and cultural heritage of Inverclyde was ‘water’ as expanded below: Without access to water, Inverclyde would not have developed into such an important industrial, agricultural and tourist area.

This theme was divided into sub-themes which were linked to wider regeneration, social inclusion and other objectives from policies such as ‘Community Learning and Development in Inverclyde 2008-2011 developed by the Inverclyde Alliance.

The key theme and sub-themes are a particularly important part of the Interpretive Strategy which forms Section Three of the full report.

Once the theme was established existing interpretive resources were then identified and assessed as outlined in Stage 3 below: Stage 3

Identification of existing interpretive resources and an assessment of how these resources can be better integrated.

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Several websites were checked and found to contain a great deal of very interesting and helpful information. Solutions to link these together in simple ways such as putting website addresses on interpretive panels were identified to give potential ‘added value’ to an under-used resource. A summary assessment of existing interpretation was produced based on fieldwork and ‘best practice’ evaluation techniques.

Existing interpretation in Inverclyde and elsewhere i.e. Tall Ship, Glasgow Museum, Titan Crane was also audited. The audit concluded with a summary list/table of Inverclyde sites with new and/or improved interpretation potential.

Visits were made to McLean Museum, the Custom House and other visitor centres such as the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park centre at Cornalees Bridge. Sites with existing interpretive panels such as those along the coastal walkway at Port Glasgow and specific sites such as Wemyss Bay Pier were also surveyed. Finally, relevant leaflets and map guides were examined and possible improvements listed.

Guidance on evaluating interpretation as given in other publications, for example, the ‘Highland Interpretive Strategy Project’ survey and SNH’s Interpretive Provision Guide were used to aid the assessment.

The assessment also considered other aspects of visitor management such as access to public transport, car parking, constraints such as safety issues, landowner/neighbour issues, suitability for school or other groups, etc.

A key issue noted from an early stage was that very few links had been made between existing interpretive resources.

As part of the survey and assessment work, existing and potential opportunities for ‘connectivity’ between sites and materials in terms of geographical links and interpretive themes and content was highlighted.

Section Two gives details of the assessment of Interpretation in Inverclyde.

Lessons learned from the audit and evaluation stages were also listed and, where possible, combined with organisations existing objectives before incorporating these into an Interpretive Strategy that will guide future interpretation in Inverclyde. Details of this methodology are given in Section Three of the report.

A general assessment and suggestions of how existing and future interpretive resources can be better integrated is a key part of the overall Interpretive Strategy and is also given in Section Three of the final report.

However, perhaps the most important concept for the project approach is the idea of ‘Connecting People and Places’ not just the present day Inverclyde but the people and events of the area’s cultural past and how people and products from Inverclyde have travelled all over the world. Details of potential sites and suggested interpretation is given in Section Four of the final report.

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How these sites were selected is given in Stage Four, below: Stage 4

Selection of key sites suitable for interpretation and associated benefits

A wide selection of sites were examined throughout Inverclyde. A key part of the approach to this stage was to ‘think out of the box’ and to avoid traditional constraints. For example, along with the more obvious sites such as Lyle Hill, Tower Hill, The Comet, Wemyss Bay Pier, other less obvious sites such as the bridge overlooking the container terminal were examined. This innovative approach helped to spawn ideas such as a community project to produce a panel and/or piece of artwork showing the once extensive railway sidings that were part of the busy railway/steamer pier of Princes Pier.

A survey form for each site was produced in order to compare the benefits of each one and try to quantify issues such as likely maintenance.

Various agencies, particularly managers of sites, were contacted to gather information on future plans for these sites and to find out previous history and if any specific information was available such as previous projects and visitor numbers and types.

Ensuring a wide geographical spread was also seen as a way to ensure community ownership of the Strategy and its future project delivery on the ground.

Another strand to the approach was one of ‘partnership working’, building and coordinating the approach already taken by several shops, cafes and public buildings in the area. This approach would include examples such as a local tea room to agree to have interpretation on their premises where an indoor exhibit would be appropriate. For example, at a site prone to vandalism or where an outdoor exhibit would detract from the site. The Continental Café in Gourock is a possibility? This approach has been successful elsewhere where temporary exhibits have been installed in local supermarkets such as Tesco and Co-Op to reach people who seldom visit museums, libraries and country park visitor centres. This ‘taking interpretation to the people’ approach is a method that is felt to be particularly appropriate for Inverclyde.

For example, opportunities for local youth to be involved in an interpretation project were identified. In this way the strategy was designed to help with the wider ‘social inclusion’ objectives of the Steering Group and partner organisations as detailed in the Inverclyde Green Network Study.

Section Three of the report gives key criteria as part of the overall Interpretation Strategy.

The development of simple, project briefs was the next stage of the work as outlined in Stage 5 below:

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Stage 5

Develop, a ‘mini-brief’ for each identified site

Where available, existing baseline information such as visitor numbers and types was used as background to the mini-briefs.

Specific recommendations were guided by the findings from previous stages, the likely and target audience for each facet and the complexity of the message to be put across at each site.

The mini-briefs give detailed proposals, some of which are Inverclyde-wide actions but most concentrate on relatively minor projects with sketch drafts and photos for the various sites identified. These are intended to spread benefits more widely than a ‘one-off’ large scale interpretive centre or similar.

There is also a summary table.

The idea behind the mini-briefs was to have proposals that could be taken off the shelf and quickly developed and implemented as time and money allowed.

These mini briefs form a series of integrated proposals and form the bulk of Section Four of the final Strategy.

Stage 6

Interim Report

At the end of the review/research/consultation stages, an Interim Report was prepared to include: • • •

an analysis of needs and concerns, initial proposals for an interpretive framework appropriate to the Inverclyde situation a means of delivering effective interpretation to meet the aims of Steering Group and wider Review and Partners.

The Interim Report took on board all of the previous research, results of consultations in earlier stages and the outcomes of discussions with the Steering Group, public agencies, community groups and individuals.

This report and appraisal formed the basis for further discussions with the Steering Group. The report summarised findings and set out the framework for the final, detailed Interpretation Strategy.

To give ‘added value’ and co-ordination sections within the report were crossreferenced to each other and also to relevant local, regional and national policies and strategies.

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Stage 7

Development of the final Interpretation Strategy

The final report is based around two principal and related elements and is designed to help answer the key questions posed in the project: Firstly, Assessing the value of interpretation to Inverclyde: •

How can interpretation be used to place the natural, cultural, historical and human heritage at the heart of the ongoing regeneration process?

•

How can interpretation be used to highlight the uniqueness of Inverclyde?

•

How can interpretation help to encourage return visits of tourists to Inverclyde?

Secondly, Assessing the potential for improved interpretation in Inverclyde: •

What is there to interpret, and why is it important?

•

Can a more strategic approach to interpretation within Inverclyde give better value for existing resources?

•

What channels of communication can be established between groups currently interested in interpretation?

A key part of the final Strategy is a suggested methodology to ensure that, as much as possible, future interpretation within Inverclyde is complementary in terms of approach, design, content and appearance and that partners take interpretation forward in a coordinated manner. .

This methodology is guided by general principles and recognised good practice, the suggested themes and target audience. It also aims to give a co-ordinated ‘strategic fit’ to existing policies and likely physical developments.

One of the key challenges of the project was to produce the specific strategy section (Section Three) whilst managing a huge amount of detailed information. This was done by placing the majority of detailed site and other proposals in Section Four (4.6 Interpretation Proposals for Potential Sites).

The final report therefore contains details of viable, alternative proposed structures/ frameworks/ models appropriate to the Inverclyde situation that will

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effectively deliver solutions to the identified problems along with their respective ‘pros and cons’.

Various appendices including references were also added to the final report.

An extensive photographic record was kept during site visits. This now occupies several albums and gives a valuable ‘snapshot’ of the condition of numerous sites in Inverclyde when the photographs were taken during 2009/10. This collection is held by Lower Clyde Greenspace.

The contract was concluded with a presentation of findings and proposals to the Steering Group and other interested parties.

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Section Two An Assessment of Interpretation in Inverclyde 2.1

Assessment of existing interpretation

The main aim of the assessment was to undertake a systematic audit and assessment of existing interpretive facilities, practice and provision within Inverclyde. The audit had five main objectives as follows: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

To generate an inventory of existing interpretive provision To provide a brief assessment of the physical condition of the interpretive provision To assist in identifying ‘early action’ requirements in the context of forthcoming events and initiatives such as the Tall Ships Race 2011 To assist managers in assessing priorities for urgent action and programming for future provision as resources allowed To assist with funding bids

An inventory of existing interpretation at Inverclyde sites is given below. An assessment of how effectively this existing interpretation met aims of general principles and overall aims of project is given in figures 1 and 2.

The assessment helped to inform the Interpretive Strategy in Section Three but it particularly highlighted opportunities for improvements which are given as a series of mini briefs in Section Four.

This section also includes a brief review of relevant visitor attractions and Interpretation from outwith Inverclyde along with some lessons for the development of interpretation in Inverclyde.

Museums and Visitor Centres McLean Museum General Description - The McLean Museum and Art Gallery is recognised as one of the best municipal museums in Scotland. The Museum has served as the main museum in the Inverclyde area since it opened in 1876 and has a variety of collections for visitors to discover and explore.

The Museum is fully accredited by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council and is rated by VisitScotland as a four star visitor attraction.

Some very impressive ship models mostly built in Inverclyde along with photographs and artefacts form a central exhibit with further examples around the walls.

A James Watt leaflet produced in 2004 celebrates James Watt by linking his life and achievements to Inverclyde and the effects of his technologies on its industrial development.

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The ground floor has displays on the history of Inverclyde that outline the development of the main towns and villages of Inverclyde and and the various traditional industries of the area. These include shipbuilding and nautical engineering, ropemaking and sugar refining. There are also displays on less well known industries such as Clyde pottery and Greenock silver which has pieces by local silversmiths. There are also personal items belonging to the perfector of the steam engine, James Watt. Temporary exhibitions are also held in the centre of the museum.

Also on the ground floor are: 1. The Watt Hall is where temporary art exhibitions and displays are shown. These frequently draw on the museum’s own collection of paintings which includes work from the seventeenth century to the present day. The full programme of temporary exhibitions is listed in the museum’s newsletter. However, the Hall is occasionally closed on some days to permit other events to take place.

2. The Art Galleries usually have a selection of paintings from the Museum’s collection, primarily dating from the Victorian period, which includes views of Inverclyde in the past.

On the upper floor are displays on: • • •

Ethnography with items from old Japan, China and south Asia Natural history on the theme of conservation Egyptology with various objects from ancient Egyptian tombs.

There is also a display telling of the exploits of Robert Lyons Scott , director of the world famous Scotts’ Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Ltd. which includes various ‘big game’ specimens shot whilst on safari in Sudan, Kenya and India. Animals, birds and fish that he had collected on his world travels were presented to the McLean Museum. Others went to the British Museum (now Natural History Museum) in London. On his expedition to British East Africa (now Kenya) he had a field naturalist with him to collect birds and small animals. The collection of African birds he donated to Greenock was an extensive one with many specimens represented. Usually a male and female of each for comparison.

Lyons also collected arms and armour from all over the world with his collection now stored/ on show at the Kelvingrove Museum in Glasgow.

Other points - In parallel and, complementary to, the actual displays is the Museum’s website and blog where the full range and size of the Museums collections can be appreciated. Visitors to the website can find out more indepth information about the objects in the collections and also learn more about the various services the Museum has to offer. They can also be updated on events and new acquisitions.

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The website has been further developed to also act as the ‘Inverclyde Heritage Hub’. The Hub is an online forum for all those interested in Inverclyde’s past. There is a range of discussions on a wide variety of themes related to Inverclyde’s complex and interesting history. Users of the Hub can also make their own contribution to the forum and share their knowledge with others.

The Museum works as part of the West of Scotland Museums and Heritage Partnership which helps to ensure that museum collections, displays and outreach complement one another and avoid duplication. This is mainly done by concentrating on their local area and pooling resources in ‘cross-border’ cooperation on issues such as natural history records.

The museum also works with the lnverclyde area of Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park in an attempt to coordinate activities with Cornalees Bridge and Lunderston Bay. Consequently, the Museum has not give great detail on the Greenock Cut or local wildlife. However, the Museum does hold ‘closed collections’ of geological samples and bird and animal specimens.

Museum staff also contribute to the work of Inverclyde’s Tourism Strategy Group.

A number of visitors (particularly Canadians) from the large cruse ships that berth at the Container Terminal make a point of visiting the Museum in an attempt to find out: • •

more about relatives who lived in the area or were stationed in the area during the war or to seek out information and photographs of the area as it was when they lived here.

We were particularly impressed by the way staff at the museum dealt with these inquiries as they were excellent and real ‘ambassadors’ for the work of the museum and Inverclyde heritage. The Museum is therefore likely to have a key role in helping to shape and deliver elements of the Interpretation Strategy by building on its existing good work. For example, 2011 will be the tercentenary of the foundation of Scotts’ shipyard in 1711. To mark this event the Museum will be mounting a special exhibition devoted to the history of Scotts’ shipyard and the role it played in Clyde shipbuilding for almost 300 years.

This report should be used to help guide the planning for this exhibition.

The Museum is also likely to receive an increase in visitors attracted to the area by the Tall Ships Race in July 2011.

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Custom House Museum The Custom House is a magnificent grade A listed building, which until March 2010, was a museum that gave the history of the Customs and Excise Service.

The exhibition was rather dated particularly the section which dealt with the work of the modern HM Customs and Excise. For example, the most up to date figures given for recovery of VAT was 1998. However, the exhibition still had some interesting historical aspects particularly the ‘tools of the trade’ of excise men when Greenock was a busy port in the 18th century. The museum also detailed the connection with Robert Burns who was an exciseman and had copies of lists of some of the cargo he checked for taxes.

At time of writing this strategy the current owner (H.M. Revenue and Customs) were restructuring their operations and had recently closed the building. There is uncertainty over the building’s future and how it will be used. It is assumed that because of the buildings great historical importance it will be kept secure and wind and water tight. However, its location would be ideal to form some sort of maritime-themed centre at a realistic scale. See Section Four (4.4) for an expansion of this suggestion.

Cornalees Bridge Centre This centre is owned and managed by the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park Authority. The main interpretive feature of the Centre is an exhibition about Robert Thom and his scheme to get water from Loch Thom via the Greenock Cut to Greenock. This exhibition was installed early in 2009 so at time of writing this audit and assessment was relatively recent.

As there is an existing Interpretive Plan specifically for the Greenock Cut it will be important to ensure co-ordination between recommendations of this report and any new proposals. This would also apply to proposals for Loch Thom, The Greenock Cut itself, the Kelly Cut and other rural areas of Inverclyde’s hinterland.

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Photo 2.1: Inverclyde Industry display in the McLean Museum, Aug 2009.

Photo 2.2: Cornalees Bridge Centre, Oct 2009. New exhibition installed in summer of 2009 telling story of Greenock Cut.

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Sites related to Port Glasgow Coastal Path (Finlaystone, Parklea, Kelburn Park, Newark Castle) The path starts from just before the boundary of Inverclyde with Renfrewshire at the edge of the Inner Clyde Nature Reserve with potential for disturbing feeding and roosting birds and other wildlife. The reserve is particularly important for wintering redshanks. There are patches of eel grass which would attract wildfowl. A flock of 30 wigeon was recorded during a site visit along with signs of roe deer and otter. A leaflet about the reserve has been produced by the RSPB. The RSPB have three nature reserves on the Inner Clyde, Finlaystone on the Inverclyde side with Cardross and Dumbarton Rock on the north side of the river. The path runs along the coast towards Port Glasgow.

There are views to Finlaystone House and Estate which give an attractive backdrop to the path. There are also good views up river over an extensive series of disused timber ponds towards the Erskine Bridge and across the river to Dumbarton.

A series of ten interpretive panels have been installed between the end of the coastal path and Newark Castle as part of the Lower Clyde Project/ Inverclyde Coastal Footpath. The panels highlight the geological formation of the landscape, history, wildlife and industry of the area.

Number one and two panels, ‘Fire and Ice’ and ‘The Dark Ages’ are still in place. However, they are faded but can just be read. Any replacements should be redesigned in keeping with good practice guidelines. A new map could also be used to highlight the path links between the coastal sites.

Number three panel ‘Early years on the Clyde’ is also still in place near Finlaystone Point.

Some of the area is marked on Ordnance Survey maps as being owned by the National Trust for Scotland. However, there is no on-site interpretation or current plans to install any.

Although the coastal path runs parallel to the busy Gourock – Glasgow railway and A8 road there is a sense of isolation and for some people, lack of security. This part of path did not appear to have nearly as much use as section between Parklea and Finlaystone Point.

At Parklea there is a car park which is a popular starting point for people walking dogs. Most walkers head towards Finlaystone Point. The car park is tarred and could accommodate about 40 cars depending on how they were parked.

There is a metal panel on a red sandstone plinth which concentrates on the area’s importance as a feeding ground for wintering birds particularly redshanks. However, there is no orientation. Although the site is used by many local regulars it is also occasional visited by birdwatchers as it is one of Inverclyde Interpretive Strategy – FINAL REPORT November 2010

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the few places on this section of coast with vehicle access. The panel also briefly describes the timber ponds. However, there was no orientation or links to other Inverclyde sites on the panel. See photo 2.6. A replacement panel would be of particular benefit to visitors and would make a welcome ‘early action’ following the recent improvements to the car park area. See 4.6 in Section Four.

There are good views from car park down river towards Greenock and Container Terminal so scope for making connections between sites.

Inverclyde Council have a depot beside the car park with toilets to cater for visiting football teams and supporters. The site is often busy at weekends during the football season.

The main feature along this stretch of coast is the expanse of disused timber ponds and associated on shore loading areas. This site could benefit from further interpretation focusing on this feature.

The path from Parklea to Kelburn Park has panel four in the series entitled Crannogs’ but this is now enclosed by trees and shrubs with no view of any crannogs. This path appeared to be seldom used by anyone. No cars were ever seen in the Kelburn Park car park and the site had an air of a place that most people avoided. There was evidence of vandalism and other anti-social behaviour. However, a further three of the panels installed by the Lower Clyde Project/Inverclyde Coastal Footpath had survived. These panels covered ‘Timber Ponds’, ‘Form and Function’ and ‘Migration’.

There is also a path and footbridge over the A8 which gave access to Kelburn Park and the coast from Woodhall Station and nearby housing estates A wide and open riverside path continued from Kelburn Park to Newark Castle between the river and the A8. This section gave uninterrupted views across the river and ahead towards Fyfe Shore and Newark Castle.

From the end of this section of path, just before Fyfe Shore to Newark Castle are the final three panels in the ten panel series. These are all faded and/or vandalised and were entitled ‘Predators, Prey and Pirates’, ‘The Making of Port Glasgow’ and ‘Newark Castle – Maxwells’ House’.

From Fyfe Shore there are excellent views back towards Kelburn Park, down river towards Newark Castle itself and Greenock Container Terminal beyond and across the river to Cardross, Helensburgh, the Gare Loch and Cowal Peninsular. However, the large yellow crane in Ferguson’s shipyard dominated many views of the castle.

Members and others around the Newark Boating Club and visitors to the castle give the site a degree of ‘natural security’ during the day and some evenings. The launching jetty is also popular with anglers.

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Newark Castle was the 15th century home of the Maxwell family who originally sold the land around the castle for the development of Port Glasgow to the Glasgow baillies.

The castle is owned and managed by Historic Scotland and opened to the public between April to September. The area surrounding the castle is owned

by Inverclyde Council. During the winter various repairs are often carried out to keep the building in good condition.

The site is generally screened from the busy A8 road and has plenty of hard standing, car parking area. The use of old cobles for internal car park divisions has been a thoughtful, landscaping feature.

There was a large sign with history of Newark Castle on one side of wooden shelter style housing. Along with the history of the castle the sign also repeated the story of the timber ponds and wildlife of the River. This panel also highlighted the footpath link to Kelburn Park. However, the panel did not meet current good practice standards in terms of design and Disability Discrimination Act compliance and should also be replaced using a corporate style.

There was also an Inverclyde style metal entitled ‘Newark Castle Park’ giving details of the layout of the site and helpfully showing start of the riverside walkway to Kelburn Park.

Brown tourist signing directed visitors from the main A8 road at Newark roundabout past Ferguson’s yard and into the site car park.

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Photo 2.3: Series of existing panels on site as found during survey work Sept to Nov 2009. Remarkably, all the panels installed in 1993 were still there albeit most showed signs of vandalism. This problem was been taken into account when developing the proposals given in Section Four (4.6).

Photo 2.4: Existing panel at Parklea telling importance of area for birdlife, particularly wintering waders such as redshank. The design falls well below current interpretive good practice. Suggestions for replacement are given in Section Four (4.6).

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Photo 2.5: View of Newark Castle, Oct 2009. The castle is one of the most important historical sites in Inverclyde. Well signposted from main A8 road and easily accessible on foot.

Photo 2.6: Existing panel at Newark Castle, Oct 2009. As with other panels along the design falls well below current interpretive good practice. Cordinated design with other panels along the waterfront would add greatly to an Inverclyde ‘Sense of Place’. Suggestions for improvements are given in Section Four (4.6).

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Sites related to Greenock Battery Park This site is also described in the Inverclyde Green Network Study as a ‘regionally important location’ and the following is a combination of this description and additional interpretation related details.

Battery Park lies at the western edge of Greenock, adjacent to the A770 road and running to the shore of the Clyde. The park has numerous facilities and is well maintained.

The park is located within easy reach for populations of Greenock and Gourock and is also serviced by local bus routes and is close to Fort Matilda railway station. It achieves a good ranking for disabled access but could improve as the eastern entrance is stepped. The path network allows for circuits and has access/exits at either end. The facilities of the play parks and ‘astroturf’ football pitches are in excellent condition.

The main feature of the park is its large open grass area with football and rugby pitches and a larger open area for informal recreation, both of these areas are well-maintained. The park, therefore, appears exposed with trees and planting along paths but not elsewhere. It forms a significant part of the landscape setting of the western part of Greenock.

Although the actual park has a minimal contribution for wildlife the rocky shore often holds a surprising variety of waders, gulls and ducks although not in the same number as the mudflats further upriver.

In terms of supporting health/well-being the park is an excellent asset. Along with the play park areas there is ample seating and the modern pavilion for meeting people in bad weather.

The range of facilities and the setting of the park make it noteworthy with local people likely to take pride in it. Being open the park has good natural surveillance and lighting around the pavilion and emergency helicopter landing area. Routes through the park can be taken to the Pavilion and sports facilities and could provide a detour for those walking to sites on either side of the park.

From an interpretation point of view a small viewpoint has been erected by the Cardwell Bay and Greenock West Community Council in 2008 with a metal plaque that names the hills to be seen across the river on the Argyll shore.

However, although well-intentioned the plaque is difficult to read. However, there may be scope for a replacement panel using the same stone plinth to be produced in partnership with the Community Council.

See Section Four (4.6) for further interpretation suggestions for the Battery Park.

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Photos 2.7 and 2.8: Viewpoint erected by the Cardwell Bay and Greenock West Community Council in Battery Park in 2008. A metal plaque shows the names of the hills to be seen across the river on the Argyll shore. Although well-intentioned the plaque is small and difficult to read. However, there may be scope for a replacement panel using the same stone plinth to be produced in partnership with the Community Council. Section Four (4.6) suggests some ideas for developing interpretation in Battery Park.

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Greenock Cemetery - Site Description This site is described in the Inverclyde Green Network Study as a large site located on the southern slope of Lyle Hill. It can be accessed from Forsyth Street, Inverkip Street and Bow Road. The sit has a number of wide tarmac paths which allow cars and maintenance vehicles through the site.

The site is located close to housing and is accessible but at the same time it remains enclosed and quiet. The wide paths make it easy to get around the site and allows visitors to wander round and explore. Access for disabled people would be difficult due to the steepness of some of the paths.

However, the site can be accessed by car or motorised scooter.

The site is attractive in that it is quiet with diverse planting. Facilities that are provided (such as bins and benches) are in good condition and the maintenance is of a high standard, grass is cut and the tombstones appear well looked after. However, the cemetery is an old site and as a result maintenance is an on-going concern.

The cemetery is of a sufficient size to contribute to local biodiversity and to support wildlife populations particularly woodland animals and birds. The cemetery is a significant part of the landscape, covering a large part of the southern slope of Lyle Hill. The site is a particularly important resource as it is unlikely to change in any major way.

Although the site is enclosed, which affects the natural surveillance, it still feels safe with the wide paths opening up the site. There was little evidence of anti-social behaviour and it is suspected that the current practice of locking the site at night helps to ensure this. In general, the site appears well cared for and scored highly in the ‘Criteria for Quality Assessment’ table in the Green Network Study.

The site provides an important role for Greenock with the history of the site and the physical characteristics of the site contributing positively to the sense of place. This has been recognised with the production of a walks leaflet which is described in the next paragraph.

Greenock Cemetery - Walks Leaflet The walks leaflet is a very attractive publication produced by a partnership of Inverclyde Council, East End Advisory and the Inverclyde Tourist Group.

The leaflet highlights two routes and guides visitors past a series of graves giving well-researched and interesting information on the people buried. The guide also gives details of particular things to watch out for on the tombstones and explains the relevance of carved symbols.

There are however some issues over the design of the leaflet that could be improved for future leaflets particularly colour contrast between text and background colour and text being difficult to read against ‘watermark’ symbols.

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Lyle Hill This site is also described in the Inverclyde Green Network Study as a ‘regionally important location’ and the following is a combination of this description and additional interpretation related details.

Lyle Hill (or Craigs Top as marked on some maps) is a prominent landmark that sits above the boundary of Greenock and Gourock. There is a viewpoint which looks across the River Clyde to the Argyll hills to the north and west.

The main feature of the site is the striking memorial (the Cross of Lorraine) to the sailors of France particularly those who were killed in when the ship Marie Breze blew up. This story has a link with Greenock Cemetery as the dead from this disaster were buried there until 1946 when the bodies were returned to France.

Vehicle and other access to the site is via a steep road and there is off-road parking. However, access to the site for cyclists and walkers is difficult. The site is not accessible for disabled users due to the slope and raised pavement from the car park with no sloped access.

The site is attractive in that it offers good views and the memorial is very impressive, it also appeared well used. However, the facilities (viewpoint indicator, benches, public art) appeared dated and in need of better maintenance.

Natural surveillance is difficult from afar but if passing by car the site is quite open. However, there is no lighting and the site is a known meeting point for ‘boy racers’.

The site and the hill form a very important part of the landscape setting and structure with the scrub slope below the car park being of significance for biodiversity as an area of ‘semi-natural green space’. During survey work for this report several species of small bird were either seen or heard at this site along with a hunting kestrel. A more detailed biological survey is likely to reveal further biodiversity interest.

Although the view from the car parking area is very good, the view from Craigs Top itself, on the other side of the road, is even better. Along with an official trig point there are also a number of structures from previous viewpoint indicators including a metal structure that may have been a clock with a date of 1897 so is likely to be of historical interest. The restoration of this would make a good community project. A rationalisation of these structures and better visitor orientation and site interpretation would give added value to the site and make this location ‘work’ much better.

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Photo 2.9 (above): The steep approach to the top of Lyle Hill with the Cross of Lorraine on the left. Note cars in parking bays. The only information/ interpretation at this important Inverclyde site is a metal viewpoint indicator.

Photo 2.10 (left): Although the view from the car parking area is very good, the view from Craigs Top itself, on the other side of the road, is even better.

Along with an official trig point there are also the remains of view indicators including a metal structure that may have been a clock with a date of 1897. The restoration of this would make a good community project. A rationalisation of these structures and better visitor orientation and site interpretation would give added value to the site and make this location ‘work’ much better. See Section Four (4.6) for further details.

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Sites related to Gourock Remarkably, there was very little on-site interpretation found in Gourock apart from some low key historical pictures mounted on the well at Gourock Pierhead. Interpretive proposals relating to Gourock can be found in Section Four (4.6).

Sites related to Inverkip The only known interpretation around Inverkip was at Ardgowan Estate.

Ardgowan, a late 18th century country house, is set in a 400 acre estate of farmland and mixed woodland. The grounds stretch down to the coast where they are bordered by the path that runs from the Kip Marina to the northern end of Lunderston Bay. Ardgowan is famous for its snowdrops and has run very successful ‘Snowdrop Walks’ in aid of local charities. However, the 2010 walk was cancelled.

A network of paths runs through the estate that the public are welcome to enjoy. However, there are reasonable restrictions to access to maintain the privacy of residents and guests of the house as per the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

The Estate installed three interpretive/information panels at various points around the estate. Only one has survived probably due its close proximity to the house.

The Estate would be happy to work with other partners in developing outdoor activities around the Estate and to join with further agreed, interpretive provision.

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Sites related to Wemyss Bay Wemyss Bay Pier The book ‘A Sea Road to Rothesay’ by Ian McCrorie gives a detailed and highly pictorial account of the history of the Wemyss Bay to Rothsay route.

This is one of the busiest crossings operated by Caledonian MacBrayne with about 770.000 passengers and 160,000 cars being carried in 2007. This helps to make Wemyss Bay an important point to introduce visitors to the story of Inverclyde.

There are some existing interpretation and orientation panels as follows: ScotRail had provided two panels, one with information on station facilities and the other with onward travel information which gave a useful map of Wemyss Bay. One panel which was installed as part of ‘The Renfrewshire Villages’ series in the early/mid 1990’s which described Wemyss Bay and its development as a ferry terminal. This panel is now very dated in content and style.

A further four panels described in some detail major repairs to the station roof that were carried out in 1993/94. Unfortunately many of the photographs are faded. A revision and combination of these panels using a better printing process would be a useful project in partnership with the Friends of Wemyss Bay Station.

The Friends of Wemyss Bay Station is a group of volunteers with a keen interest and admiration for Wemyss Bay Station and all it represents, in the past and present time. The group are anxious to see it prosper and continue to play a vital role in their community.

As part of First ScotRail’s ‘Adopt A Station’ scheme the group has been given the use of empty accommodation at the Station to use as a small heritage centre. The Friends have collected photographs and historical artefacts of the Station in its Edwardian prime for display.

The group also operates a busy second hand book shop staffed by volunteers who often help visitors with information about the station and local area.

Interestingly, the shop is used just as much by local people as people waiting for trains or ferries or visitors from the nearby holiday park.

The group has plans to invite speakers to talk about the history of Wemyss Bay and its Station and Pier, about the trains which carried huge crowds on their way to Bute for holidays, and the ships which ferried them across the Clyde.

The Friends would also like to bring about a ‘re-flowering’ of the Station, as a reminder of the days when it was famous for its displays of potted plants and hanging baskets.

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One of the Friends major achievements to date has been the publication of a quality booklet tracing the history of Wemyss Bay Station from its construction in 1903. The booklet was produced jointly by the Friends and the Caledonian Railway Association.

Although those travelling by train or ferry can gather information and benefit from interpretation about Weymss Bay at the station there is no provision for those using the busy A78. There is also little to say that visitors are now in Inverclyde. Although there is scope for a ‘Welcome to Inverclyde’ type panel in the station/pier area and leaflet distribution from the Friends bookshop improving the provision for those travelling on the A78 will be difficult. The area around the station entrance is constrained by position of the village’s war memorial, bus shelter and various street furniture. This area is also busy with ferry traffic, taxis, and delivery vehicles. At present there is no convenient or safe stopping area. However, some form of welcome/ orientation/ interpretation point should be considered if not at Wemyss Bay then as soon as possible on the north side of the A78. At Inverkip Point is a possibility as there is already a good parking area, toilets, picnic benches and fine views at this site.

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Photo 2.11 (above): Wemyss Bay Station and Pier is an important point to introduce visitors to Inverclyde. About 770,000 passengers used to ferry link to Rothsay in 2007.

Photo 2.12 (left): A further four panels described in some detail major repairs to the station roof that were carried out in 1993/94. Unfortunately many of the photographs are faded as seen in this example, Oct 2009. A revision and combination of these panels using a better printing process would be a useful project in partnership with the Friends of Wemyss Bay Station.

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Sites related to Kilmacolm Kilmacolm Village There is a panel in ‘The Renfrewshire Villages’ series (similar to the one at Wemyss Bay Pier) mounted on two metal posts outside the Village Centre building which gives the history of the village including the Hydropathic Hotel, its associations with the famous architects Charles Rennie Mackintosh, William Leiper and James Salmon. The panel also had a basic map of the road layout around the village. The panel had obviously been installed for some time as the lower half had mould growing on it and many of the photographs were badly faded.

Also in the centre of the village is an ornate stone well with the inscription; ‘Presented by Sir Michael Shaw Stewart Bart in commemoration of the opening of the Kilmacolm Water Works, 15 Aug 1878’. There is an opportunity to link this well via interpretation with Knapps Loch and/or other wells recorded during this survey in Inverclyde.

Kilmacolm, disused railway (NCN 75) Kilmacolm is roughly the halfway point on the 20 mile Paisley and Clyde Coast Railway Path which is promoted by Sustrans. However, for the purposes of this survey the route is described from the Inverclyde (Clyde Coast) end. This route starts at McInroy’s Point from where ferries sail to and arrive from Dunoon, a gateway to the Argyll area of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. The path follows the coast through Gourock and the railway station and ferry terminal to Greenock where it starts to climb towards the hills behind Port Glasgow. From Port Glasgow it joins the trackbed of the disused railway line to Kilmacolm.

Just before the route enters Kilmacolm, hidden behind bushes on a small path off Whitlea Court, there is a plinth made from red sandstone with a dressed sandstone block bearing the date 1811. Unfortunately, the significance of this has not been found during research for this report.

The main access points onto the path in the Kilmacolm area are at Whitelea, the centre of Kilmacolm at the former railway station. Gryffe Road, Knapps and Quarriers.

The former station yard at Station Road is the main access point onto the path which is now the car park for the Pullman Tavern. The area can be very busy particularly at weekends. There is an interpretation panel entitled ‘railway path heritage trail’ with information about Kilmacolm and the railway. The panel has a (faded) photograph of the old station when it was in use and a not very helpful map of too large a scale. A more local map would be much more useful. Contrast between text and background colour is poor and in general the panel is not well designed and certainly does not conform with current good practice or DDA guidance. This is disappointing as the route is highlighted as being suitable for people with disabilities.

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There is also a series of standard Sustrans signs highlighting the need for cyclists to slow down and give way and requesting that people ‘clean up after their dog’. A Further sign is very faded and difficult to read but looked like it was one of the original Sustrans signs designed in the mid 1980’s. It is probably non-SOAC compliant.

All of the above are mounted on old railway sleepers which help to retain a ‘sense of place’ in terms of railway heritage.

There are also cycle racks which allow cyclists to leave bikes and visit local shops and pubs and generally explore the village.

A set of ornate metal railings at the start of this section also act as a chicane to slow down cyclists entering and leaving the village.

The route from Kilmacolm to the Inverclyde boundary has further interpretation and public art. This section of path appeared to be well used by a variety of user types.

From the Inverclyde boundary just to the east of Quarriers Village the path continues on the disused railway route to Bridge of Weir and then on to Johnstone where it follows the same route as National Cycle Network Route 7 until Paisley Canal Railway Station, the end of the path.

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Photo 2.13 (above): Panel in ‘The Renfrewshire Villages’ series (similar to the one at Wemyss Bay Pier) which gives the history of Kilmacolm. The panel also had a basic map of the road layout around the village. The panel had obviously been installed for some time as the lower half had mould growing on it and many of the photographs were badly faded (Oct 2009).

Photo 2.14 (left): Panel entitled ‘railway path heritage trail’ with information about Kilmacolm and the railway.

The panel has a (faded) photograph of the old station when it was in use and a not very helpful map. Contrast between text and background colour is poor and the panel certainly does not conform with current good practice or DDA guidance. This is disappointing as the route is highlighted as being suitable for people with disabilities.

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Sites relating to the rural Inverclyde area The only interpretation found within the wider rural Inverclyde area was that contained within the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park centre at Cornaless Bridge which has already been described in this section. Proposals relating to rural Inverclyde can be found in Section Four (4.6).

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Other Inverclyde-wide interpretation Short Circuit Walks in Inverclyde – 12 Walks to help you discover Inverclyde The postcards were designed in 2008/09 by students at James Watt College, Greenock. This project was part of their coursework and represented a ‘true life’ design task for the students whilst helping to emphasise the value of the local environments in Inverclyde.

A key objective of the project was to encourage people to take exercise by walking and was a partnership project between Lower Clyde Greenspace, Paths to Health and Inverclyde Council’s Cleaner, Greener, Safer and Stronger Initiative.

The postcards featured the following short, circular walks: • • • • • • • • • • • •

Kelburn and Parklea Walk Port Glasgow Walkway The Waterfront – Custom House to McLean Museum, Greenock Greenock Cemetery Murdieston Dams The Battery Park Gourock Park Coves Reservoir Kip Marina – Daff Glen and Kip Marina Wemyss Bay Woodland Knapps Loch, Kilmacolm Quarriers Village, Kilmacolm

Along with the route postcards, a further postcard with a series of questions gave the opportunity for users to feedback to Inverclyde Council’s Outdoor Access Officer. However, feedback was limited.

Overall, the pack is a very good effort at showing some of the varied places of interest within Inverclyde with those featuring artwork particularly attractive.

However, should the postcards be reprinted or a second series produced then these should try to cover some of the gaps mentioned in this section or in Section Four.

Past, Present and Future Project DVD The Past, Present and Future project DVD related to the heritage of Inverclyde. A group of older and younger members of the community worked with the BBC to produce a documentary style film on Inverclyde’s waterfront area which was once the lifeblood of Inverclyde and many people, families and communities survived through the industries on the riverbanks.

Through intergenerational collaboration, the resources and skills to research, investigate and exhibit this history will allow fact and fiction to be archived for generations to come, and will encourage young people to develop an awareness of their rich and proud heritage. The DVD also highlighted the Inverclyde Interpretive Strategy – FINAL REPORT November 2010

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regeneration work underway and the aspiration of Riverside Inverclyde and partners to bring the waterfront area back to life again.

Partners in the project were Inverclyde Council (Libraries) for researching archives and James Watt College (film-making SVQs to enable the young people to enhance their opportunities to gain access to employment or further education).

Through carrying out this project, a new set of group skills for working with a mixed age group was developed. Management of the project, including child protection issues, had to be well planned in advance. Workshops on safety were offered to all those involved in the project. It was important that staff were experienced in working with both groups as the language and understanding of culture between older and younger generations can occasionally cause problems.

The project brought a number of benefits: • • • •

bringing communities together; bringing down barriers which can lead to isolation and exclusion for generations; the acquisition of new skills, such as computing, media skills, research and communication; the opportunity for older people to pass on their wide array of knowledge and skills to other generations.

The project was organised and delivered by the Heritage Project and funded

by Heritage Lottery.

The Young Roots Project also secured funding to produce an animated film on the Heritage of the Shipyards in Inverclyde.

Other interesting projects carried out by the group include a book on Port Glasgow – From Newark to Newark – a people’s history of Port Glasgow.

This has been a complete sell-out but its 100 pages of text and pictures can be viewed on the Past, Present and Future’s group website at www.trustregeneration.org.uk.

There is also a DVD produced by students at James Watt College and 7½ John Wood Street Group which was being shown at the Waterfront Leisure Centre. Further educational DVDs should be produced particularly to act as a record of the regeneration transition and to record events such as the Tall Ships race. Such a project could attract sponsorship from an educational or historical trust or commercial sponsor.

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Walkabout Inverclyde Leaflet This attractive leaflet was updated and reprinted in 2008 by Inverclyde Council. Unfortunately, it also has similar design faults in terms of design and colour contrast as the Cemetery Walks Leaflet. However, it does have a very useful ‘umbrella’ function in giving an overview of the historical and natural interest of the area.

Many of the sites mentioned in the leaflet have also been identified in this strategy as sites where interpretive improvements could be made. There is therefore good scope for further ‘joined up thinking’ with suggested proposals being put in place at sites which visitors are directed to by the Walkabout Inverclyde leaflet.

The leaflet could only give a broad summary of the various sub-areas of Inverclyde. However, further information such as site maps and interpretation of the sites could then be given on panels or supplementary leaflets.

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2.2

Inventory of other relevant interpretation close to Inverclyde

To help put any future interpretation in a wider context and to ensure a complementary ‘fit’ with what provision was currently available a number of other facilities/ initiatives were visited or researched via websites and telephone. Where possible we consulted with the appropriate curators and education officers to find out if there were any planned developments that might have a bearing on the Inverclyde Strategy. This was particularly important with maritime heritage given the number of attractions in the upper Clyde area. Particularly relevant or useful findings are listed under the appropriate attraction as ‘Examples of Good Practice’.

Scottish Maritime Museum This museum is made up of three very well known attractions at Braehead, Dumbarton and Irvine. Although under the overall umbrella of the Scottish Maritime Museum with the strapline ‘Sea it all!’ each of these centres has its own particularly identity and focuses on specific aspects of shipping and maritime history. Clydebuilt is of particularly high quality with a five-star rating from VisitScotland.

Examples of Good Practice • All three attractions emphasise the ‘hands on’ interactive aspects of their displays.

• All of the sites are easily accessible by private or public transport.

Paisley Museum There was little on display or in this museums collection that had links with Inverclyde. However, as the museum is base for the Renfrewshire Biological Records Centre there may be scope for future collaboration over natural history interpretation in conjunction with (say) Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, McLean Museum and the Renfrewshire LBAP. Example of Good Practice • A large street map formed a floor covering which showed how Paisley had changed since the demise of the town’s cotton industry. A series of maps of the waterfront area would graphically illustrate how Inverclyde has changed. See Inverclyde Waterfront Trail suggestion in Section Four (4.6).

Museum of Transport, Glasgow The Museum of Transport had a large collection of ship models and artefacts that told the story of shipbuilding on the Clyde. Many of the models that were on display were of ships built at Gourock, Greenock and Port Glasgow.

A large wall panel showed ‘Where were the yards?’ and listed an impressive number of ex-yards that once thrived in Inverclyde.

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Riverside Museum. Following her own refurbishment the Glenlee (also see below) will be moved from her existing berth to a new berth beside the museum giving a fantastic opportunity to join up the two attractions. The Riverside Museum will open in April 2011 with about twice the space and number of exhibits.

Example of Good Practice • Similar lesson to the one from Paisley Museum of illustrating the large number of yards and related industry that once thrived in Inverclyde.

However, the current regeneration work should also be highlighted as positive current chapter to the story.

Glenlee, Glasgow Harbour Built at Port Glasgow in 1896 by Anderson Rodger and Company, the Glenlee was one of the last sailing ships to be built in the Clyde shipyards. Glenlee is one of only five Clyde built sailing ships still afloat anywhere in the world and the only one in the British Isles. The Glenlee first worked as a cargo ship and then as a Spanish Navy training ship. In 1992 the Spanish Navy sold Glenlee to the Clyde Maritime Trust when she was found laid up in Spain. The vessel was then restored by the Trust from 1993 and brought back up the Clyde to Glasgow.

The Tall ship at Glasgow Harbour was opened to the public in 1999 as an independent museum committed to the preservation and interpretation of the Glenlee and the maritime history of the area. The organisation produces an annual events programme and acts as an educational and training resource and encourages community involvement at all levels. Examples from the 2009/2010 programme include: • • • • •

A multimedia learning pack - The Glenlee Experience, developed in line with A Curriculum for Excellence Custumed Interpretation - which allows visitors to step back in time to 1913 to meet the ships crew Guided Tours – topics include ‘A Sailor’s Life for Me’, ‘Learning the Ropes’ and ‘Setting Sail’ Summer Pirate School Maritime Songs and Music

Glenlee will close to the public in Autumn 2010 when she will be towed down to drydock in Gourock. Whilst in drydock, a new green heating system will be installed, a new lift will be fitted and the onboard restoration will be completed.

She will re-open to the public at her new berth alongside the new Riverside Museum (see above) in Spring 2011.

Example of Good Practice • Several of the above attractions have combined together in order to give a more complete interpretive story with likely financial and other efficiencies. Contact should be made with the Clyde Maritime Trust to discuss a possible joint exhibition and other forms of partnership working whilst the Glenlee is in Port Glasgow.

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Photo 2.15: Large scale map panel in old Glasgow Museum of Transport before it closed in April 2010 clearly showing the important concentration of shipyards that once flourished along the Inverclyde waterfront.

Photo 2.16: Interpretation panels in place at the sailing ship Glenlee’s old berth at Glasgow Harbour, Oct 2009.

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The Royal Yacht, Britannia, Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh Billed as ‘Scotland’s best visitor attraction’ the Britannia marketing leaflet also claims it is a ‘must-see’ attraction when visiting Edinburgh. However, there was little in terms of interpretation with the audio guide providing most of the interesting stories behind the historical information and actual artefacts. The audio guide is available in 21 languages and is a reflection on the attractions close associations with Edinburgh particularly at the busy ‘festival time’ when the city attracts many visitors from all over the world. There is also a ‘junior tour aimed at children under ten. However, this is currently only available in English.

The visitor centre in Ocean Terminal prepares visitors before they step on board for a glimpse into the life of the Royal Family and the crew of Royal Yachtsmen.

Examples of Good Practice • Although not purely an ‘interpretive lesson’ The Royal Yacht, Britannia benefits from a comprehensive marketing strategy. Once fully developed the waterfront area and associated maritime heritage could also be billed as a ‘must see’ particularly to Visitors arriving via Glasgow and Prestwick Airports.

• The Commonwealth Games to be held in 2014 will also provide a major economic opportunity. It will therefore be important to have marketing material produced well in advance (say end of 2011) and to have high quality interpretation in place on the ground.

Titan Crane, Clydebank Not to be outdone this attraction claims to be ‘Scotland’s most unique attraction’ the Titan Crane is open from May to October and offers very unusual views of the Clydebank riverfront. The associated exhibition tells the story of Clydebank’s shipbuilding past with a graphic timeline that stretches from 1871 when shipyards were first developed at Clydebank through to 2007 when the crane opened as a visitor attraction.

Clydebank (population 44,000) is a town with a proud past and has many similarities to Greenock and Port Glasgow. It was world famous for a century for building ships at John Browns and manufacturing sewing machines for Singers. For over fifty years from 1910 the world’s biggest liners and battleships were built on the River Clyde at Clydebank. The success of John Brown’s as a world leading shipyard, was attributable, in part, to the sheer lifting capacity of the Titan which was increased from the original 150 tons to 200 tons in 1938 to help cope with loads of heavy armour required for large battleships such as the Duke of York.

Clydebank re-built, one of Scotland’s first urban regeneration companies, was set up in 2002 to help redevelop the town for the 21st century, following the closures of the shipyard and Singers some years earlier. A key focus of the regeneration is maximising the town’s location on the River Clyde and the Forth and Clyde Canal which passes the town’s shopping centre.

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In 2004 Clydebank re-built took ownership of around ten acres of the former John Brown’s site, including the Titan Crane.

Following consultation with the Clydebank community, the decision was taken to not only restore the Crane to it’s former state but to open it up to the public as a visitor and heritage attraction.

Awarded a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund in February 2009, the Titan appointed a Heritage Officer dedicated to developing a new and interactive outreach programme for schools and community groups.

Created with the curriculum for Excellence in mind, the free Titan Education Resource Pack is relevant to current educational needs and designed for use in any classroom.

As well as leading guided tours of the Titan, the Heritage Officer is available to host workshops ‘off-site’ at schools or other venues. Workshop themes offered include: • • • •

Shipbuilding particularly John Brown’s Yard World War Two Clydebank Past, Present and Future Urban Regeneration

A key part of the Titan philosophy is highlighting the crane as a symbol of ‘a proud industrial heritage that is known worldwide’. In order to bring the history of the area alive, the education and outreach programme relies on the active participation of people who used to work and live in Clydebank and also those who want to know about what the area used to be like. This strong partnership approach is summed up in another point of the Titan approach ‘It’s your Titan; help us make the most of it.

As part of the 2010 season Clydebank re-built has introduced guided walking tours of the Crane and the site. These tours give more detailed information about the site and the vessels built there.

The Titan Crane also has an excellent website www.titanclydebank.com.

Examples of Good Practice • Could a similar initiative be established in Inverclyde using the crane at the James Watt Dock/ Sugar House?

• As well as looking to the past this initiative is also keen to promote the present and future urban regeneration.

• Using the crane as Clydebank has done as ‘a symbol of a proud industrial heritage that is known worldwide’ should continue. The Christmas Greetings banner received many positive comments from the local community.

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Clyde Heritage Guide from Glasgow Green to Dumbarton This handy guide, produced in March 2009 by the Clyde Waterfront Partnership is designed to help people explore the Clyde’s heritage on foot, cycling, driving or taking a train, bus or boat. The guide highlights twelve subareas to explore and gives information and a location map. The guide also includes travel information, opening hours of attractions, web links and a foldout map. The guide directs those wishing to find out more to www.clydewaterfrontheritage.com and is a good example of joining up places of interest to give a greater package of things to see and do for local people and visitors.

Example of Good Practice • Put simply ‘the whole is greater than the sum of the parts’. A similar guide should be produced that includes Inverclyde Heritage. It should use the same ‘corporate’ style as other leaflets, panels and exhibitions.

The key idea would be to encourage use of the area as a destination by visitors and to encourage residents to discover more about what is available to them locally. See Inverclyde Heritage Trail proposal in Section Four (4.6).

2.3

Inventory of other relevant interpretation away from Inverclyde

A small number of other maritime museums with a geographical focus were briefly researched via websites. These included: National Maritime Museum, Cornwall This museum features a diverse collection of approximately 140 small craft from Great Britain and overseas and spans the past 150 years.

Example of Good Practice • Although the larger liners and battleships tend to get most attention smaller craft also have their place. There is greater scope for events and festivals based around smaller craft. For example, the annual Scottish Traditional Boat Festival at PortSoy in Banff attracted over 100 boats in 2010 with 10 -15,000 visitors every day of the four-day event.

Merseyside Maritime Museum Part of the National Museums Liverpool Group based in the Albert Dock on the banks of the River Mersey. The maritime history of the Mersey is very similar to that of the Clyde. For example, temporary exhibitions in 2010 included ‘Seized! The Border and Customs agencies uncovered’. Other exhibitions included ‘Liverpool – Gateway to the World’, ‘Battle of the Atlantic’ and ‘Emigration’. All of these topics relevant to Inverclyde.

Example of Good Practice • Although it is not recommended that a full-scale maritime museum be established in Inverclyde there may be scope for a series of temporary exhibitions using existing buildings such as the Customs House or creating space in new buildings or extensions to other buildings.

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National Waterfront Museum/ National Museum of Wales, Swansea This relatively new museum is given as example of what has happened in Wales. The description is taken directly from the museum’s website.

‘The National Waterfront Museum at Swansea tells the story of industry and innovation in Wales, now and over the last 300 years.

Our vast industrial and maritime heritage is ready to explore via cutting-edge, interactive technology married with traditional displays. It means a unique, captivating and involved visitor experience lies in wait at Wales’s newest national museum.

The Industrial Revolution in Wales had a tremendous effect on People, Communities and Lives as well as that of the rest of the World. Visitors can soak up the history with a breathtaking mix of old and new in the city’s rapidly developing maritime quarter.

The National Waterfront Museum is housed in spectacular fashion, in an original and listed waterfront warehouse linked to a new, ultra-modern slate and glass building. Here you can discover the Transport, Materials and Networks that were so important and the ‘big things’ that contributed so much to the industrial history of our nation. Then look into the future in the Frontiers gallery.

The National Waterfront Museum puts you in charge of the experience, allowing you to delve as deeply into the exhibitions, displays and information as you want. Visit us and lose yourself in the rich and enthralling history of Welsh industry and innovation, where the technology of today puts the past at your fingertips.

The National Waterfront Museum is housed in a magnificent building that elegantly combines old and new architecture. A Grade II listed former dockside warehouse (formerly the Swansea Industrial & Maritime Museum) built in 1902, contrasts with a spectacular new glass and slate structure designed exactly a century later, by Stirling Prize-winning architects Wilkinson Eyre.

Opened in 2005, it represents one of Amgueddfa Cymru — National Museum Wales's biggest, most ambitious projects, costing over £35m. It was developed in partnership with the City & County of Swansea, and made possible by an £11 million Heritage Lottery Fund grant.

Recognised by the UK Regeneration Awards as the best design-led regeneration project, the National Waterfront Museum has also received awards from the Royal Institute for British Architects and the Civic Trust.’

Examples of Good Practice • Although tempting to consider a similar prestigious project such an investment of capital money plus ongoing revenue costs would bring a great burden to Inverclyde partners.

• It is interesting that the description highlights the emphasis on visitors just as much as the exhibits.

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• •

Let the Riverside Museum in Glasgow take on the role of a museum of this scale.

Compliment existing visitor attractions by interpretation in Inverclyde that is ‘where it’s at’ in terms of the actual location of maritime history.

A lot can be achieved by integrated, quality interpretation costing a lot less than a ‘state of the art’ museum. See the many proposals in Section Four (4.6) for further details.

BBC ‘Timewatch’ documentary The BBC have produced a very relevant programme as part of their ‘Timewatch’ series entitled ‘The Men Who Made The Liners’. This was based around the rise and fall of the shipyards around Clydebank particularly John Browns. It also highlights opportunities to preserve, where possible, elements of maritime heritage during regeneration projects.

Examples of Good Practice • There is a huge interest in maritime heritage from locals and visitors.

The production of a similar DVD focusing on Inverclyde is likely to prove very popular with locals and visitors. The 300th anniversary of Scotts could be the catalyst for such a production. The inclusion of footage of the cruise ship terminal bringing the story up to date would also give greater appeal to cruise ship passengers, a likely important market.

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Section Three Inverclyde Interpretation Strategy -

Volcanoes, Water and Girders…

3.1

Introduction

Inverclyde has an outstanding heritage of maritime history along with a surprising variety of important natural habitats. Interpretive exhibitions have been developed at visitor attractions such Mclean Museum and Cornalees Bridge. A number of on-site interpretive panels have also been installed along with the production of information/interpretive leaflets.

However, to date, this has been done in a rather ad-hoc manner. Therefore, the full potential of integrated, quality interpretation is still to be realised and the potential to help deliver regeneration, social, economic and environmental benefits maximised.

This Interpretive Strategy will enable those involved with interpreting Inverclyde sites and stories to adopt a more integrated approach and will result in residents and visitors enjoying a more complete experience of the area’s cultural and natural heritage.

Scottish Natural Heritage gives twelve good practice guidelines in their publication ‘Provoke, Relate, Reveal’. These are listed below: 1. The scale and design of interpretive provision should be appropriate to its location, story and message.

2. Interpretive provision should, where practical, provide for universal accessibility.

3. Entertainment and information are equally important in communicating a message.

4. Visitors enjoy making discoveries for themselves, so there is no need to interpret everything.

5. The best form of interpretation is achieved through face to face interaction with a specialist interpreter or skilled enthusiasts.

6. Visitors absorb a message better as part of a story, rather than as a series of disjointed statements and images. Each story should have an overall theme which can be stated as a complete sentence.

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7. Presentations should be highly visual and encourage interaction.

People remember 10% of what they hear, 30% of what they read, 50% of what they see, and 90% of what they do.

8. Interpretative programmes should be geared to specific age and interest groups.

9. To understand the parts, visitors must first see the whole.

10. Language should be used sparingly and jargon or technical terms avoided.

11. People learn best if a variety of media are appropriately used, appealing to as many of the senses as possible.

12. Emotional or sensory experiences live longest in the memory.

The next section gives outline suggestions of how these guidelines can be used in an Inverclyde context.

3.1.2 Good practice principles for Interpreting Inverclyde This section is built around outline suggestions of how these good practice guidelines can be practically applied to future interpretation in Inverclyde. By following these principles future interpretation within Inverclyde will be more complementary in terms of approach. These guidelines have also been used when compiling the mini interpretation briefs listed in Section Four.

Two additional principles on ‘joint working’ with other strategies and nonInverclyde providers of interpretation have also been devised.

1. The scale and design of interpretive provision should be appropriate to its location, story and message.

For example, avoid spoiling a view with a large panel. A series of smaller, more discrete panels may work better both in terms of visual impact and to tell short ‘chapters’ of a story. For example, at points of interest along the Waterfront or Greenock Cut. In some locations with a history of vandalism, smaller panels would also be less expensive and easier to replace. Where vandalism is particularly bad or siting of panels difficult then a leaflet might be the best option.

2. Interpretive provision should, where practical, provide for universal accessibility.

For example, think about interpretation in places that people can get to easily without relying on a car. For example, shopping/town centres, the Waterfront Complex, bus and railway stations. This is particularly appropriate for Inverclyde with a higher than average number of households without access

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to a car. It will also be important to ensure that provision that is well designed for partially sighted people and those with mobility difficulties.

3. Entertainment and information are equally important in communicating a message.

One way of doing this is via ‘living history’ at events such as The Comet Festival and visits from Tall Ships. Other possibilities include historical characters meeting and greeting visitors from cruise liners, dressing up days and plays in schools and at the McLean Museum. The McLean Museum and sites of former shipyards might also be venues for reminisces from former shipyard workers and characters from earlier times of sail as part of the 300th anniversary celebrations of Scott’s Shipbuilding Company.

4. Visitors enjoy making discoveries for themselves, so there is no need to interpret everything.

Self-guided trail leaflet ‘Discover Inverclyde’ to give tasters, orientation and direction. This could also include relevant attractions such as Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, the McLean Museum, The Waterfront and the areas villages.

5. The best form of interpretation is achieved through face to face interaction with a specialist interpreter or skilled enthusiasts.

This links closely with principle four. The ‘Friends of Wemyss Bay Station’ group is a great example of a group of ‘skilled enthusiasts’. There may be scope for links with other existing groups such as the Greenock and District Model Railway Club who put on a very successful exhibition, attracting over 1,200 visitors every November in Greenock Town Hall. During site research work at Coves Reservoir it was discovered that most users were local regulars who walked in the area at least two or three times a week.

There may be scope for a self-sufficient ‘Friends of Coves Reservoir’ group who could help to tell visitors about the site. However, an important part of interpretation should also be to give a sense of place for local people. In this way interpretation can help meet several community and social objectives of public and private organisations and agencies and the communities themselves particularly those in keeping with the ‘Stronger, Safer Inverclyde’ initiative.

6. Visitors absorb a message better as part of a story, rather than as a series of disjointed statements and images. Each story should have an overall theme which can be stated as a complete sentence.

It will be important for the agreed themes contained within this strategy to be remembered when producing interpretation in Inverclyde. This will require greater co-ordination, management and control. We would strongly recommend that all proposals for interpretation in Inverclyde be agreed by a Steering Group and/or sub-group of an existing forum. The final say should be made by a nominated person with suitable skills and experience.

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Messages should be part of a hierarchy of interpretation starting with Inverclyde-wide themes such as the formation of the raw landscape by volcanic and glacial activity. The next part of the story might be how the flatter, coastal strip was developed using water from the hills and taking advantage of being close to the river to import raw materials and export finished goods. The next part of the story might focus on a particular area such as Port Glasgow and then to a specific shipyard and then to a ship that was built there and then to an individual worker.

7. Presentations should be highly visual and encourage interaction.

People remember 10% of what they hear, 30% of what they read, 50% of what they see, and 90% of what they do.

Close link with principle three. Initial ideas for the general public include: • • •

Being instructed in the use of measuring instruments by an ‘excise man’ at Custom House museum.

Finding out how a ‘slide rule’ worked in the drawing office of a Port Glasgow shipyard Estimating the number in a flock of redshank off Parklea or Eider duck off Lunderston Bay or duck at Coves Reservoirs or Murdieston Dams.

Other forms of interaction where there are greater health and safety issues would have to be done under more controlled conditions but ideas worth exploring include: • • •

Helping repair cultural heritage features such as stone and metal work around former industrial sites.

Helping with rural landscape tasks such as repair and reinstatement of hedgerows and drystone dykes around farms particularly those within the Regional Park.

Helping with actions required in the LBAP such as pond restoration and grassland management to encourage expansion of important plant and animal species.

Along with combining interpretation with practical action the above suggestions would also give participants health and well-being benefits in getting people active in the outdoors. This would, in turn, help to deliver strategic targets in the reduction of obesity and heart related illness.

However, it is recognised that voluntary input is limited and that some tasks will require specialist contractors and/or some form of skills training scheme or a combination of these. There is a tremendous scope for a transfer of skills in not just another ‘job-creation scheme’ but in a positive programme of benefits to the cultural and natural Inverclyde environment and for all the people involved.

8. Interpretative programmes should be geared to specific age and interest groups.

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For example the Trust Regeneration Group and Kilmacolm Civic Trust are particularly interested in the history of their ‘home areas’, promoting social responsibility and community pride.

However, there may be opportunities to involve other ‘non-converted’ groups to take an interest in their local area. For example, by encouraging staff and pupils from Gourock High School to ‘adopt’ the Tower Hill area. The project could include carrying out research and production of an insert for the ‘Gourock Times’ Community Newspaper. A leaflet could be produced as a ‘work experience’ project with distribution to visitors via the seasonal Tourist Information Centre at Gourock Pierhead.

Such examples would help deliver strategic community development objectives and provide an enhanced visitor experience at many sites.

9. To understand the parts, visitors must first see the whole.

This principle could be applied to: • • •

•

A leaflet giving the overall area of Inverclyde in a west of Scotland context.

The leaflet and/or other media (3D relief model?) to show how the riverside areas of Inverclyde are connected to the hills behind via various glens.

Another example could be the links and ‘connectivity’ between the series of anti-aircraft batteries that were strung out from Wemyss Bay to Port Glasgow on the hills behind the main towns and villages of Inverclyde. This topic would also give a much-needed link between the Inverclyde coast and the hills behind as by placing the AA guns on the hills they were able to better protect the important dock areas and ships at anchor.

A leaflet/booklet/other media to show how the key historical feature of Inverclyde (shipbuilding) was so significant in local, regional, Scottish, UK and world context.

This principle has close links to principle 6. Once visitors ‘first see the whole’ they can then gain a greater insight and understanding of ‘the parts’ via sitespecific interpretation.

10. Language should be used sparingly and jargon or technical terms avoided.

From discussion with consultees there was a previous suggestion of installing a series of small plaques along the river front which would briefly and simply tell of past events. This project could be looked at again with a view to completion.

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audience and so get key messages across (to give a greatly enhanced experience) to as many people as possible.

11. People learn best if a variety of media are appropriately used, appealing to as many of the senses as possible.

This principle has been touched on in some of the examples given to illustrate the principles already covered. However, along with more traditional media such as leaflets and panels which may still appeal to older people there is a great opportunity to use the growth in devices such as MP3 players and sophisticated mobile phones and GIS Sat Nav systems. For example, audio trails allow a great deal of information to be given, much more than could be fitted onto a traditional leaflet or panel. Audio trails also allow different voices and sounds to be included such as a marine quantity surveyor ordering parts for a ship or an excise man challenging the declaration of a dishonest skipper or the sound of a steam hammer or creaking of a sailing ship. New technology is likely to appeal to a younger generation who may not normally visit museums or visitor attractions. In this way Inverclyde’s fantastic heritage could be interpreted to a new generation with the resulting benefits of understanding, appreciation and greater willingness to look after it for the future.

The recent development of the Inverclyde Council and ‘Inverclyde Now’ websites and their links to the ‘Inverclyde Heritage Hub’ give great opportunities for people to find out about and contribute to an online forum and archive related to Inverclyde’s complex history.

12. Emotional or sensory experiences live longest in the memory.

Again, already covered in some of the points above. However, a key benefit of such experiences being remembered is the opportunity for memories to be recalled and passed on to members of families, friends and visitors. In this way community pride in Inverclyde’s heritage can be established and spread.

However, how noisy and hot was it working in the depths of a ship? Might there be some way of recreating what it was like to be all alone on top of a crane? For example, the Goliath crane at Port Glasgow. Farm visits?

Additional ‘joint-working’ principles 13. Interpretive projects should be seen as an effective way of delivering wider, strategic objectives.

The interpretation would link back and help deliver the overall aim of the Glsgow and Clyde Valley Green Network and specific recommendations from the Inverclyde Green Network Study. The interpretation could also be a vehicle to help deliver objectives such as improvements in health and wellbeing and community development along with enhancing regeneration and the experience of visitors and boosting tourism.

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14. Interpretive projects should compliment the efforts of neighbouring providers.

For example, links should be made with the Titan Crane at Clydebank, particularly with the remaining Inverclyde cranes at the Sugar House and Kingston. Another opportunity for joint working is with the SV Glenlee particularly when the ship is docked in Port Glasgow for overhaul in autumn 2010. Finally links should be made to the new Riverside Museum particularly where there are exhibits of relevance to Inverclyde. A possible existing vehicle for this is the group made up of museums from west of Scotland which includes the McLean Museum.

3.2 A Vision for Interpretation of Inverclyde The following Vision for the Green Network has already been established: ‘By 2025 the combination of its outstanding environment, high quality development and unrivalled location means that Inverclyde is widely recognised as an attractive place to live, work and spend leisure time. This is reflected in high levels of investment, a vibrant local economy and a growing population. Communities are actively involved in managing their environment; local people and visitors have a wide range of opportunities to experience and enjoy the area’s natural and cultural heritage.

The Green Network has been at the core of the area’s transformation, contributing to the regeneration of the Waterfront and the remodelling of residential areas, and forming key links within and between communities and with Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park. Development of the Green Network has delivered and continues to deliver a broad range of economic, community, health and environmental outcomes.’

As the Interpretation Strategy is seen as an early action from the wider Green Network it is important that a more specific vision for the Interpretation Strategy is suggested as follows: ‘It is the vision of the GCV Green Network Partnership to interpret to all residents and visitors using a variety of innovative and creative interpretive provision, the theme: ‘Without access to water, Inverclyde would not have developed into such an important industrial, agricultural and tourist area.’ and to facilitate an enjoyable and safe recreational learning experience for all, while instilling and demonstrating civic pride and regeneration in Inverclyde.’

3.2.1 Aims It is important to establish clear aims for interpretation particularly for such a major project as the Inverclyde Strategy. Interpretive aims guide the Inverclyde Interpretive Strategy – FINAL REPORT November 2010

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selection of material and the way it is presented. The four main aims for interpretation of Inverclyde are summarised as follows: • • •

•

To identify areas suitable for quality interpretation.

To provide details enabling future interpretation to be ‘lifted off the shelf’ as opportunities arise.

To identify key district-wide themes, which will help integrate interpretation in Inverclyde into a coherent framework.

To provide an evaluation of why interpretation is important to each of the project partners, and to provide a justification for a strategic approach to future interpretation within Inverclyde.

These aims also sit comfortably under the wider aims and recommendations of the Inverclyde Green Network Study.

3.2.2 Objectives for Interpretation Objectives are a way of stating what the interpretation is aiming to do. this gives a baseline against which to evaluate to check if they are being achieved, see part 7. It is, therefore recommended objectives used should be SMART, that is, specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timetabled.

There are three basic kinds of interpretation objectives which are: Learning objectives

What we want the visitor to learn and remember.

Behavioural objectives

What we want visitors to do.

Emotional objectives

How we want the visitor to feel.

Some suggested objectives could be: Learning objectives 50% of visitors will know that Inverclyde was in the top ten shipbuilding areas in Britain within two years of the Interpretive Strategy being adopted.

50% of visitors to all outdoor sites with interpretation will know that Inverclyde has a range of important cultural and natural sites within two years of the Interpretive Strategy being adopted.

50% of visitors will know that the ports of Inverclyde played a key role in world trade.

Behavioural objectives To encourage a 10% increase in visitors visiting more than one site with interpretation within two years of the Interpretive Strategy being adopted.

To encourage visitors to behave responsibly at interpreted sites.

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5% of visitors to all interpreted sites will arrive by bus, cycle or on foot within 4 years of the Interpretive Strategy being adopted.

Emotional objectives 80% of visitors will feel it is important to look after the interpreted sites within 2 years of the Interpretive Plan being adopted.

70% of visitors will feel motivated to find out more about the interpreted sites and Inverclyde’s heritage in general within 2 years of the Interpretive Strategy being adopted.

People are more aware of and feel more connected to their natural, historical and cultural heritage, and a feeling of civic pride is engendered The above objectives and targets can be finalised during the adoption of the plan by Lower Clyde Greenspace and partners. However, if adopted there would need to be some sort of baseline survey carried out. Initial suggestions for monitoring and evaluating the success of interpretation in achieving the overall vision, aims and objectives are given in Section Four (x.x). Details of interpretive themes are given below:

3.3 Interpretive Themes The interpretive themes given in point three give suggested themes and content based on these principles.

The main goal of an interpretive theme is to help focus resources in terms of time, money and effort on exactly what the interpretation should communicate to visitors to and residents of Inverclyde. The theme is the ‘big picture’ and is the key thing for people to remember. A theme for interpreting Inverclyde is: Theme: Without easy access to water, Inverclyde would not have developed into such an important industrial, agricultural and tourist area.

A key objective of the Interpretive Strategy should be to ‘make connections’ under the overarching interpretive theme and sub-themes.

This theme is divided into sub themes that are suggested below: Sub-theme 3.3.1 – Volcanoes Shaping Inverclyde with fire!

Sub-theme 3.3.2 – Fresh Water So what’s the big deal about rain..?

Sub-theme 3.3.3 – The Clyde Estuary Doon the water..!

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Sub-theme 3.3.4 – Shipbuilding The term ‘Clyde-built’ is a label on many of the finest and most famous ships in the world.

Sub-theme 3.3.5 – A Safe Haven The Inverclyde dockyards and anchorage were a welcome refuge particularly in war time.

Sub-theme 3.3.6 – Water in the Woods Inverclyde has some fantastic hidden glens each with its own burn running through it from the hills to the sea.

Sub-theme 3.3.7 – Industrial Powerhouse, Decline and Regeneration In the past Inverclyde was the ‘Export Capital of Scotland’ and suffered from a sad decline. However, new opportunities are now helping to revive the area through a massive investment in regeneration projects.

Some suggested examples to illustrate each of the sub-themes which could form part of the actual interpretation are listed below: Sub-theme 3.3.1 – Volcanoes Shaping Inverclyde with fire!

Example 3.3.1.1: Millions of years ago much of Inverclyde was part of a great mass of molten lava. When the lava cooled and hardened it formed the upland area of Inverclyde.

Example 3.3.1.2: Sandstone rocks are much softer rocks and were quarried locally at sites such as Shielhill Glen. The stone was used to build some of the area’s distinctive houses particularly those in the centre and west end of Greenock.

Example 3.3.1.3: Other (red) sandstone rocks that were formed from river beds and flood plains can be seen on the coast around Inverkip and Wemyss Bay.

Sub-theme 3.3.2 – Fresh Water So what’s the big deal about rain..?

Example 3.3.2.1: Towns like Greenock suffered from disease due to polluted water supplies.

Story of Robert Thom and Greenock Cut etc.

Example 3.3.2.2: Water from the hills was used to power waterwheels which in turned powered machinery in mills allowing for the growth of industry.

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Example 3.3.2.3: Rain ensures little need for artificial irrigation of crops and grass for livestock.

This rainfall is one of the reasons why the farming areas of Inverclyde are so productive.

Example 3.3.2.4: Throughout Inverclyde there are several public wells that can still be seen.

Many of these are beautifully built from carved granite and other stone.

Examples of wells found are located at the Well Park, Coronation Park, centre of Kilmacolm, Greenock Esplanade and Cardwell Bay.

Sub-theme 3.3.3 – The Clyde Estuary Doon the water..!

Example 3.3.3.1: Many visitors came to the famous piers of Inverclyde such as Gourock, Wemyss Bay and Princess Pier to enjoy a trip on a graceful steamer.

Example 3.3.3.2: It’s not just people who visit the riverbanks. Every winter thousands of wading birds and ducks arrive on the shores of Inverclyde to feed on the mudflats making the area internally important for wildlife.

Key sites with good public access are at: • • •

Parklea/ Finlaystone Point Cardwell Bay/ Battery Park Lunderston Bay

Sub-theme 3.3.4 – Shipbuilding The term ‘Clyde-built’ is a label on many of the finest and most famous ships in the world.…

Interpretation in Inverclyde – ‘Made from Girders!’

Some sort of strapline should be used that could appeal to all or a particular target audience/s such as local young people. Indeed there may be scope for local youth to be involved in an interpretation project. In this way the strategy would help with the wider ‘social inclusion’ objectives of the Steering Group and partner organisations as detailed in the Inverclyde Green Network Study.

Example 3.3.4.1: When the shipbuilding industry was at its peak there were 13 shipyards on the Inverclyde waterfront with world famous names such as Scott, Hamilton, Russell and Caird.

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Example 3.3.4.2: Shipbuilding was the most important industry in Inverclyde and in the 1970s employed about 20,000 people in shipbuilding and related industries at yards such as Lamont, Lithgows and Kincaid.

Example 3.3.4.3: The biggest ship built in Inverclyde yards was the tanker, Nordic Commander which was more than a third of a kilometre in length. It was so big it had to be built in two halves and then welded together!

Example 3.3.4.4: There are still a few examples of the proud tradition of Inverclyde’s shipbuilding expertise left. For example, Ferguson’s Shipbuilders in Port Glasgow.

Sub-theme 3.3.5 – A Safe Haven The Inverclyde dockyards and anchorage were a welcome refuge and important source of supplies particularly in war time.

Example 3.3.5.1: Around 1635 the natural advantages of the Inverclyde coastline (where it bends ‘round the corner’ at Gourock) began to encourage visits from the increasing volume of seaborne traffic.

Example 3.3.5.2: The Tail of the Bank is the name given to the anchorage off Greenock and Gourock. This area of the Firth of Clyde gets its name from the sandbar which marks the entrance to the estuary.

Example 3.3.5.3: A significant factor in the history of Inverclyde was the development of a series of harbours, the West, East India and Victoria.

Example 3.3.5.4: The James Watt Dock opened in 1886. With a length of 2,000 feet, width of 300-350 feet and a depth at high water of 32 feet, it allowed very large vessels to be kept constantly afloat or (if you really wanted to) try to float nine football pitches on its surface area!

Example 3.3.5.5: The Home Fleet warships of the Royal Navy were temporarily based off the Inverclyde coast after the sinking of the battleship HMS Royal Oak by a German submarine at their traditional base of Scapa Flow in Orkney. At this time the upper firth was protected by an anti-submarine boom stretching from Cloch Point across the River to Dunooon.

Example 3.3.5.6: In the past the Tail of the Bank area was crowded with ships seeking shelter from storms and enemy aircraft and warships. This was particularly evident

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during World War II Hundreds of merchant ships from Atlantic convoys gathered off the Tail of the Bank waiting to off-load their precious cargos.

Sub-theme 3.3.6 – Water in the Woods Inverclyde has some fantastic hidden glens each with its own burn running through it from the hills to the sea.

Example 3.3.6.1: Devol Burn runs down a short, steep glen above Port Glasgow. This burn was the traditional boundary between Greenock and Port Glasgow. Trains used to cross a once impressive viaduct on their way to Princess Pier with great views over the shipyards below.

Example 3.3.6.2: Shielhill Glen is a steeply sided gash in the hills behind Inverkip that almost wriggles its way from Cornalees Bridge to Millhouse Farm. The wooded glen is an important habitat for wildlife.

Example 3.3.6.3: The West Burn ran roughly in parallel with West Burn Street and also gave its name to the West Burn Sugar Refinery which was an important industry for Greenock. There was a shipyard at the bottom of the burn with the story of a carpenter who used to make rough models of ships hulls and test them in the burn to see which one ‘rode the water’ the best.

Other examples include: • the Mill Burn which once acted as the boundary between Gourock and Greenock, Crawfords Burn • Delling Burn which flowed down beside Baker Street past the current fire station • Carts Burn which flowed through Scotts (Cartsburn Yard) Shipyard • Lady Burn was the boundary between Greenock and Port Glasgow • Glen Burn or Strone Burn flowed through Auchmountain Glen There used to be an old saying that said: ‘Rome was built on seven hills but Greenock was built on seven burns.’

Sub-theme 3.3.7 – Industrial Powerhouse, Decline and Regeneration In the past Inverclyde was the ‘Export Capital of Scotland’ and suffered from a sad decline. However, new opportunities are now helping to revive the area through a massive investment in regeneration projects.

Example 3.3.7.1: One of the main reasons for the prosperity of Inverclyde’s three main towns was the development of the steam engine which Greenock born James Watt helped to pioneer.

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Example 3.3.7.2: Almost a quarter of Britain’s sugar refineries were in Greenock and Port Glasgow and these, as well as the textile mills were directly or indirectly dependent on steam power. Today there are none.

Example 3.3.7.3: Steam technology contributed to the development of Gourock as a Victorian seaside town. It was the first ‘resort’ stop down the river from Glasgow for the legendary Clyde Steamers and grew rapidly after 1890 when the Caledonian Railway completed the line from Glasgow for steam hauled rail travel.

Example 3.3.7.4: In 1913 demand for ships reached its peak particularly due to the First World War. Since then decline has continued. In 1955, twenty seven new ships were launched from Inverclyde’s yards, twenty years later the number was ten.

Example 3.3.7.5: There are many analogies between Watt’s time and the present day.

Inverclyde is once again experiencing change. It is hoped that the process of regeneration will inspire enterprise and enthusiasm in Inverclyde’s people in the way the steam engine did two hundred years ago!

Recommendations on what form of media to be used are given in the proposals listed in Section Four.

3.4 Target Audiences During our research we were only able to obtain limited information on possible target audiences such as visitor numbers to McLean Museum. Visitor figures and associated information was also provided by Inverclyde Council and Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park. Although limited, this information will help towards a baseline against which to measure progress of some of the plans objectives. A limited breakdown was available that gave numbers of school groups, family groups and special interest groups such as natural history or historical societies. However, further visitor and traffic data will need to be collected to give a more accurate picture of who is using the interpretation.

However, casual observation of some of the sites and discussion with staff at visitor attractions, Inverclyde’s Economic Development Team, Ranger Services and members of the public helped provide information on where people go and what they do. For example, how far people walk from a car park or which part of the coast is more popular than others. This will all have bearing on the type of interpretation, its content and the way it is presented and distributed.

Other policy documents produced by the GCV Green Network Partnership and other organisations such as the Inverclyde Green Network Study, Core Paths Plan were studied to try to find a way of complementing objectives in Inverclyde Interpretive Strategy – FINAL REPORT November 2010

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this Strategy in terms of target audiences and also by specific projects that deliver these objectives on the ground via the proposals outlined in Section Four (4.6).

From this information we identified six main target audiences: • • • • • • 3.4.1

Local communities Returning visitors First-time visitors School groups Other educational and training groups Specialist groups Local communities

There have been a number of community initiatives in Inverclyde. Not surprisingly, most of these have been in the less socially deprived areas such as the Friends of Weymss Bay Pier. However, there have been others, most notably the work done by the 71/2 John Wood Street currently carrying out research into local history in Port Glasgow. Involving communities is to be encouraged as good practice for interpretation. It also is a productive way of meeting objectives set in the Community Learning and Development Strategy 2008 – 2011 produced by the Inverclyde Alliance and other Community Development policies.

With these various community groups working away at their own local projects there is scope for encouraging them to adopt the good practice principles contained in this strategy to ensure that their efforts receive guidance.

Additional co-ordination at a strategic level would also lead to the various community projects complementing one another within an Inveclyde-wide framework and avoiding duplication of effort and unnecessary competion for funding. It would also allow additional help to be targetted towards groups who required additional support.

3.4.2

Returning visitors

With Inverclyde being the starting point for many journeys to destinations around the world over many years there is a constant stream of people coming back to the area for a variety of reasons. There are a number of sub groups amongst returning visitors as follows: • • •

People who were born in the area People who were stationed in the area during the Second World War People who have some other strong connection with the area

If not already done it would be useful to question visitors to attractions and those from cruise ships on why they are returning to Inverclyde and the likely hood of them returning again.

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3.4.3 First-time visitors There are also a number of sub-groups amongst first-time visitors as follows: Cruise ship passengers.

For both returning and first-time visitors it will be important to complement the objectives and targets contained in ‘Inverclyde’s Tourism Strategy and Action Plan 2009-2016 – Working together for Future Growth’.

There may also be major opportunities to ‘showcase’ Inverclyde’s natural and cultural heritage to visitors to the 2014 Commonwealth Games and to encourage not just day trips but longer stays with the additional economic boost this would bring to local accommodation providers and other businesses.

3.4.4 School Groups From limited data available the main sites used by schools are McLean Museum, Lunderston Bay, Cornalees Bridge and Finlaystone Estate.

Although school groups are an important target group there are some very practical difficulties in trying to reveal the significance of Inverclyde’s natural, industrial and cultural past as follows: Safety Supervision Transport costs to sites Staff time However there has been a lot of work done to produce educational material such as the Lunderston Bay Field Study Guide and worksheets produced by the McLean Museum.

At time of writing this strategy the curriculum in Scotland was in transition between the 5-14 curriculum and the Curriculum for Excellence. It will be important to ensure that opportunities for future interpretation complement the new curriculum to ensure the greatest possible take up by schools. This may be a way of encouraging greater use of the museum and interpreted sites.

Whilst it is always worthwhile taking children out of school this has become increasingly difficult due to growing administration, additional safeguards and supervision associated with out of school trips along with transport costs.

However, one way of overcoming such difficulties is to take material into school. For example, using some of the material described in Section Two and implementing some of the proposals described in Section Four.

Once the Curriculum for Excellence is fully established then some form of ‘Interpreting Inverclyde’ pack could also help schools to meet objectives of the new curriculum. This could be done whilst students also find out about, and

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appreciate, Inverclyde’s cultural heritage and examine current regeneration projects and consider ideas for the future.

3.4.5 Other educational and training groups Along with school groups there is tremendous scope for involvement in the interpretation of Inverclyde by further education groups.

Examples have already been given in Section Two of previous work by students at James Watt College and the 7½ John Wood Street Group. Some suggested proposals are also given in Section Four (4.6).

However, this could be developed further by establishing and/or strengthening links with other groups as outlined below: Civil Engineering links to Nautical College and Royal Navy training University of Glasgow, Heriott Watt University Visiting non-vocational Summer Schools or run residential/ non-residential classes in Inverclyde.

Visiting vocational classes particularly social history courses or run classes in Inverclyde. This may be a worthwhile development of the Inverclyde Hub group.

Twinning with other towns with maritime history such as those represented during the Tall Ships race and other visiting training ships.

3.4.6 Specialist groups This target group tends to be more self - sufficient and have access to very detailed accounts of the sites or knowledgeable experts to guide them. They also tend to have specific needs and targets.

However, there is still a role for interpretation, particularly when it comes to encouraging groups and individuals to behave in a responsible manner and to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code when visiting sites. This is particularly important at more sensitive and dangerous sites.

Groups such as rambling clubs, local members of conservation charities such as the RSPB, Scottish Wildlife Trust and National Trust for Scotland should also be targeted.

Local heritage societies could be encouraged to help research topics for interpretation. Although care would need to be taken to ensure that the final product met the guidelines given in the Introduction in point 1.1 and 1.2.

Such interpretation would act as an introduction for visiting groups of amateur historians and others.

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The British Commission for Maritime History is another group with an interest in Inverclyde. The Commission’s aim is ‘to promote the rigorous study of the maritime dimensions of history.’

The Commission’s members are drawn from museum and university staff and other maritime related organisations.

The Commission’s main event of the year is the running of a major conference entitled ‘New Researchers in Maritime History’ the location of which moves around Britain and is hosted by a variety of universities and museum. In 2010 the conference was in Exeter, 2011 it will be in Hull.

However, of greater potential to Inverclyde is the 2012 event which takes place in Glasgow. There may be scope for encouraging specialist visits to Inverclyde either before, during or after the conference. Early discussions with the organisers is recommended.

Trade and business bodies such as Greenock Chamber of Commerce are another specialist group that could be encouraged to be involved in the development of the interpretation. Local members could bring local knowledge and experiences whilst visiting groups could bring knowledge from other areas and exchange experiences. If a programme of tours and other events was organised over a weekend then there would be further economic benefits for accommodation providers.

At a national level the Trade Association Forum encourages the development and sharing of best practice among UK trade associations and the businesses they represent. Again, there is scope for exchange of experiences and events such as conferences to include tours of interpreted and other sites to showcase the area and to encourage repeat visits and business.

Finally, with the 300th anniversary of the founding of Scotts’ Shipbuilding Company in 2011 groups of former workers could be brought together to either form new associations or strengthen existing ones to contribute to interpretation projects with experiences and memories. Some sort of interpretive provision such as a series of panels, booklet or public art are some ways the anniversary could be remembered. This should be done in conjunction with McLean Museum staff who are planning to mark the anniversary with a series of events.

3.5 Proposed Routes to Interpretation 3.5.1 Museums and Visitor Centres Maritime Heritage Centre During our research and consultations there were several mentions of the idea for some sort of custom-built centre to act as a focus for local maritime heritage and visitor attraction.

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However, our conclusion is that such a centre should not form part of future interpretive provision due to: • • •

the capital and revenue costs involved there are other museums and centres nearby such as the Riverside Museum in Glasgow a more effective strategy would be a series of relatively small scale projects spread throughout the Inverclyde area.

However, should the opportunity arise for a refurbishment of the McLean Museum or Custom House then improved interpretation should be considered particularly to act as a ‘hub’ for on site provision. There may also be scope for some form of interpretation to be installed in other indoor locations such as the Foyer of the new Arts Guild Theatre, public buildings such as reception areas, café areas of supermarkets and Waterfront Leisure Centre and smaller venues such as cafes and tearooms.

3.5.2 Leaflet / Poster These can be made relatively cheaply and are easy to update. By using good design and adopting an ‘Interest in Inverclyde’ house style a leaflet would bring the various visitor centres, man made and natural attractions together in an integrated way. This house style would also be applied to panels, other signing and event promotion.

The leaflet would help to guide visitors to the site locations and then help to interpret the specific features of individual sites. In many cases this would complement the signing programme being undertaken as part of the Core Path Planning process.

If designed as an A3 or even A2 folded leaflet when unfolded it could form an attractive poster for information boards in local hotels, Tourist Information Centres, council offices, and libraries. The leaflet /poster would also serve as a marketing tool and souvenir. In keeping with the environmental theme of the Interpretive Plan the leaflet should be produced using ‘environmentally friendly’ materials.

There is scope for a small exhibition or at least leaflet dispenser in local tearoom, museum or library. See proposals in Section Four (4.4) for further details.

3.5.3 Series of Panels Whilst an interpretive panel has the advantage that casual visitors have a convenient form of information, it has the following disadvantages when compared with leaflets: * * *

relatively expensive to produce relatively expensive to update difficult to remember details from the board whilst walking around the site

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*

prone to vandalism

Panels of various styles are already in place at various locations in Inverclyde, see Interpretive Audit in Section Two. We would recommend that careful thought be given to further panels on site to ensure quality presentation. We think that panels should only be used where they are the best media to use and where they can be maintained and will not be subject to repeated vandalism.

However, where panels are used we recommend that a corporate style be agreed for all sites. This would then be used when producing new panels or replacing existing ones. Over a number of years all sites to be interpreted using panels would eventually be recognised as part of a network of ‘Interest in Inverclyde’ sites.

The emphasise of the panel would be site-specific information to give interpretation of a particular site. However, where a site was in relative isolation such as Knapps Loch, Kilmacolm the panel would contain a basic map that would show the relationship of the site with nearby settlements and other key features to encourage further exploration of local heritage sites and spend in local settlements.

3.5.4 Guided Walks In our view face-to-face interpretation is unbeatable especially when the interpreter is a person with great involvement and love of the area.

Other particular advantages for interpreting Inverclyde’s natural and cultural heritage by guided walks include: • •

being able to interpret and help people to understand complicated processes and concepts offers great flexibility. There is almost endless scope for experiment and for responding to a specific audience and their needs

In terms of linking with wider objectives interpretation through guided walks could give a sense of pride, particularly if the walks are carried out as part of a community initiative.

They can also provide training in presentation skills and give confidence to walk leaders. This aspect could help deliver elements of the Community Learning and Development in Inverclyde Strategy 2008-2011. It could also form a joint project with James Watt College or other training establishment.

Walks could provide employment, albeit limited and can generate income, again limited particularly when part of a larger event such as the Tall Ships Race.

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training and commitment to maintain quality. In order to ensure sufficient people attend walks to make them viable we recommend that walks be well publicised as part of an events programme. There may be scope for developing an annual joint events programme with Finlaystone Estate, Ardgowan Estate, Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, McLean Museum, Community Groups and others.

By adopting this co-operative approach this form of interpretation can be more easily packaged under the ‘Interpret Inverclyde’ banner with the programme design using same colours and style of panels and other leaflets. Synergy of expertise would be easier to achieve with, for example, a local historian and Countryside Ranger leading a walk along the Waterfront or Greenock Cut There could also be very practical advantages such as avoiding a clash of dates between two or more walks/events programme, reduced printing and distribution costs. Increase in outlets and more likely to receive strategic funding support.

3.5.5 Cycle Routes The National Cycle Route (NCN 75) comes into Inverclyde from Bridge of Weir. It heads north-west following a disused railway line through Kilmacolm and on into Port Glasgow. From here it swings west and contours along the hill before dropping down into Greenock just after the Lady Octavai Park and crosses the A8 road near Victoria Harbour.

Once on the waterfront path route 75 continues west to the Waterfront Leisure complex after which it comes inland to loop around the Clydeport Container Terminal and back onto the Waterfront at the Esplanade which it follows until reaching the western end. From here route 75 goes inland to avoid new housing and coastguard offices before continuing through the battery park, along the edge of Cardwell Bay to Gourock Pierhead. Once through Gourock the route swings south west and rejoins a shared use waterfront section at Ashton which takes the route to Lunderston Bay where the route narrows onto a coastal path section to Kip Marina where it comes out to run parallel with the A78, around the Inverkip Power Station and the minor coast road into Wemyss Bay to connect with train, ferry and bus services.

There is an opportunity to promote a number of sites that lie on or close to NCN 75 particularly those along the waterfront as these are more suitable for less confident cyclists. This would also promote the use of sustainable transport to visit the sites and link with trains. For example cycle from Port Glasgow to Gourock and catch the train back. With the railway line from Glasgow branching just before Bogston in Port Glasgow and going on to Gourock and Wemyss Bay respectively there are opportunities for making linkages between the interpreted sites that also help deliver health, sustainable transport and civic pride objectives such as those contained in the Inverclyde Alliance’s strategy.

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particularly where there is limited car parking and to promote health benefits.

For example, the Waterfront route at Port Glasgow and the Gryffe Reservoir route. We would recommend that such links should be strengthened to give a ‘Cycle by the Clyde in Inverclyde’ or similarly named health initiative.

3.5.6 Public Art There is tremendous scope for public art projects in Inverclyde particularly along the waterfront. The subject material of Inverclyde’s maritime history could make for some truly unique works and act as a constant reminder of the key role Inverclyde played as an important trading and ship building port.

However, the present and future should also be celebrated particularly, as part of the massive regeneration projects that are taking place along the waterfront. Some artwork has already been put in place by Riverside Inverclyde as part of this regeneration work.

Locations should include sites of future regeneration projects such as business centres, public open space and residential areas perhaps as part of a playpark. Other possibilities are as a feature in a suitable area of supermarket car park, perhaps sponsored by this company.

The main Oak Mall shopping centre is another possible location. By using such locations there is an opportunity to interpret the natural and cultural heritage of Inverclyde to a new audience of people who do not normally visit museums or visitor centres and are unaware of Inverclyde’s volcanic beginnings and shipbuilding past. This taking Inverclyde’s interpretation to the people approach is one way of ensuring an accessible and inclusive approach to investment in interpretation.

Other locations could include roundabouts or ‘gateways’ at key entry points to Inverclyde. However, it will be important to ensure that these are wellmaintained as previously mentioned in Section Two – Audit. Examples of this idea are siting a ships haual metal artwork similar to that on the Waterfront Path near the Waterfront Leisure Centre. There would, of course, need to be discussion with the appropriate road authorities.

However, it is important to ensure that the artworks are relevant to the Inverclyde story and are based on local events or achievements. For example, a replica of a tug wheelhouse built by Fergusons in a playpark.

Siting will be important to ensure safety and security and to ensure operations such as grass cutting can still be carried out.

Public art should also be linked to community and other events. By encouraging community involvement a sense of ‘ownership’ can be developed. The Comet Festival and the 300th Anniversary of Scotts Shipbuilding Company gives good opportunities for a community led project.

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3.5.7 Living History The story of Inverclyde, particularly the growth of Greenock and Port Glasgow as a major centre for maritime trade, immigration and ship building is ideal for interpretation via living history. A hypothetical meeting between say a young apprentice who worked on one of the luxury liners and a rich couple from First Class dressed in period costume would make for a very effective and atmospheric piece of interpretation.

The visit of the Tall Ships in 2011 would be a great venue for all sorts of living History and we understand that plans for this event are already well underway. However, there may be scope for this Strategy helping to guide interpretation in 2011 and similar events in the future.

Other possible topics for living history interpretation include: • • • • • •

Farm rural life Kilmacolm, Bridge of Weir, Ardgowan Estate, farms behind main towns Tenement living and Robert Thom James Watt and The Comet Quarryman from Shielhill Glen Anti-aircraft gunner at Coves Reservoir Flying Boat mechanic at Battery Park

3.5.8 Events Events take a lot of time to organise and can take a couple of years to build up an audience. We would recommend, at least in the short term, that events should be timed to link with established events such as the Comet Festival, Highland Games, Scottish Geology Week or Museums Week.

There may be other opportunities for one off or less frequent events such as the Year of Biodiversity 2010 and the Tall Ships Race in 2011.

For example, attendance at Tall Ships Race is expected to be huge and will provide a great opportunity to showcase Inverclyde’s cultural and natural heritage. This initial interest could be built on and an ‘Interest in Inverclyde’ / ‘Made from Girders’ or similarly titled week or monthly events could be organised. Such an event could bring together several of the ideas outlined in this section. However, care should be taken to ensure sufficient budget and staff resources were available before adding to workloads.

Events could also incorporate the ideas given in the Living History section above.

3.5.9 Websites The internet has been recognised as a powerful tool to gather, store and disseminate information about Inverclyde’s heritage. Inverclyde Council already operates a comprehensive website with some content that could be Inverclyde Interpretive Strategy – FINAL REPORT November 2010

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described as interpretive along with links to other websites. There is an opportunity to expand this service by inclusion of interpretation relating to various sites in Inverclyde including basic information such as directions and transport links.

There is also scope for using the website as a key element of a more coordinated approach which links the websites and other technology, events, leaflets, panels, visitor attractions and other interpreted sites together along with information on how to get to the sites. Some of the web pages could supplement on-site interpretation or act as an alternative to panels at sites vulnerable to vandalism. The website pages would have the same branding and style of leaflets and on-site panels to give a corporate, co-ordinated feel to them. These PDF print-on-demand pages would also have the advantage of being readily added to or updated. See Section Four (4.4) for further details of this suggestion.

3.5.10 Other forms of technology There are many opportunities to deliver good interpretive content via mp3 players mobile phones and iPods. However, whilst this form of media can help to reach new audiences particularly younger people specialist input should be sought from someone who has substantial experience of testing, implementing and evaluating a range of new media. Other methods include podcasts, audio trails and podscrolls.

An important point to consider is that technology is advancing all the time and therefore there will need to be someone in place who can not only keep the information up to date but ensure the interpretation is accessible by mobiles etc. The reliability of some forms of technology also varies. Therefore, great care should be taken before investing time and money in any technology based interpretation system.

However, the flexibility and amount of interpretation able to be stored on something like an audio heritage trail makes such a system worthwhile.

There is also the advantage of adding sound effects such as steam hammers and ships horns. Some sites also produce a leaflet to accompany the multimedia device which includes instructions, a map of stopping points and where to get further information. See Fig 3.5.1 for example of a multimedia guide to the island of Inchcailloch, produced by the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

A great advantage for Inverclyde is that recordings for different languages can be produced making such a system ideal for visitors to events like the Tall Ships or for non-English speaking visitors from cruise ships.

A further benefit is that a virtual trail can be given an audio commentary ‘online’ to give an enticing interpretive taster of Inverclyde’s heritage to encourage first and repeat visits.

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Fig 3.5.1: example of a multimedia guide to the island of Inchcailloch, produced by the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

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3.5.11 Orientation and information Although not pure interpretation this issue has been included as there are strong links to these topics. It is important that visitors are given quality orientation and information. This would cover basic items such as where they are in relation to the various sites. Other information would include nearest facilities such as toilets, transport links, cafes and useful phone numbers and websites. This should be included on the leaflet proposal outlined in Section Four and also on panels as appropriate. However, care should be taken to ensure the volume of information does not detract from the main interpretive aims of leaflets and panels.

One further suggestion which would link in with any new development or refurbishment at the museum is for a 3D relief model of Inverclyde. There was a very useful model of the area around Cornalees Bridge at the Visitor Centre. Future possibilities include a model showing the location of shipyards along the Inverclyde Waterfront. Depending on scale a modern equivalent could also be produced showing the regeneration work and links with the older parts of Greenock and Port Glasgow. Interpreted sites and other places of interest would be indicated by small lights triggered by a switch. However, such a model should be as simple as possible to keep any future maintenance to a minimum.

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Fig 3.5.2: Audience Media Matrix The table below gives a rough correlation between methods of interpretation to the various target groups on a scale of 1 – 5. 1 is the least likely correlation and 5 is a relatively high correlation.

Local Returning communities visitors

Firsttime visitors

School groups

Other educational and training groups

Specialist groups

Museums and Visitor Centres

5

5

5

5

5

5

Leaflet / Poster

3

4

5

3

3

3

Series of Panels

3

4

5

4

4

3

Guided Walks

3

4

4

3

3

3

Cycle Routes

4

4

4

2

2

2

Public Art

4

4

4

1

1

1

Events

5

5

5

3

3

3

Websites

3

3

5

5

5

5

Other forms of technology

2

4

5

4

4

3

Orientation 2 and information

4

5

3

3

3

Living History

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3.5.12 Style We recommend that most interpretation should be presented in a lighthearted populist style. This suits the aims and objectives for interpretation and the main target audiences. It also allows the interpretation to act as a ‘taster’ to encourage people to find out more about Inverclyde’s cultural and natural heritage and to visit the interpreted and other sites.

We also recommend that an ‘Interest in Inverclyde’ house-style should be adopted using suitable colours and fonts. This logo should be designed to have a wide application. Our suggestion is to use a logo based on shipyards and hills. The new logo would then reflect the relationship between the land and the river that gives Inverclyde its past and present character.

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Section Four The Next Steps Introduction This section gives some recommendations for the future, strategic management of interpretation in Inverclyde along with area-wide proposals.

However, it mainly concentrates on suggested proposals in the form of miniproject briefs for the various sites identified. There is also a summary table.

We recommend action be taken to fulfil the aims of the plan under the following key headings. These are given in priority order: 1.

2.

3.

4.

Interest in Inverclyde ‘Interpretive Network’ Links and Integration Partnership Working Monitoring and Evaluation

4.1 Interest in Inverclyde ‘Interpretive Network’ Once it has been agreed to implement the plan some sort of management and co-ordination mechanism should be put in place to take the plan forward.

We suggest the establishment of an ‘Interpretive Network’. However, we also recognise that potential partners have limited time and so if a separate group is not considered feasible then the network could operate as a sub-group of say Inverclyde Tourist Group or Cleaner Greener Safer Stronger Inverclyde The Interest in Inverclyde ‘Interpretive Network’ idea would operate at three levels. Firstly, it would be the collective name given to the existing sites of natural, industrial and cultural heritage interest. This would include venues such as the McLean Museum which could also act as a key ‘hub’. Secondly, the network would seek to connect and by ‘joined up thinking’ link to other plans in the area that may have an affect on ‘Interest In Inverclyde’ sites. For example, existing and future plans for regeneration of the Waterfront, development of Core Paths and Community Planning. Thirdly, the network would require management and would need input from a range of agencies, land managers, communities and individuals.

The first and primary purpose of the network will be to ensure an integrated and quality approach to future interpretation of Inverclyde. The ‘network’ should promote interpretation for people of all ages and knowledge.

Principally, the network should aim to provide a good basis for education, respect for the site, local pride and enhancement of the visitor experience.

On the second point, the ‘network’ should be linked to how people access the sites, reference should be made to the Outdoor Access Strategy for Inverclyde. Links to footpaths, cycleways and bus services should be included to encourage people to use means other than car to visit the sites.

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also be useful for people combining a visit to Interest In Inverclyde sites with a linear walk. For example, the coastal path between Gourock and Inverkip or a combination of the Greenock and Kelly Cut between Greenock and Wemyss Bay. On the final point of the proposed network, the management group of the network will include a range of interested parties. For example, SNH, Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, McLean Museum, site landowners, local communities, a local historian, Inverclyde Council Education and Outdoor Access Officer. Along with the implementation of the plan monitoring and evaluation will be an important role for the group.

To avoid excessive meetings and paper generation there should be a small core group for day-to-day business and a wider group that meets every quarter. An annual open meeting could be held to present the achievements of one year and plans for the next. Annual meetings should be rotated between Inverclyde settlements and not always held in Greenock to encourage a wider participation.

The ideal, we think, would be to have a dedicated person to work on a part-time basis whose duties would include servicing the group, organising events, research and interpretation and fund raising for projects.

4.2 Links and Integration From fieldwork and desktop studies we have already noted limited integration between initiatives and sites. For example between the McLean Museum and Cornalees Bridge.

Another current attempt at this is the ‘Discover Inverclyde’ leaflet which gives an interesting summary of the main settlements of the area. However, there is scope to increase the effectiveness of the leaflet to act as an ‘umbrella’ for the various sites and to make more of Inverclyde’s heritage by ‘joining up the dots’.

We would also recommend that because of the outstanding natural and industrial heritage of Inverclyde that innovative, educational and entertaining ways of telling the story are used. Make the story fun by using techniques such as a simulated or actual shipbuilding project using models and computer simulations. For example, the migration route of wintering redshank to the Inner Clyde and how they feed and what they feed on.

Unity of design to visually link both indoor and outdoor exhibits and also link interpretation of different medium should be established and maintained. This is an important factor in integrated interpretation.

However, perhaps the most important concept from this integration project was the idea of ‘Connecting People and Places’ not just the present day Inverclyde but the maritime history of Inverclydes’s past and how that influenced so many parts of the world. Inverclyde’s industrial landscapes of a Inverclyde Interpretive Strategy – FINAL REPORT November 2010

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relatively short time ago and going right back to the volcanic activity that shaped the land that is now Inverclyde.

4.3 Partnership working As well as links with the groups already mentioned the interpretive network group should also be constantly looking to consolidate existing interpretive provision and developing new opportunities through partnerships with organisations such as Network Rail, Sustrans and Cal Mac. An important aspect of the Interpretive Strategy should be seeking out opportunities to work with local communities. Various community groups are already researching their heritage and some such as Wemyss Bay are actively telling locals and visitors their story. However, there is, in our view, further greatest potential for partnership working with communities and local businesses.

Perhaps a local tea-room could agree to have interpretation on their premises.

For example, at a site prone to vandalism or where an outdoor exhibit would detract from the site or where it is likely to be affected by wind and salt spray.

Our initial thoughts on this are at Cardwell Bay and the Waterfront Leisure Centre.

During our information gathering we noted several existing examples of partnership working. For example, between those involved in the friends of Wemyss Bay Pier project. From our wide ranging experience in community and partnership working we have found this approach to be rewarding for all parties but often very time consuming. We feel it is therefore important to adopt a cautious, planned approach that does not raise expectations or which is funding driven. There is, however, tremendous scope for partnership working should the project move into a further implementation phase. Ideas of this potential in delivery of specific projects are given in Section Four (4.6).

4.4 Monitoring and Evaluation Monitoring and evaluation are important to help find out if the interpretation is achieving the interpretive objectives. It also gives the opportunity to review and make changes if necessary. The evaluation would link the overall project aims given in Section One and the interpretive objectives given in Section Three.

Monitoring can be informal, through anecdotal evidence or formal through highly structured surveys and interviews.

We recommend that informal monitoring of the sites and interpretive provision is used at this stage. However, if there was to be a significant resource input then we would recommend more formal monitoring to also ensure value for money on investment. Informal monitoring could be achieved through a combination of Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, Inverclyde Council and McLean Museum with the help of local volunteers such as those Inverclyde Interpretive Strategy – FINAL REPORT November 2010

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who staff the Tourist Information Centre at Gourock Pierhead and act as ambassadors to visitors from cruse ships.

For formal monitoring an Interpretive Consultant could also be used, particularly to manage the evaluation process and pull the results together.

Of particular importance will be evaluation at the end of the plan’s 4 year ‘lifespan’ in 2014. We recommend a thorough review at this stage. However, relevant aspects might also be evaluated as part of evaluation of the Tall Ships visit in 2011.

4.5 Indicative costs Prices are given as an estimate of 2010 prices and will vary dependant on different contractors. Prices for stone mainly include tooling and are rough estimates. Stones used are rough boulders and shaped on one edge.

Note that costs can be also reduced through volunteer labour placing signs and waymarkers on the ground. Costs may also be reduced by ‘in-kind’ support. All prices are estimated ex-VAT and are given for quantity of one for each item.

Emblems/logo Design of emblems for waymarkers, lecterns, leaflets Trail-markers Wood manufacture Wood erection Lecterns Manufacture and tool work Lectern transport and installation

£400.00 65.00 25.00 90.00 170.00 130.00 300.00

Panels FE panels specification – (Electrostatic digital print using light fast inks. Print is encapsulated and then bound front and back. Front is 5mm of Lexan, and back 5mm of Foamex.)

Text, illustration and design A1 size Manufacture and delivery (2 of each @ A1 to inc. spares) Panels (made of Corrieflute) Design costs from pdf or similar supplied Manufacture costs for each A1 size Stone plinth structures Design and artwork Production and installation

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Leaflet Text, illustration and design (double-sided A3 folded) Production (1/6 A3 folded, 4 colour, 10,000 copies) Public Art Depends on exact brief, scale and method of working starting budget of around ÂŁ8,000 per piece Living History One character per day

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8,000.00

200.00

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4.6 Interpretation Proposals for Potential Sites Introduction This is a particularly important section as it begins to map out what interpretive provision might be made available to the people of Inverclyde and visitors.

LCG have a key role in providing strategic direction, giving guidance on practical aspects and ‘quality control’ and making connections between agencies and communities.

Many of the specific projects have details given as requested in the project brief. Several others are in skeletal form and others simply give a possible site and what the provision might be.

The looseleaf format of this report is designed to allow for projects to be taken out and ‘worked-up’ to delivery on the ground or for further detail to be added as required.

Further projects may also be added as suggestions come from community groups or LCG and GCV Green Network partners. It is hoped that by following the guidance given in this report projects can gain from being part of a bigger story but still retain community identity.

The specific proposals have been grouped in rough geographical areas.

However, it is important to stress that these should be part of the Inverclyde wide picture to avoid duplication of effort, ensure any potential transferable skills, economies of scale and partnership working benefits are maximised.

The projects are not listed in any priority order although a simple high, medium, low priority rating is given to help with forward planning.

A major issue for the production of this strategy was that many projects had already started or were in advanced stages of planning for example, the Tall Ships event. However, it is hoped that there may still be hope for this report to help with these projects wherever possible and to bring them under the strategic interpretive vision, objectives, principles and themes listed in Section Three.

Please note that none of the suggestions in the following section have been agreed by any of the potential lead organisations or potential partners. There is currently no agreement to commit funding, staff time or other resources. All the project detail are suggestions and would be subject to some sort of formal agreement from partner organisations.

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INVERCLYDE WIDE PROPOSALS INVERCLYDE 01 – MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE SYSTEM INVERCLYDE 02 – REVIEW AND UPDATE OF DISCOVER INVERCLYDE AND WALKABOUT INVERCLYDE LEAFLETS

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INVERCLYDE 01 – MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE SYSTEM Proposal: A fast response system that would monitor on site interpretation and quickly deal with any vandalism or accidental damage.

Objectives:

To secure some form of maintenance arrangement before any interpretation is installed.

To ensure that on-site interpretation is well presented To ensure the rapid repair or removal and replacement of damaged on-site interpretation.

Project:

It is envisaged that the overall management of interpretation provision would be a sub-group of the existing Tourism Group. The actual maintenance is likely to be carried out by existing maintenance team.

Key audience/s: Local people who want to explore their local environment Strategic fit: Community Pride, Safety Lead organisation: IC Potential partners: IC Access Officer, Economic Development Relative costs: Low – less than £5,000 annual budget Priority: High Timescale Factors:

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Photo: INVERCLYDE 01.1 – MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE SYSTEM Faded and dirty orientation panel, near Custom House, Dec 2009. Such signs give out a negative message and should be removed and replaced as required.

Photo: INVERCLYDE 01.2 - MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE SYSTEM Damaged panel near Newark Castle, Oct 2009. Not a welcoming sight for visitors at this important site. Again, such panels should be removed and replaced as necessary with quality interpretation using robust materials.

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INVERCLYDE 02 – REVIEW AND UPDATE OF DISCOVER INVERCLYDE AND WALKABOUT INVERCLYDE LEAFLETS Proposal: Review, update and rationalisation of existing leaflets Objectives:

To ensure any new leaflet fits with overall strategy To avoid duplication To ensure a ‘flagship’, quality product that follows design best practice To build on previous leaflets To show on one piece of print the key elements of Inverclyde’s social and natural heritage To act as an umbrella for the ‘Interest in Inverclyde’ sites and a taster for repeat visits To act as a colourful souvenir of the area.

Project:

An A2 leaflet folded to A5 that links man made and natural attractions together building on the ‘Discover Inverclyde’ idea. One side of poster will be map. Artwork will clearly link to artwork colours/design on site specific panels. However, final design should also be based on feedback/recreation to existing leaflets.

Key audience/s: Local people who want to explore their local environment First time and repeat visitors Strategic fit: Community Pride, Economic Development Lead organisation: IC / Contractor Potential partners: IC Access Officer, Economic Development, Greenock Telegraph, James Watt College Relative costs: Medium – £15,000 - £20,000 (depending on print run) Priority: Currently Low but will become greater as existing stocks diminish Timescale Factors: When stocks of the recently updated Walkabout leaflet become low

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SUB-AREA PROPOSALS SUB-INVERCLYDE 01 – INVERCLYDE WATERFRONT TRAIL SUB-INVERCLYDE 02 – LINKS TO TERCENTENARY OF SCOTT’S SHIPYARD EXHIBITION, SUMMER 2011 SUB-INVERCLYDE 03 – LINKS TO TALL SHIPS EVENT, JUNE 2011

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SUB-INVERCLYDE 01 – INVERCLYDE WATERFRONT TRAIL Proposal:

To establish a Waterfront Trail as a major attraction in its own right with appropriate supporting interpretation. Any interpretation will primarily give an insight into the huge contribution that the people and places along Inverclyde’s waterfront have made throughout the world.

Objectives:

To link the various shipyards and other industries of the past together.

To give a historical timeline of events that shaped Inverclyde.

To highlight the current regeneration work.

To help spread the economic and social benefits of the Tall Ships event in July 2011.

To showcase the waterfront path and to encourage repeat visits.

To link the recent housing developments and to encourage communities to use the trail for ‘business’ trips to work, schools and shops as well as for recreational journeys To highlight connections between waterfront and built up areas behind

Project:

To produce an attractive lively fold out leaflet that highlights opportunities for accessing the trail from the main settlements and also acts as a basic interpretive guide to the Trail.

The leaflet artwork should also be designed as a promotional poster that can be displayed in Tourist Centres and other public buildings. A series of information/ interpretation panels along the Trail could also be developed over a number of years at key points of interest.

Specifically, the panels or a landscape map display in a public building could show the recent, dramatic changes to the waterfront area.

Key audience/s: Visitors to Inverclyde particularly those here for the 2011 Tall Ships Race. Local residents. Ex-shipyard workers. School groups.

Strategic fit: Economic Development, Community Pride, Healthy routes to work/schools. Core Paths Plan (particularly Coastal Path routes) Also important to co-ordinate with other regeneration projects along the Waterfront and wider interpretive/information provision.

Lead organisation: Riverside Inverclyde Potential partners: IC, local community groups, James Watt College Relative costs: Med/High - £50,000?

Priority: High Timescale Factors: Have key elements in place by end May 2011 ready for Tall Ships event.

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Photo: SUB-INVERCLYDE 01.1 - WATERFRONT TRAIL - Rather than passengers from cruise ships being bussed out of the area there should be greater effort and provision for visits to Inverclyde heritage sites. Co-ordinating the various sites along the Waterfront into a ‘destination package’ would help achieve Interpretation Strategy objectives and provide a boost to local economy.

Photo: SUB-INVERCLYDE 01.2 - WATERFRONT TRAIL - An incredible amount of industrial and cultural heritage awaits visitors and local people. However, there is very little interpretation or information available to help maximise economic and social benefits.

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SUB-INVERCLYDE 02 – LINKS TO TERCENTENARY OF SCOTT’S SHIPYARD EXHIBITION, SUMMER 2011 Proposal:

Interpretive Co-ordination

Objectives: To ensure Interpretive Strategy helps guide the exhibition and other celebrations.

To ensure co-ordination between proposals in Strategy and exhibition organisers.

Project: 2011 will be the tercentenary of the foundation of Scotts’ shipyard in 1711.

To mark this event the McLean Museum will be mounting a special exhibition devoted to the history of Scotts’ shipyard and the role it played in Clyde shipbuilding for almost 300 years.

The Museum is currently looking for objects, photographs and other material to display as part of the exhibition which will be held in early summer 2011.

The museum staff wish to make the exhibition as comprehensive as possible and a fitting tribute to the yard that contributed so much to the development of shipbuilding and marine engineering on the Clyde. Staff are therefore keen to contact as many former employees of the yard as possible so that their experiences, knowledge and souvenirs can be included in the exhibition.

Key audience/s: Former shipyard workers, friends and family particularly young people who may not appreciate just how important Scotts and other shipbuilding yards were to Inverclyde.

Strategic fit: Community pride, local heritage, and also simply a celebration of what was achieved by the men who worked in the yards of Inverclyde!

Lead organisation: McLean Museum (see Section Two, 2.2) Potential partners: LCG, RI, IC, Trade Unions, Greenock Telegraph, Scottish Government, UK Government, ‘previous customers’ ie Commonwealth navies, shipping companies, etc Relative costs: Med Priority: High Timescale Factors: From summer 2011. Link with McLean Museum timetable of events

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SUB-INVERCLYDE 03 – LINKS TO TALL SHIPS EVENT, JUNE 2011 Proposal:

Interpretive Co-ordination

Objectives: To ensure Interpretive Strategy helps guide interpretation at the event.

To ensure co-ordination between proposals in Strategy and event organisers.

Project:

Key audience/s: Strategic fit: Lead organisation: Potential partners:

Relative costs:

Priority:

Timescale Factors:

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SITE SPECIFIC PROPOSALS - GOUROCK GOUROCK 01 – COVES RESERVOIR LOCAL NATURE RESERVE MANAGEMENT PLAN GOUROCK 02 – TOWER HILL LEAFLET GOUROCK 03 – CARDWELL BAY INTERPRETIVE PANEL AND ORIENTATION POINT GOUROCK 04 – GOUROCK ESPLANADE INTERPRETIVE PANEL AND ORIENTATION POINT GOUROCK 05 – GOUROCK PIER INTERPRETIVE PANEL AND ORIENTATION POINT GOUROCK 06 – GOUROCK SWIMMING POOL AND PAVILLION INTERPRETIVE PANEL AND ORIENTATION POINT

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GOUROCK 01 – COVES RESERVOIR LOCAL NATURE RESERVE MANAGEMENT PLAN Proposal:

To revise and update the existing Management Plan

Objectives:

To ensure the Management Plan is linked to recent policy documents To ensure the Plan is written within the spirit of part one of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code To ensure the Plan maximises links to health promotion groups and initiatives such as Paths to Health To ensure educational opportunities are maximised To check current maintenance schedules are adequate To use the revision to act as a catalyst for the formation of a Friends of Coves Reservoir Group To help deliver actions for important species and habitats as detailed in the Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde LBAP 2004 and updated actions 2008 – 2011.

Project:

A potential early action from the Management Plan might be the production of a simple leaflet highlighting the history, wildlife and path network of the site. This could be used to encourage greater use of the site by out patients and others in order to improve health, fitness and well-being. Panels are not recommended for this site due to vandalism. However, an example of an interpretive panel produced for the Milngavie Reservoirs is given as this could help to give an idea of what might be included in a leaflet for the Coves Reservoirs.

Key audience/s: Local community groups, Inverclyde Royal Hospital, St Columbia’s High School, other current users, Strategic fit: Exact ownership to be confirmed. Owned by IC, Scottish Water, other?

Coves Reservoirs is an important ‘standing water habitat’ site as detailed in the East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Biodiversity Action Plan, 2004 and Update Report and Rolled Forward Actions for 2008-2011.

Lead organisation: LCG/IC and potential grouping of local people and community groups (Friends of Coves Reservoir) Potential partners: SNH, Historic Scotland, Strathclyde Police, Scottish Water, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Paths to Health. Some of these groups may also assist with funding of Management Plan and future projects.

Relative costs: Low - £3,000 - £5,000 Priority: High - to build on momentum of recent path improvements and to begin to deliver co-ordinated health and well-being benefits.

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Timescale Factors: None Site description: Coves Reservoir is a large site of about 44 hectares, located in a dip between the Inverclyde Royal Hospital to the south west and Lyle Hill to the east. St. Columba’s High School is to the immediate east of the reservoir and potentially could make good use of the site for geography, biology and other fieldwork.

Coves Reservoirs is the only Local Nature Reserve in Inverclyde and was designated in 1998. The main value of the site has been identified as its mosaic of habitats including open water, grassland and woodland. Several plant species have been recorded that are of regional interest including whorled caraway, stag’s horn clubmoss, northern marsh orchid, sheep’s bit scabious and greater butterfly orchid and signel. The later two species particularly important as they were mentioned in the list of actions in the LBAP update for 2008-2011.

The site also held a good variety of the more common waterbirds such as heron, mallard, moorhen and little grebe and has had records published as part of the Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) from 1985 – 2007. The sighting of a group of five immature goosander suggested they had bred near the site which was an encouraging development.

However, the Coves Reservoir area also has historical significance. Most obviously in the form of the remains of World War Two anti-aircraft battery in the north west corner of the site, just off Hilltop Road. The anti-aircraft site is listed by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS). The RCAHMS would need to be consulted on any proposals involving the anti aircraft site.

The site was also the location for a series of former copper mines.

The wider Coves site appeared to be well-used by local people, mostly dog walkers but also those walking and running for exercise along with the occasional bird watcher. The Inverclyde Green Network Study commented that the potential for accessibility was high. The paths would provide good locations for jogging and walking with some improvements.

However, the area suffers from vandalism with particular evidence of one of the old anti-aircraft emplacement buildings being used as a ‘drinking den’.

Previous signing that still exists is also in poor (vandalised) condition.

One possibility which could help to achieve the aims of the strategy and other wider, objectives is the formation of a ‘Friends of Coves Reservoir’ group. We would also recommend the production of a simple Management and Action Plan for the site as a first step towards better management and development of the site. This would also help deliver another of the actions from the LBAP update for Sanding Open Waters ‘Encourage local community projects that enhance open water biodiversity’.

The site would also make a great introduction for children and others to biodiversity and enjoying the outdoors.

SNH have no immediate plans for any interpretation at this site but have asked to be informed of any developments particularly where there is a biodiversity and

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community theme. Although SNH can no longer directly grant-aid projects with local authorities they may be a source of funding for projects led by constituted community groups.

History of Coves Reservoirs A useful background history of Gourock’s water supply can be found on page four of ‘The History of Gourock 1858-1958’ by Colin Milne. The references to the Coves Reservoirs are repeated below. The full text is available on the McLean Museum and Art Gallery website. This also links in well to the Strategy’s overall theme of water and the connections between the hills and hinterland of Inverclyde, the River and the settlements inbetween.

‘Among the earliest things the Burgh Commissioners did was to ensure a proper water supply for the town, and in 1861 ground was acquired at Coves for a waterworks, and in April 1862 the first Coves Reservoir was completed and the water turned on.’

‘This was quite an adequate supply for the population as it was then but by 1875 a growing population had made it necessary to increase the water supply and more ground was acquired at Coves for a second reservoir and a filter, and these began to function in February of the following year. In May 1889 a still further supply of water was taken from Larkfield.’

Further history of Gourock’s water supply This is also taken from Milne’s book and repeated below as additional background: ‘Some time before the First World War the town Council realised that although much had been done to provide an adequate water supply, the Burgh was expanding, and a further undertaking was necessary. Ground in the hinterland above Inverkip was chosen and the first sod of the Daff Burn Water Supply was cut on June 1914. This was to be a fairly long job, as the lying of the pipeline from the Daff to the filter house at Larkfield took about five years, and war years at that. Then on October 1919 the Daff Reservoir was opened. New filters were installed in 1924 and in 1936 still more filters and an underground tank in which a million gallons of filtered water could be stored were brought into use. Now Gourock was in the fortunate position of having a water supply which many towns might envy.’

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Photo: GOUROCK 01.1 - COVES RESERVOIR - Inverclyde’s first Local Nature Reserve has fantastic potential as a ‘green lung’ for local people and visitors.

‘Nature on Your Doorstep’ would make a great theme for this site Photo: GOUROCK 01.2 - COVES RESERVOIR - View below shows ‘standing open water’ habitat of the upper reservoir. Open water has been identified in the Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) as being of importance for numerous aquatic plants and mammals as well as providing feeding and roosting sites for birds and habitat for other species including fish and invertebrates.

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Photo: GOUROCK 01.3 and 01.4 - COVES RESERVOIR - The LBAP Action Plan states that standing open waters should be managed to maximise their potential as wildlife habitats, whilst balancing socio-economic needs and demands.

Their amenity and recreational value to the people of the area should also be taken into account. The close proximity of the Coves Reservoirs to the new St. Columba’s High School and Inverclyde Royal Hospital means the site is well placed to meet these needs and demands.

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Photo: GOUROCK 01.5 - COVES RESERVOIR - There is also historical interest including the remains of an anti-aircraft battery. The reclamation and interpretation of the battery would add to the story of Inverclyde’s role during the Second World War.

Photo: GOUROCK 01.6 - COVES RESERVOIR - However, the area suffers from vandalism with particular evidence of one of the old anti-aircraft emplacement buildings being used as a ‘drinking den’. Development and more active management of the site would help deal with this issue. Efforts should also be made to involve local young people with any clear-up.

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GOUROCK 02 – TOWER HILL LEAFLET Proposal:

To produce a simple leaflet about history and recreational opportunities on Tower Hill.

Objectives:

To tell the story of the geology, history and wildlife of Tower Hill To get young people actively involved in appreciating their local environment and heritage To bridge gap between generations

Project: An interpretive project geared to the High School curriculum with links to subjects such as history, geography and English. There is currently no interpretation on site. A leaflet is recommended rather than a panel as the site suffers from vandalism. Again, any interpretation structure for this site would have to be solidly built and easily replaced.

Interpretation at this site could include the geological story of the hill with reference to coal, copper and whinstone mining/quarrying. Also include reference to its use as an observation post and links to other World War Two sites and other interpreted sites that can be seen from the hill. Although the site is an obvious location for an annotated panoramic view panel such an installation is very likely to be vandalised.

We would therefore recommend a leaflet instead. Tower Hill could be one of a series of viewpoint/site leaflets or feature in a wider leaflet.

Key audience/s: Staff, pupils of Gourock High Schools, families and friends Strategic fit: Community pride Lead organisation: Gourock High School Potential partners: Gourock High School, Gourock Community Council, Gourock Times, McPherson Resource Centre Relative costs: Low - £1,000 Priority: Low Timescale Factors: Site description: Tower Hill also links in well to the idea of the connections between the upland area of Inverclyde, the River and the settlements sandwiched between.

The main paths round the site are tarred with roughly mown verges either side.

However, paths are but very steep in places and include long flights of steps coming up from Broomberry Drive.

Key thing about this site is the connectivity between ‘The River’ and ‘The Hill’ whilst many of the sites along the coast join together to form a wider waterfront experience there are relatively few links to higher ground overlooking the river in a ‘front to back’ manner.

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There are Inverclyde blue signs at Broomberry Drive and Fletcher Avenue access points.

The site suffers from anti-social behaviour and this discourages some people from visiting. A report in the Greenock Telegraph, 4th August 2009 describes these concerns and quotes the area as becoming ‘a no-go zone’ due to anti-social behaviour.

History of Tower Hill Several references to Tower Hill can also be found in ‘The History of Gourock 18581958’ by Colin Milne. These are incorporated into the paragraphs below. The full text is available on the McLean Museum and Art Gallery website.

The tower itself was erected by General Darroch in 1847 a place from which to view the scenery.

In about 1780 a copper mine was worked by an English company. The original search had been for coal, but on copper being discovered, the coal search was abandoned. Caves, old mine entrances, can still be seen under the tower on the north west side. Attempts have been made to prevent people entering and they have been made ‘vandal-proof’ by installing metal grills on numerous occasions by Inverclyde Council. However, the caves are listed and protected by Historic Scotland and consequently can’t be completely sealed.

Probably the chief industry in Gourock during the 19th century was quarrying. The main quarry, Craigmuschat Quarry, was at Tower Hill from which whinstone had been taken since about 1820. The whinstone was of good quality, and much of it went into paving the streets of Greenock, Paisley and Glasgow.

On May 13 1908, the Burgh Jubilee was celebrated, and to mark the occasion Chains of Office were presented to the Town Council by Mr. James Coats Jr. of the famous Paisley firm. There was ‘a pleasant ceremony’ on the Tower Hill attended by a large and representative gathering, many prominent Gourock people of the time being present.

The Royal Observer Corps used the tower during the Second World War. Gourock suffered twice from enemy aircraft raiders, in October 1940 and May 1941.

The Tower Hill was purchased by the Town Council in September 1945.

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Photo: GOUROCK 02.1 TOWER HILL - Key thing about this site is the connectivity between ‘The River’ and ‘The Hill’ whilst many of the sites along the coast join together to form a wider waterfront experience there are relatively few links to higher ground overlooking the river in a ‘front to back’ manner as shown here.

Photo: GOUROCK 02.2 TOWER HILL - Although the site is an obvious location for an annotated panoramic view panel such an installation is very likely to be vandalised. Tower Hill could be the subject of one of a series of viewpoint/site leaflets.

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GOUROCK 03 – CARDWELL BAY INTERPRETIVE PANEL Proposal:

To produce and install an interpretive panel. See rough draft on next page.

Objectives:

To focus on the local birdlife and recreational opportunities around Cardwell Bay.

Project:

To site an attractive interpretive panel at key location. Could be one of a series linking sites along Gourock waterfront.

Key audience/s: Visiting birdwatchers, walkers. Local people Strategic fit: Community Pride, Biodiversity, Environmental Education Lead organisation: LCG Potential partners: Gourock Primary School, Gourock Times, Cardwell Café, Gourock Community Council, IC Relative costs: Low - £2,000 Priority: Medium Timescale Factors: Site description: The outer bay is marked as Gourock Bay with the inner shore area exposed at low tide marked as Cardwell Bay. However, most local people refer to the both areas as Cardwell Bay. A minor road and pavement follow the shore and this route is popular with people out for a walk. There are also benches to sit on and usually plenty of interest to look at particularly ships on the River and birdlife. At high tide swans, gulls and ducks and at low tide a surprising selection of wading birds in relatively small flocks. An ornamental well sits across from the café. This well was one of several dotted along the waterfront. Unfortunately, no further information could be found. However, further research may yield some interesting details.

The ‘Coffee Shop’ provides a good selection of food and drink and is usually busy with locals and visitors. The café owners have maps on the wall along with a small number of old photographs of the local area.

Many people combine a visit to Cardwell Bay with an extended walk along the shore edge of Battery Park therefore any panel or leaflet design should take this into account.

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Photo: GOUROCK 03.1 - CARDWELL BAY - View looking towards Gourock Pier, the next potential site for interpretation. Note the metal fence which could be a useful structure to attach interpretive panel.

Photo: GOUROCK 03.2 - CARDWELL BAY - A surprising variety of shore birds feed in Cardwell Bay, often un-noticed by those walking by. An interpretive/ identification panel is proposed for this site. Note Lyle Hill in the background where further interpretation is proposed some of which will help to make connections between the coast and higher ground.

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GOUROCK 04 – GOUROCK ESPLANADE INTERPRETIVE PANEL AND ORIENTATION POINT Proposal:

To produce and install a panel about history of Gourock Esplanade.

Objectives:

To explain history of the Gourock esplanade To explain the role of the Clyde at this point To identify key features of the view

Project:

To research, design and produce an interpretive panel, possibly as part of a series. To ensure panel is sited and housed to give an attractive, well-used feature of the esplanade.

Key audience/s: Local residents and visitors Strategic fit: Identified as key site in Green Network Study, Listed as Core Path, Civic pride, Tourism Strategy Lead organisation: LCG Potential partners: Gourock Community Council, Gourock Times, Gourock Primary School, IC Relative costs: Low - £2,000 Priority: Low Timescale Factors: Site Description: Gourock Esplanade faces onto the Firth of Clyde and stretches from McInroy’s Point to Kempock Point (Gourock Pier). The Esplanade has limited off-road parking with roadside parking along some sections. However, this tends to be quickly parked up during busy weekends.

There is a large number of benches along the esplanade which generally give fine, uninterrupted views to the river and the hills of Argyll beyond.

In general, the esplanade is highly accessible due to the fact that it runs beside the main coast road (A770) connecting Gourock with Greenock. Parking and bus stops mean that motorised transport is straight forward. However, there are also wide pavements by the roadside and the esplanade itself giving a flat, level surface for walkers and cyclists. The esplanade is part of the National Cycle Network route 75 and has a separate ‘lane’ for cyclists. Access for those who have difficulty walking or have young children in prams is tempered as some of the benches are on raised grass, without provision for wheelchairs and buggies.

The esplanade allows the housing behind unobstructed views across the Firth, the site is also well maintained helping its ‘cared for’ image for passers-by. Facilities are strudy and well-maintained, with little evidence of litter.

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Although the size is a thin strip of modest size it does form an important part of the structure in Gourock and carries on the ‘by-the-sea’ image that was featured in a recent Sunday newspaper supplement.

The esplanade is very open with spectacular views that add to the experience of visiting the site and the sense of identity and place. Being part of a thoroughfare through Gourock the Esplanade fulfils another role and you almost get a sense of flowing along with the river.

This site is also described in the Inverclyde Green Network Study.

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Photo: GOUROCK 04.1 - GOUROCK ESPLANADE - A view that has not changed much from postcards of the early 1900s. A panel here would give orientation for visitors and explain something of the history of Gourock as a ‘seaside town’. Other sites along the coast could be shown along with connections to Tower Hill.

Photo: GOUROCK 04.2 - GOUROCK ESPLANADE - View towards McInroy’s Point.

An ideal location to install a panel describing the role of the River during wartime as it was off this part of the coast that many ships would be at anchor. McInroy’s Point itself could be a location for information about the wider Inverclyde area.

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GOUROCK 05 – GOUROCK PIER INTERPRETIVE PANEL AND ORIENTATION POINT Proposal:

To produce and install a panel about history of Gourock Pier.

Objectives:

To tell the story of Gourock Pier.

Project:

To involve local community in researching and designing panel and Orientation Point.

Key audience/s: Rail and ferry travellers. Local community.

Strategic fit: Link with interpretation at Wemyss Bay Pier and proposed interpretation at Princess Pier.

Community pride.

Lead organisation: LCG Potential partners: Network Rail, Gourock Community Council, Gourock Times, Gourock Primary, Gourock High School, Cal Mac.

Relative costs: Low - £2,000 – £5,000 (may be reduced by sponsorship)

Priority: High Timescale Factors: Once refurbishment works at Railway Station have been completed. Likely to be early/mid 2010.

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Photo: GOUROCK 05.1 - GOUROCK PIER - The pier and railway station area would be a useful location for wider orientation along with specific interpretation on the history of the rail and sea connections. Links could also be made to Wemyss Bay and Princess Piers.

Photo: GOUROCK 05.2 - GOUROCK PIER - Existing map at Oct 2009. Such a map could form the basis for a new or amended map highlighting the nearby interpreted sites with a short introductory text to encourage visits.

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GOUROCK 06 – GOUROCK SWIMMING POOL AND PAVILLION INTERPRETIVE PANEL Proposal:

To produce and install a panel about history of Gourock Swimming Pool and Pavillion

Objectives:

To tell the story of the growth of Gourock as a seaside town To give history of pool and its unique features To celebrate its refurbishment and the fact that it is the only one of its kind left in Scotland.

Project:

To research, design, produce and install panel at suitable entry location that can be viewed by users and non-users of the pool.

Key audience/s: Local community, visitors to pool Strategic fit: Community Pride Lead organisation: IC Potential partners: Refurbishment Contractor, Gourock Community Council, Gourock Times, LCG

Relative costs: Low - £3,000

Priority: Low Timescale Factors: Once refurbishment works at Railway Station have been completed. Likely to be early/mid 2010.

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SITE SPECIFIC PROPOSALS - GREENOCK GREENOCK 01 – BATTERY PARK INTERPRETIVE PANEL GREENOCK 02 – LYLE HILL INTERPRETIVE PANEL AND VIEWPOINT GREENOCK 03 – GREENOCK CEMETERY LEAFLET UPDATE GREENOCK 04 – GREENOCK ESPLANADE INTERPRETIVE PANEL AND ORIENTATION POINT GREENOCK 05 – OLD PRINCESS PIER INTERPRETIVE PANEL GREENOCK 06 – MURDIESTON DAMS LEAFLET GREENOCK 07 – AUCHMOUNTAIN GLEN LEAFLET GREENOCK 08 – CUSTOM HOUSE TEMPORARY EXHIBITION SPACE GREENOCK 09 – EAST INDIA HARBOUR, VICTORIA HARBOUR, JAMES WATT DOCK

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GREENOCK 01 – BATTERY PARK INTERPRETIVE PANEL Proposal:

To install an interpretive panel

Objectives:

There is scope for a panel that could also explain some of the historical stories of the Battery Park, particularly its role during the Second World War as a base for Catalina ‘flying boats’. The concrete slipway that served the base can still be seen and lies a few yards from the present day helipad, used by Helicopter Emergency Services (HEMS) when attending at the local hospital.

Key audience/s: Local people, visiting walkers and families Strategic fit: Community Pride, Lead organisation: LCG Potential partners: Ex-service association, Local Community Council, IC Relative costs: Low Priority: Low Timescale Factors: Site description:

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Photo: GREENOCK 01.1 - BATTERY PARK - This is a well-used site with its flat paths making it ideal for walking and cycling. A duplicate bird panel (see Cardwell Bay) could be installed if correctly orientated and given a ‘you are here’ arrow.

Photo: GREENOCK 01.2 - BATTERY PARK - This ‘pavilion area is a key arrival point for visiting school football teams and supporters. There is a great opportunity to tell the story of the former airbase for Catalina ‘flying boats’ and to highlight the nearby interpreted sites with a short introductory text to encourage repeat visits from families looking for a healthy and educational day out.

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GREENOCK 02 – LYLE HILL INTERPRETIVE PANEL AND VIEWPOINT Proposal:

To install an interpretive panel

Objectives:

To tell the story of the sinking of the Maillie Breze.

To highlight the importance of the River during World War Two. To highlight key features of the view.

To link with other interpreted sites

Project:

To research, design and produce a quality panel in a suitable housing

Key audience/s: Ex-service, local people, visitors especially those stationed in area during war, cruse ship passengers Strategic fit: Community pride, Heritage Lead organisation: LCG Potential partners: Free French Society or similar group if they exist. Royal British Legion, local Community Council, Historical Society, McLean Museum

Relative costs: Med £5,000 - £10,000

Priority: High

Timescale Factors: Site Description: The most notable structure on Lyle Hill is the anchor-shaped Cross of Lorraine, erected in 1946 in honour of the Free French sailors who were stationed in Inverclyde during the occupation of Europe in the second world war.

The site of the memorial is particularly poigent as it overlooks the river and the scene of one of the worst tradegies of the war. On 28th April 1940 the French destroyer Maillie Breze was sunk following a huge explosion caused by the misfiring of a torpedo on board.

Unfortunately, the site suffers from vandalism so panel and housing would have to be designed to high specification.

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Photo: GREENOCK 02.1 - LYLE HILL - The most notable structure on Lyle Hill is the anchor-shaped Cross of Lorraine, erected in 1946 in honour of the Free French sailors who were stationed in Inverclyde during the occupation of Europe in the Second World War. On 28th April 1940 the French destroyer ‘Maillie Breze’ was sunk following a huge explosion caused by the misfiring of a torpedo on board. Lyle Hill and the monument represent a very important reminder of Inverclyde’s strategic wartime role. There is a great opportunity to more fully tell this story to local people and the many visitors who could be attracted to this wonderful viewpoint.

Photo: GREENOCK 02.2 - LYLE HILL - View of the main car parking area. Note views not just out over the river but also to other sites of interest, Coves Reservoirs and Tower Hill.

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Photo: GREENOCK 02.3 - LYLE HILL - Possible location for interpretation and orientation. Particularly good location to highlight other interpreted sites to help ‘joinup’ sites. This photo shows Tower Hill, Gourock Pier, Cardwell Bay and Battery Park.

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GREENOCK 03 – GREENOCK CEMETERY LEAFLET UPDATE Proposal:

To ensure future updates of leaflet integrate with nearby sites and wider Interpretive Strategy

Objectives: Project: Key audience/s: Local people, visitors to cemetery particularly those looking for information on family history, cruise ship passengers Strategic fit: Heritage, Biodiversity Potential lead organisation: IC/ East End Advisory/ Inverclyde Tourist Group Potential partners: IC/ McLean Museum, Greenock Heritage Society, Greenock Telegraph, LCG, East End Advisory, Inverclyde Tourist Group Relative costs: Low - £1,500 Priority: Low Timescale Factors: When stocks of the recently updated Walkabout leaflet become Low. Site description: There was a description of the Cemetery in the Inverclyde Green Network Study.

The key points of this previous work from an interpretation point of view are as follows: The cemetery is a significant part of the landscape covering a large part of the southern slope of Lye Hill. It can be accessed from Forsyth Street, Inverkip Road and Bow Road.

The site has a number of wide tarmac paths and although located close to housing and accessible it remains enclosed and quiet. It is relatively easy to navigate and wander round. However, disabled access would be difficult due to the steepness of some paths but the site can be accessed by car or motorised scooter.

The cemetery is of a sufficient size to contribute to biodiversity and to support wildlife populations.

The site appears well cared for and has an important role in the history of Greenock and gives a strong sense of place.

Although we have not yet visited this site as part of our research we would make the following points based on the above description and possible links with sites that we have visited.

1. McLean Museum – Links with local names and industries.

2. Cruise ships passengers and other visitors – Links with those returning to the area in search of information about relatives.

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3. Murdieston Dams – There is a good view of the cemetery woodland from here adding to the principle of visual connectivity between sites.

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GREENOCK 04 – GREENOCK ESPLANADE INTERPRETIVE PANEL AND ORIENTATION POINT Proposal:

To install an interpretive panel

Objectives:

To tell the story of the Esplanade To highlight the rich architecture of the West End

Project:

Key audience/s: Strategic fit: Lead organisation: IC Potential partners:

Relative costs:

Priority:

Timescale Factors:

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Photo: GREENOCK 04.1 - GREENOCK ESPLANADE – This has to be one of the finest walks in terms of views and ease of access anywhere in the UK. However, it is astonishingly undersold with almost no orientation, information or interpretation.

Photo: GREENOCK 04.2 GREENOCK ESPLANADE – One of the unique features to be seen includes this buoy.

Investigation of the plaque reveals that this was ‘the first flashing Buoy to be installed to aid navigation’. It was installed by the Clyde Lighthouses Trust in 1880.

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Photo: GREENOCK 04.3 - GREENOCK ESPLANADE - Another of the features along the Esplanade. This has no explanation but it has suspected that further research would give a great story for on-site interpretation.

Photo: GREENOCK 04.4 - GREENOCK ESPLANADE – View towards Container and Cruise Ship Terminal.

Scope for encouraging cruise ship passengers to stay in Inverclyde and explore some of the area's maritime heritage.

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GREENOCK 05 – OLD PRINCESS PIER INTERPRETIVE PANEL Proposal:

To install an interpretive panel on the old railway bridge on Union Street

Objectives:

To tell the story of Princess Pier and its connections with Clyde Steamers and railway link to Glasgow.

Project:

The best form of housing would need to be agreed with Roads Authority and planers and Historic Scotland if bridge is listed.

Key audience/s: Returning people who lived in the area, railway and steamer enthusiasts, people whose relatives immigrated from the pier or those who could remember the railway pier in its heyday. There may be scope for investigating the feasibility of railway being used for ‘enthusiast specials’ and /or to get visitors to view events off the esplanade such as future Tall Ships events? Imagine arriving by steam train and then seeing a fleet of sailing ships!?

Strategic fit: Scope for routing visitors from Esplanade or Cruise Ship Terminal at Container Terminal Lead organisation: IC Potential partners: Clydeport, McLean Museum, Greenock Heritage Society, NetworkRail Relative costs: Low - £2,000 - £3,000 Priority: Low Timescale Factors: Site description: The bridge gives a good viewpoint over what is left of the railway link to Princess Pier. Some of the lines can still be seen as containers were transported by rail to be transferred to ships until the mid 1980s. There is a metal builders plaque on the southern side of the bridge on the opposite side of Union Street.

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Photo: GREENOCK 05.1 OLD PRINCESS PIER - The bridge over the railway that once terminated at Princess Pier. It is proposed to install an interpretive panel on the old railway bridge on Union Street to tell the story of Princess Pier and its connections with Clyde Steamers and railway link to Glasgow.

Photo: GREENOCK 05.2 OLD PRINCESS PIER - The bridge gives a good viewpoint over what is left of the railway link to Princess Pier. Some of the lines can still be seen as containers were transported by rail to be transferred to ships until the mid 1980s.

There is a metal builders plaque on the southern side of the bridge on the opposite side of Union Street.

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GREENOCK 06 – MURDIESTON DAMS LEAFLET Proposal:

To produce a simple leaflet about history, wildlife and recreational opportunities around Murdieston Dams.

Objectives:

To tell the story of the history and wildlife of Murdieston Dams To highlight the recreational opportunities around the Dams To get young people actively involved in appreciating their local environment and heritage To bridge gap between generations

Project:

An interpretive project geared to the school curriculum with links to subjects such as history, geography and English. There is currently no interpretation on site. A leaflet is recommended rather than a panel as the site suffers from vandalism.

Key audience/s: Staff, pupils of nearby schools, families and friends, local community Strategic fit: Community pride, Heritage, Biodiversity, Environmental Education, Health and Wellbeing. Adding more detail to walks postcards.

Lead organisation: LCG Potential partners: IC, local schools, Community Council, HM Prison, Greenock?

Relative costs: Low - £1,000 Priority: Low Timescale Factors: Site description:

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Photo: GREENOCK 06.1 - MURDIESTON DAMS -The dams are an attractive, site for people who live nearby. The paths around the dams are flat and well-maintained with the resident swans and other water birds adding interest to an afternoon stroll.

Photo: GREENOCK 06.2 - MURDIESTON DAMS - Unfortunately, the site suffers from anti-social behaviour and so fixed interpretation is not recommended. However, a simple leaflet with input from local schools and/or community would be worthwhile project with educational, health and community development benefits.

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GREENOCK 07 – AUCHMOUNTAIN GLEN LEAFLET Proposal:

To produce a simple leaflet about history and recreational opportunities

Objectives:

To tell the story of the geology, history and wildlife of Auchmountain Glen.

To get young people actively involved in appreciating their local environment and heritage.

To bridge gap between generations.

Project:

An interpretive project geared to the High School curriculum with links to subjects such as history, geography and English. There is currently no interpretation on site. A leaflet is recommended rather than a panel as the site suffers from vandalism. Again, any interpretation structure for this site would have to be solidly built and easily replaced.

Interpretation at this site could include the geological story of the glen with reference to use of water from burn for power.

Key audience/s: Staff, pupils of Schools, families and friends Strategic fit: Community pride, Heritage, Health and Wellbeing Lead organisation: LCG Potential partners: 7 1/2 John Wood Street, School, Community Council, Relative costs: Low - £1,000 Priority: Low Timescale Factors: Site description: Auchmountain Glen also links in well to the idea of the connections between the upland area of Inverclyde, the River and the settlements sandwiched between.

Key thing about this site is the connectivity between ‘The River’ and ‘The Hill’ whilst many of the sites along the coast join together to form a wider waterfront experience there are relatively few links to higher ground overlooking the river in a ‘front to back’ manner.

The site suffers from anti-social behaviour and this discourages some people from visiting.

History of Auchmountain Glen

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GREENOCK 08 – CUSTOM HOUSE TEMPORARY EXHIBITION SPACE Proposal:

To install a temporary orientation and interpretive display as part of the Tall Ships Event, Summer 2011

Objectives: Key audience/s: Strategic fit: Vital that this suggestion fits with ongoing planning for the Tall Ships event. Proposal may come to nothing but could help relieve visitor pressure at main event area at James Watt Dock. Also has advantage of being closer to central transport links.

Lead organisation: Riverside Inverclyde, Potential partners: Riverside Inverclyde, Historic Scotland, HM Customs and Revenue, LCG

Relative costs: Would need to know greater detail on proposed role but suggest avoid high costs given uncertainty. At this stage say £10,000.

Exhibition and other material may be able to be ‘recycled’ from other areas?

Priority: High?

Timescale Factors: To complete in time for Tall Ships event say end May 2011?

Site description: Although the main hub for the event will be the Sugar Shed there may be scope for the Custom House acting as a ‘sub-hub’ to cater for visitors arriving at the western end of the waterfront area and those arriving from Greenock Central Railway Station. The Custom House may also be able to house the temporary exhibition from the Sugar Shed on a more permanent arrangement once the buildings future becomes clearer. Also see description in Section Two.

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Photo: GREENOCK 08.1 - CUSTOM HOUSE TEMPORARY EXHIBITION - Display at former Glasgow Museum of Transport highlighting the number of yards that once flourished in Inverclyde. If Custom House not a suitable location then perhaps the Sugar House or other public space could be used to show similar exhibition.

Photo: GREENOCK 08.2 - CUSTOM HOUSE TEMPORARY EXHIBITION – Another example from Glasgow Museum of Transport. A similar model would also work well in the temporary exhibition. If not for Tall Ships then as part of the 300th anniversary of Scott’s Shipyard display at McLean Museum.

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GREENOCK 09 – EAST INDIA HARBOUR, VICTORIA HARBOUR, JAMES WATT DOCK Proposal: Objectives: Key audience/s: Strategic fit: Vital that this proposal fits with ongoing planning for the Tall Ships event. Proposal may come to nothing but could help relieve visitor pressure at main event area at James Watt Dock. Also has advantage of being closer to central transport links.

Lead organisation: Riverside Inverclyde, Potential partners: Riverside Inverclyde, Historic Scotland, HM Customs and Revenue Relative costs: Would need to know greater detail on proposed role but suggest avoid high costs given uncertainty. At this stage say £10,000.

Exhibition and other material may be able to be ‘recycled’ from other areas?

Priority: High?

Timescale: End April 2011

Site description: East India Harbour East India Harbour is one of the sites under-going extensive regeneration.

It is understood that there will be further work carried out to plan and install interpretation.

However, we give our own thoughts on interpretation at this site below and hope that some of these can be incorporated into future work.

Victoria Harbour Riverside Inverclyde has installed a pontoon for use by Ocean Youth Trust Scotland, which has relocated its headquarters to Inverclyde.

Other development at this site is a 550-seat theatre project. Following discussions with Greenock Arts Guild building work has already started and is due for completion in late 2011.

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James Watt Dock This is another of the key sites where regeneration work will take place over the next 12 years.

However, there are concerns that the current Masterplan for the site will simply bulldoze many of the existing heritage features worthy of interpretation away to create yet another sterile and characterless development making the mistakes of previous projects elsewhere in the UK. A recent BBC documentary ‘The Men Who Built The Liners’ which focused on the decline of ship building in Clydebank highlighted the problem of short-sighted development which failed to incorporate valuable maritime heritage features.

New Kids on the Block…

Black Guillemots had been nesting in the eaves of a waterfront building in Kingston Shipyard, Port Glasgow since 1979. This had been the first case of Black Guillemots breeding in such an industrial site. Unfortunately, the extensive regeneration of the derelict waterfront and the re-routing of the A8 meant that the building was demolished and the birds lost their nesting place.

However, compensation efforts are underway with 12 experimental nestboxes installed around the James Watt Dock in Greenock in 2008. This is a location where Black Guillemots have been regularly seen in summer. See the Summer 2008 edition of ‘Biodiversity Action’ for further details.

It is hoped that the current regeneration plans will ensure these attractive and interesting birds can still be accommodated around the Dock.

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Photo: GREENOCK 09.1 - VICTORIA HARBOUR The old dry dock with associated gates and fencing, Nov 2009. This photo clearly shows the potential for ‘front to back’ connectivity between the industrial heritage of the waterfront, the middle residential strip and the background hills.

Interpretation could show how the dry dock operated and why they were built.

Photo: GREENOCK 09.2 VICTORIA HARBOUR - Old mooring capstan. Such items should be preserved wherever possible as they add a great deal to the waterfront atmosphere and serve as a reminder of the harbours busy past.

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Photo: GREENOCK 09.3 - VICTORIA HARBOUR - Remains of extensive rail network that once served the harbour area. Great scope for interpretation here to show area’s importance for exporting and importing goods.

Photo: GREENOCK 09.4 - EAST INDIA HARBOUR - Another wonderful dry dock feature demonstrating the huge effort that went into the building Inverclyde’s harbours and docklands. Unfortunately, this feature is destined to disappear as part of the regeneration of the area. However, interpretation is one way to make sure that the area’s past is remembered.

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SITE SPECIFIC PROPOSALS – PORT GLASGOW PORT 01 – OLD KINGSTON YARD INTERPRETIVE PANEL PORT 02 – CORONATION PARK INTERPRETIVE PANEL PORT O3 – FERGUSON’S SHIP BUILDERS YARD INTERPRETIVE PANEL P0RT 04 – NEWARK CASTLE INTERPRETIVE PANEL PORT 05 – PARKLEA INTERPRETIVE PANEL PORT 06 – PORT GLASGOW ARTIFACT TRAIL LEAFLET PORT 07 – DEVOL GLEN LEAFLET PORT 08 – VIEWPOINT ON B788 AUCHMOUNTAIN ROAD

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PORT 01 – OLD KINGSTON YARD INTERPRETIVE PANEL Proposal:

To install an interpretive panel. See rough draft on next page

Objectives:

To tell the story of Kingston Yard To encourage greater use of waterfront path To make connections between new housing developments and the centre of Port Glasgow to encourage use of local shops and services.

Key audience/s: ‘Out of town’ shoppers at Tesco, local residents, Ex- shipyard workers Strategic fit: Lead organisation: LCG Potential partners: Trust Regeneration, Tesco

Relative costs: Low - £2,000.00

Priority: Low

Timescale Factors:

Site description:

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Photo: PORT 01.1 - KINGSTON YARD - The Tesco development in Port Glasgow was built on the site of former shipyards. There is huge potential here to tell the story of the yards to a new audience of people and encourage interest in local heritage.

Photo: PORT 01.2 - KINGSTON YARD - Another potential benefit of interpretation/information at this site is to tell people of the waterfront walkway and to encourage additional use for healthy family exercise.

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PORT 02 – CORONATION PARK INTERPRETIVE PANEL Proposal:

To install an interpretive panel. See rough draft

Objectives:

To tell the story

Key audience/s: Strategic fit: Community Pride, Heritage, Health and Wellbeing. Trust Regeneration have carried out research around development of the Park and produced a set of mock drawings showing results from community consultation.

Lead organisation: LCG Potential partners: IC, Trust Regeneration

Relative costs:

Priority:

Timescale Factors: Site description: Description -The following site description is based on that given in the Inverclyde Green Network Study as part of appendix 1 with addition observations based on the specific objectives of the Interpretive Strategy.

Coronation Park is sited between the water front and the A8 at the eastern edge of Port Glasgow. The park is of a significant size with a large informal play/recreation grass area, a children’s play park, planting and benches looking out onto the water.

There is also a jetty which allows boat launching and mooring.

The park is welcoming in that it is open with excellent natural surveillance and provides a good venue for informal recreation and social interaction, with a promenade style area for views over the Firth of Clyde.

The site is very open with access at numerous points; walkers can detour through the park and continue west to Greenock although there is no continuous route along the waterfront. It is also located close to tenement flats and other housing, there is an issue with access in that the A8 is a major road and difficult to cross, the road runs between the housing and the park. Being adjacent to the A8 does mean that there are bus services that stop beside the park. Within the park paths are of a good quality, being wide and paved. This helps to improve disabled access.

The park is evidently well-maintained and there is a low level of litter with appropriate bins provided. The play park facilities are in good condition and are closed off from the rest of the site. However, the goal posts and football pitch are in a state of disrepair. Attempts have been made to make the park welcoming with signage and

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flowers but this is not uniform throughout the site. Some of the signs are actually obscured by the planting and more care should be taken with the siting of future signing and interpretation panels.

The park is a significant size and very much part of the landscape of Port Glasgow.

It also provides a good ‘viewing platform’ not only for the obvious view looking out over the river to the hills beyond but also looking back towards the main bulk of housing of Port Glasgow terraced on the slopes of the town.

It is the main area of ‘greenspace’ for the town but offers little for biodiversity or wildlife. The site also has history as shown by the foundations of a bandstand but also an attractive well and interesting industrial artefact, an old steam hammer, see photo PORT 02.3. Resource use is efficient but there is further potential as outlined below: Possible subjects for Interpretation There is a fine view of the old Gourock Ropeworks building which should be the subject of interpretation either from the car park as part of a more general panel and/or a specific panel nearer to the building itself. There is a very interesting illustrated history of the building on the portglasgow4u.co.uk website. A shortened version of this is given below. The story of the mill fits in particularly well with the Interpretive Strategy’s overall theme of water and acts as a mid-point in between the hills and river as also highlighted in the brief history below: There had been the presence of Rope makers in the town since 1736. The Port Glasgow Rope and Duck Company. It was set up by a group of Glasgow Traders and their mill was situated where the Port Glasgow railway station now stands.

In 1797 they sold their mills and business to a rival firm The Gourock Ropework Co who had been in operation since 1777 and up until then had been operating from premises in Cove Road in Gourock.

The eight story building that was to house the mill was originally Richardson’s Sugar Refinery but in 1866 it was completely re-built to become the Bay Street Mill the façade of which is still able to be seen today.

The mill produced canvas and sailcloth as well as cordage, ropes and fishing nets.

The PS Comet was fitted with ropes made in the mill and the haswers for the Queen Mary in 1934 also came from the company.

The waterfall still runs off the hills behind Port Glasgow. The water was used to dye and treat the ships sails in the manufacturing process before being allowed to run down to the River.

The Company finally stopped trading from the building in 1975 which lay dormant until 2005 when work started to convert the building into a series of residential flats.

This should ensure that this iconic local landmark will remain a focus of Port Glasgow’s industrial heritage for many more years to come.

This site also has connectivity with other sites in similar situations that used water from the hills as part of an industrial process. This should also be mentioned in any interpretation at this and associated sites.

Could be used more by locals and visitors by improving crossing points on busy A8 and better advanced road signing to parking areas.

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Much more open and ‘friendlier’ than sites such as Kelburn Park.

Eider ducks off shore.

What was it before a park? Can still see tops of bollards sticking up.

Lighthouse story (but might take people into dangerous location along Mirren Place/Fyfe Shore lots of vehicle movements from repair garage yards and obvious ‘drinking den’. Pity as great view up and down river.

Buoy meanings and systems for navigation (examples as part of Artifacts Trail?)

Fountain to Elizabeth Inglis ‘who loved Port Glasgow’ erected by relatives in 1938 (link to other fountains in Inverclyde as part of water theme?)

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Photo: PORT 02.1 – CORONATION PARK - This is a welcoming and generally wellmaintained site. There is a fine view of the old Gourock Ropeworks building which should be the subject of interpretation either from the car park as part of a more general panel and/or a specific panel nearer to the building itself.

Photo: PORT 02.2 - CORONATION PARK - Attempts have been made to make the park welcoming with signage and flowers but this is not uniform throughout the site.

Some of the signs are actually obscured by the planting and more care should be taken with the siting of future signing and interpretation panels.

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Photo: PORT 02.3 CORONATION PARK An old steam hammer makes an interesting feature and acts as a rather lonely reminder of the work that went on around Coronation Park.

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PORT 03 – FERGUSON’S SHIP BUILDERS INTERPRETIVE PANEL Proposal:

To install an interpretive panel. See rough draft

Objectives:

To tell the story of the last yard in Inverclyde building ships.

Key audience/s: Strategic fit: Lead organisation: IC Potential partners:

Relative costs:

Priority:

Timescale Factors:

Ferguson’s Shipbuilders Between Newark Castle and Coronation Park is Ferguson’s Shipbuilders, the only construction yard still in operation in Inverclyde. Ferguson’s specialise in building small vessels such as tugs and car ferries.

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Photo: PORT 03.1 - FERGUSON’S YARD - Between Newark Castle and Coronation Park is Ferguson’s Shipbuilders, the only construction yard still in operation in Inverclyde. Ferguson’s specialise in building small vessels such as tugs and car ferries. Interpretation on the history of the yard could be incorporated into the wider Park area.

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P0RT 04 – NEWARK CASTLE INTERPRETIVE PANEL Proposal:

To install an interpretive panel

Objectives:

To tell the story

Key audience/s: Strategic fit: Lead organisation: IC Potential partners: Historic Scotland, Trust Regeneration, Newark Sailing Club

Relative costs:

Priority:

Timescale Factors:

Site description:

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Photo: PORT 04.1 - NEWARK CASTLE - There was a large sign with history of Newark Castle on one side of wooden shelter style housing. The other side was blank. Along with the history of the castle the sign also repeated the story of the timber ponds and wildlife of the River. This panel also highlighted the footpath link to Kelburn Park. However, the panel did not meet current good practice standards in terms of design and Disability Discrimination Act compliance and should also be replaced using a corporate style and repositioned nearer to the castle itself.

Photo: PORT 04.2 - NEWARK CASTLE - Brown tourist signing directed visitors from the main A8 road at Newark roundabout past Ferguson’s yard and into the site car park.

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PORT 05 – PARKLEA INTERPRETIVE PANEL Proposal: Objectives: Key audience/s: Strategic fit: Lead organisation: LCG Potential partners: IC, Trust Regeneration, RSPB Relative costs: Low (₤2,000)

Priority: Medium

Timescale Factors: Site Description: Remains of concrete loading area with loading bays.

Timber ponds potential school or training project. Make plans, models for exhibition at Port Glasgow Town Hall or other venue such as Trust Regeneration office?

Scope for many links with other parts of Inverclyde coast i.e. for various industries (comparison with timber ponds and Container Terminal) and birdlife (Cardwell Bay and Lunderston Bay) Links and connections should also ensure good orientation. Currently no effective signing to link various sites together but this could be overcome by a well-designed leaflet.

Parklea can be busy with football matches on some weekends.

Wider coastal path. Make into sections. Help to deliver Core Paths Plan.

Speak to RSPB before detailed proposals are finalised. Low Priority.

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Photo: PORT 05.1 PARKLEA - There is an existing metal panel on a red sandstone plinth. The text concentrates on the area’s importance as a feeding ground for wintering birds, particularly redshanks.

The panel also briefly describes the timber ponds. Also see photo 2.6.

Although the site is used by many local regulars it is also occasional visited by birdwatchers as it is one of the few places on this section of coast with vehicle access.

A replacement panel would be of particular benefit to visitors and would make a welcome ‘early action’ following improvements to the car park area.

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PORT 06 – PORT GLASGOW ARTIFACTS TRAIL LEAFLET Proposal:

To establish an artefacts trail

Objectives:

To celebrate Port Glasgow ‘s creativity by showcasing the town’s industrial and civic monuments.

.

Key audience/s:

Strategic fit:

Lead organisation:

Potential partners:

Relative costs:

Priority:

Timescale Factors:

Site Description:

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Photo: PORT 06.1 - PORT GLASGOW HERITAGE TRAIL - Photo of Port Glasgow Town Hall, a potential stopping point on a heritage trail leaflet. ‘Stories in Stone’ could be a theme or ‘Stone, Metal and Wood’ could link buildings, former shipyards, piers and timber ponds.

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PORT 07 – DEVOL GLEN LEAFLET Proposal:

Objectives: .

Key audience/s:

Strategic fit:

Lead organisation:

Potential partners:

Relative costs:

Priority:

Timescale Factors:

Site Description:

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PORT 08 – VIEWPOINT ON B788 AUCHMOUNTAIN ROAD Proposal:

Objectives: .

Key audience/s:

Strategic fit: Lead organisation: IC

Potential partners:

Relative costs:

Priority:

Timescale Factors: Site Description:

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SITE SPECIFIC PROPOSALS - KILMACOLM KILMACOLM 01 – KNAPPS LOCH INTERPRETIVE PANEL

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KILMACOLM 01 – KNAPPS LOCH INTERPRETIVE PANEL Proposal:

To install an interpretive panel near the main access point to Knapps Loch. See rough draft on next page.

Objectives:

To give confidence to visitors that they have access around the loch.

To show path around the loch.

To encourage visitors to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code To tell the history of the loch and its connections with Kilmacolm

Key audience/s: Strategic fit: Lead organisation: LCG Potential partners:

Relative costs:

Priority:

Timescale Factors:

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Photo: KILMACOLM 01.1 - KNAPPS LOCH – First View of Knapps Loch from the main entry point. Good location for interpretive panel on stone plinth.

Photo: KILMACOLM 01.2 - KNAPPS LOCH – Entry to fields around Knapps Loch.

Probably not best site for interpretive panel but may be suitable for seasonal/temporary SOAC information on topics such as lambing, ground nesting birds, clearing up after dogs, etc.

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SITE SPECIFIC PROPOSALS - INVERKIP INVERKIP 01 - ARDGOWAN ESTATE GUIDE BOOKLET INVERKIP 02 – INVERKIP BAY ORIENTATION POINT INVERKIP 03 – KIP MARINA / DAFF GLEN INFORMATION POINT INVERKIP 04 – LUNDERSTON BAY – ARDGOWAN POINT ORIENTATION AND INFORMATION POINT

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INVERKIP 01 – ARDGOWAN ESTATE GUIDE BOOKLET Proposal:

Objectives: .

Key audience/s:

Strategic fit:

Lead organisation:

Potential partners:

Relative costs:

Priority:

Timescale Factors:

Site Description: Ardgowan House and Estate Ardgowan, a late 18th century country house, is set in a 400 acre estate of farmland and mixed woodland. The grounds stretch down to the coast where they are bordered by the path that runs from the Kip Marina to the northern end of Lunderston Bay. Ardgowan has a long and significant history and is owned by the Shaw Stewart family and has been in the family for over 600 years. The lands of Ardgowan were given to John Stewart by his father King Robert III of Scotland in 1403. Robert III was Robert the Bruce’s great grandson and the estate has been passed down from father to son or uncle to nephew to the present day.

Over the years farming and forestry have been the traditional enterprises of the estate. However, as times have changed other businesses have been developed including Ardgowan Antiques, corporate entertaining and residential study tours in Ardgowan House. The home farm at Bankfoot has also been developed as Ardgowan Livery, offering livery services.

Ardgowan is famous for its snowdrops and has run very successful ‘Snowdrop Walks’ in aid of local charities. However, the 2010 walk was cancelled.

The Estate installed three interpretive/information panels at various points around the estate. Only one has survived probably due its close proximity to the house.

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Rather than a series of panels we would suggest an attractive guide booklet to Ardgowan Estate with a map of the path network, history of the House and Estate, information about current land use and wildlife to look out for through the year.

Depending on content such a publication could attract grant-aid support from SNH and others.

The Estate through its agents are looking at further ways to diversify including greater use of the estate for walking, horseriding and other countryside activities.

They have therefore asked to be kept informed of any opportunities for joint working on future interpretation projects.

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INVERKIP 02 – INVERKIP BAY ORIENTATION POINT Proposal:

Objectives: .

Key audience/s:

Strategic fit:

Lead organisation:

Potential partners:

Relative costs:

Priority:

Timescale Factors:

Site Description: Inverkip Picnic Site Situated just to the west of the main village this busy site is a popular day trip stopping point because of its easy access from the A78 and the views across the River.

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Photos: INVERKIP 02.1 and 02.2 - INVERKIP BAY - This site has an important position on the main A78 Clyde Coast Tourist Route. It is also popular with day trippers and local people. There is currently no interpretation or orientation. The site would make an ideal ‘Welcome to Inverclyde’ site to orientate, guide and direct visitors to specific interpreted sites. Any site specific interpretation should focus on the coast and highlight paths to Inverkip.

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INVERKIP 03 – KIP MARINA / DAFF GLEN INFORMATION POINT Proposal:

Objectives: .

Key audience/s:

Strategic fit:

Lead organisation:

Potential partners:

Relative costs:

Priority:

Timescale Factors:

Site Description: Kip Marina The Kip Marina car park is given as a starting point for walks to the nearby shore or the network of paths in Ardgowan Estate or the coastal walk towards Lunderston Bay. The Marina is also the starting point for the walk up the Daff Glen. Both the Marina and Daff Glen are featured on one of the Short Circuit Walks in Inverclyde postcards.

Daff Glen We have not fully explored this site on the ground. However, we suspect the walk up Daff Glen is used mostly by local people as we suspect that most visitors will be attracted by the walk to the shore.

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INVERKIP 04 – LUNDERSTON BAY – ARDGOWAN POINT ORIENTATION AND INFORMATION POINT Proposal:

Objectives: .

Key audience/s:

Strategic fit:

Lead organisation:

Potential partners:

Relative costs:

Priority:

Timescale Factors:

Site Description: Lunderston Bay – Ardgowan Point Lunderston Bay is located off the A770 coast road between Gourock and Inverkip. The main attraction is the sandy beach with grass area behind.

There is a large car park. The site has picnic facilities and coastal walk and is linked to the cycle network. However, the route towards Inverkip is on a narrow path and not to the standard of other sections of the cycle network.

The site is also described in the Inverclyde Green Network Study.

Although this site had an information board with information on water quality, seasonal information such as risk from jellyfish stings etc. there is no interpretation or basic orientation for visitors.

The Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park Ranger Service have revised and updated the Lunderston Bay Field Guide. This guide is principally aimed at teachers to give them pre-visit information, help identify the most commonly found shells, seaweeds and other seashore life and to assist with follow up work in the classroom.

CMRP currently have no plans for interpretation other than guided walks and school groups. However, should this change then a stone plinth structure housing an interpretive panel would be appropriate for such a coastal site with rocky

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outcrops. A well-constructed stone structure would also be less likely to be vandalised as fuel for fires.

Cardwell Garden Centre, on the opposite side of the road is also a major visitor attraction with a large restaurant and toilet facilities. We understand that many people combine a visit to both sites.

There may, therefore, be scope for some sort of joint venture with interpretation. For example, transmitting CCTV pictures of local wildlife into the Centre.

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Photo: INVERKIP 04.1 - LUNDERSTON BAY - This is one of Inverclyde’s most popular sites and attracts large numbers of local people and visitors to the area.

Photo: INVERKIP 04.2 - LUNDERSTON BAY - Existing information at August 2009 mainly related to water quality, tide times and responsible behaviour.

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Photo: INVERKIP 04.3 - LUNDERSTON BAY - Suggested site for future interpretation as this area already has various signing and ‘furniture’. Note signing for cycleway.

Photo: INVERKIP 04.4 - LUNDERSTON BAY - View to the south towards Inverkip Bay and Power Station. Interpretation at Lunderston Bay should complement proposed interpretation at Ardgowan and Inverkip Bay.

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SITE SPECIFIC PROPOSALS – WEMYSS BAY WEMYSS BAY 01 – WEMYSS BAY COMMUNITY WOODLAND WELCOME PANEL AND LEAFLET WEMYSS BAY 02 – KELLY GLEN WELCOME PANEL AND LEAFLET

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WEMYSS BAY 01 – WEMYSS BAY COMMUNITY WOODLAND WELCOME PANEL AND LEAFLET Proposal: A low key orientation panel and simple leaflet Objectives:

To give confidence to visitors that they have access around the woods.

To show paths through the woods.

To encourage visitors to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

To tell the history of the woods particularly the disused terraces and their connection with Wemyss Bay.

Project:

Key audience/s: Strategic fit: Community pride, Heritage, Biodiversity, Health and Well Being Lead organisation: Wemyss Bay Community Woodland Association Potential partners: LCG, Wemyss Bay Community Council, local landowner, neighbouring property owners

Relative costs: £2,500 - £3,000 for leaflet and panel total cost Priority: Med

Timescale Factors: Site description: The Wemyss Bay Community Woodland Association (WBCWA) recognised the woods potential and have been actively campaigning for improvements to the woods As part of the consultation process, Inverclyde Council, acting through Lower Clyde Greenspace commissioned a feasibility study on the proposed regeneration plans by Tennant Garmory, Environmental Consultants in 2002.

The draft report outlined the key issues with the woods such as damage caused by some motorbike users, vandalism and graffiti on trees and walls, litter and fly-tipping, choking of trees by rhododendron undergrowth, fallen trees blocking paths etc.

Of particular interest in the woods is the area along Cliff Terrace Road where a series of structured terraces and paths linked by stone staircases, along with the foundations of assorted glasshouses, ferneries and summerhouses have been discovered.

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The Inverclyde Green Network Study, Dec 2008, page 60 identified the development and installation of interpretation outlining the historic and cultural significance Wemyss Bay Woodland and the Terraced Gardens as a priority.

The site has been proposed as a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) and if designated would be the second LNR in Inverclyde with Coves Reservoir being the first.

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WEMYSS BAY 02 – KELLY GLEN WELCOME PANEL AND LEAFLET Proposal: A low key orientation panel and simple leaflet Objectives:

To give confidence to visitors that they have access around the woods.

To show paths through the woods.

To encourage visitors to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

To tell the history of the woods particularly the disused terraces and their connection with Wemyss Bay.

Project: Key audience/s: Visitors staying at Caravan Park, walkers heading to/from CMRP Strategic fit: Community pride, Heritage, Biodiversity, Health and Well Being Lead organisation: LCG Wemyss Bay Community Council Potential partners: LCG, Wemyss Bay Community Council, local landowner, neighbouring property owners Relative costs: £2,500 - £3,000 for leaflet and panel total cost Priority: Med

Timescale Factors: Site description:

See note for Kelly Cut.

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Photos: WEMYSS BAY 02.1 and 02.02- KELLY GLEN – There is little opportunity for traffic coming into Inverclyde from the south to stop in Wemyss Bay which is why it is suggested that Inverkip Bay is a better welcome and orientation point (see project Inverkip 04). However, there are some opportunities for interpretation in Wemyss Bay one of which is Kelly Glen the entrance to which is seen on the right of the photo below. This site could be further developed for use by visitors to the Caravan Park and day-walkers using the Glasgow railway line.

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SITE SPECIFIC PROPOSALS – RURAL INVERCLYDE RURAL INVERCLYDE 01 – TOPICS ASSOCIATED WITH LOCH THOM

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RURAL INVERCLYDE 01 – TOPICS ASSOCIATED WITH LOCH THOM Proposal: Objectives: Project:

Key audience/s: Strategic fit: Community pride, Heritage, Biodiversity, Health and Well-being.

Ensure co-ordination with existing interpretation in Cornaless Bridge Centre, Greenock Cut Interpretation Plan and displays in McLean Museum..

Lead organisation: CMRP Potential partners: LCG, local landowners, McLean Museum

Relative costs:

Priority:

Timescale Factors: Site Descriptions: Cornalees Bridge Centre Sluices inside or outside centre could have a small panel explaining how they operated.

Loch Thom See note for Cornalees Bridge.

Greenock Cut See note for Cornalees Bridge.

Kelly Cut See note for Cornalees Bridge.

Also scope for links to Kelly Glen and Wemyss Bay Particularly, opportunities for long distance walk using public transport to/from Wemyss Bay.

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Photo: RURAL INVERCLYDE 01.1 - CORNALEES BRIDGE - Photo showing sluices at start of Greenock Cut. Scope for interpretation giving detail of how the sluices worked and life of the watermen who looked after them.

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Section Five Appendices

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Appendix 1 References Selected list of existing site reports, strategies, surveys and other references with a link to the Interpretive Plan.

General Interpretive Planning Guidance ‘Interpretive Master Planning’, Veverka JA (1998) ‘A Sense of Place – An Interpretive Planning Handbook’, Carter J (ed) for the Tourism and Environment Forum (1997) ‘Provoke, Relate, Reveal – SNH’s Policy Framework for Interpretation’, SNH (1997) ‘What Have We Got and Is It Any Good? – A practical guide on how to survey and assess heritage interpretation’, Highland Interpretive Strategy Project (2000) ‘Signs, Trails and Wayside Exhibits – Connecting People and Places’, Trapp, Gross and Zimmerman (1994) National Policy Documents ‘Working with Local Communities – Caring for our Natural Heritage’, SNH (1999) ‘Local Nature Reserves in Scotland – A Guide to their Selection and Declaration’, SNH (2000) Documents with specific relevance to Inverclyde ‘Towards a Strategic Core Path Network for Inverclyde’, Land Use Consultants for Inverclyde Council (2005) ‘Routes to Regeneration’, Land Use Consultants for Inverclyde Council and partners (2002) ‘Inverclyde Green Network Study’, Land Use Consultants for Inverclyde Council and partners (2008) ‘Inverclyde Council Core Paths Plan’, Inverclyde Council (2009) ‘Community Learning and Development in Inverclyde 2008-2011’, Inverclyde Alliance (2008) ‘Local Biodiversity Action Plan for East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire and Inverclyde’, Inverclyde, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire LBAP (2004) ‘Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde LBAP Update Report and Rolled Forward Actions for 2008-2011’, Inverclyde, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire LBAP (2008) Also various leaflets, maps and guidebooks ‘Short Circuit Walks in Inverclyde’, Inverclyde Council (2009)

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Appendix 2 Acknowledgements We would like to thank all the organisations and members of staff who helped with comments and suggestions during the production of the Interpretive Strategy. A list of key consultees is given below: ADD LIST HERE

We also acknowledge various members of the public who, through informal questioning and observation on site, have also made a significant contribution to the plan.

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