Editing Helensburgh (section)

==History==
===History context (Prehistoric–1858)===
Although it has long been known that there are some prehistoric remains in the Helensburgh area,<ref name="ReferenceA"/> recent fieldwork by the North Clyde Archaeological Society has uncovered more.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.spanglefish.com/northclydearchaeologicalsociety/|title=North Clyde Archaeological Society &#124; Home|website=www.spanglefish.com}}</ref> However the oldest building in the town itself is [[Ardencaple Castle]] which was the ancestral home of [[Clan MacAulay]], and the history of which may date back to the twelfth century.<ref>Edward Randolph Welles: Ardincaple and Its Lairds (Jackson, Wylie & Co 1930)</ref> Today only one tower of this building remains, the rest having been demolished in 1957–59.
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 | caption1 = Sir James Colquhoun, who named Helensburgh after his wife

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 | caption2 =  Lady Helen Colquhoun (née Sutherland) after whom the town of Helensburgh is named

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In 1752 Sir James Colquhoun (died 1786), chief of the [[Clan Colquhoun]] of [[Luss]], bought the land which was to become Helensburgh;<ref name="ReferenceA"/> at that time it was known by such names as Malig, Millig or Milligs.<ref>[[Joan Blaeu]] (or Joannis Blaeu): Theatrum Orbis Terrarum sive Atlas Novus c1654</ref>

In 1776 he placed an advertisement in a Glasgow newspaper seeking to [[feu (land tenure)|feu]] the land, and in particular he stated that "bonnet makers, stocking, linen and woolen weavers will meet with encouragement".<ref name="ReferenceA"/> However his efforts were unsuccessful, partly because roads were rudimentary and also because the shore at Helensburgh made it unattractive to shipping – it was shallow, dotted with large rocks and subject to a prevailing onshore wind.

No precise date is known for the change of name to Helensburgh. However it was probably around 1785 when Sir James decided to name the town after his wife, Lady Helen Sutherland (1717–1791); she was the granddaughter of the 16th [[Earl of Sutherland]]. However, for a few years both the old and new names for the town were in use and it was also known for a time simply as the New Town. The town's [[coat of arms]] is based on those of the Colquhouns and the Sutherlands.

Helensburgh received its [[burgh]] charter from [[King George III]] in 1802.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> This was somewhat surprising, as the 1799 [[Statistical Account of Scotland]] indicates that Helensburgh only had a population of about 100 at that time.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/316356595|title=The Statistical account of Scotland, 1791-1799. vol. 9, Dunbartonshire, Stirlingshire and Clackmannanshire.|date=1978|publisher=EP Pub|others=John, Sir Sinclair|isbn=0-7158-1009-X|edition=New|location=Wakefield|oclc=316356595}}</ref> To commemorate the bicentenary of the [[burgh]] charter in 2002 many members of Helensburgh Heritage Trust combined to produce a special history book of the town.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> [[Henry Bell (engineer)|Henry Bell]] (1767–1830) had arrived in Helensburgh by 1806. By training he was a [[millwright]], but he had also worked for a period in a shipyard at [[Bo'ness]]. He probably designed and built the Baths Inn which he and his wife then ran as a hotel; he designed and built other buildings, such as Dalmonach Works at [[Bonhill]] in [[West Dunbartonshire]] (now demolished) and St Andrew's Parish Church in [[Carluke]] in [[South Lanarkshire]]. The Baths Inn later became the Queen's Hotel, and it is now private accommodation as part of Queen's Court at 114 East Clyde Street.

===''Comet''===
[[File:The_Comet_replica_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1058392.jpg|thumb|right|The working replica of the ''Comet'' is in [[Port Glasgow]]; it was built in 1962 for the 150th anniversary]] 
At that time the taking of baths (hot and cold, fresh water and salt water) was considered to be advantageous to the health. As a result of his initiative Helensburgh began to develop as a holiday resort, and Bell also served as the town's first recorded [[Provost (civil)|Provost]] from 1807–09.<ref name="ReferenceB">{{Cite book|last=Osborne|first=Brian D.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/37037301|title=The ingenious Mr. Bell : a life of Henry Bell (1767-1830), pioneer of steam navigation|date=1995|publisher=Argyll Pub|isbn=1-874640-31-9|location=Glendaruel, Scotland|oclc=37037301}}</ref>

When [[Henry Bell (engineer)|Henry Bell]] came to Helensburgh, roads to [[Glasgow]] were in poor condition and the journey by boat could take several days, depending on the strength and direction of the wind and on tidal conditions. Consequently, in 1812 Henry Bell introduced the [[paddle steamer]] [[PS Comet|''Comet'']] to bring guests from [[Glasgow]] in comfort and more speedily to his hotel. The ''Comet'' was the first commercial [[steamship]] in [[Europe]].

That this vessel and subsequent steamships could travel straight into the wind meant that Helensburgh's shallow shore line was a much smaller problem for sailors. As a result, the town began to grow from a population of about 500 in 1810 to 2,229 by the 1841 [[Census]]. It is difficult to overstate the importance of Bell in Scottish and British economic history; not only was he a pioneer of tourism, but it can also be argued that the later pre-eminence of the [[River Clyde]] in [[shipbuilding]] was in no small measure due to him.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ransom|first=Philip John Greer|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/796278962|title=Bell's Comet : how a little Scottish paddlesteamer changed the course of history|date=2012|publisher=Amberley|isbn=978-1-4456-0349-0|location=Stroud|oclc=796278962}}</ref>

===Railway revolution===
[[File:East Princes Street Helensburgh (geograph 5306254).jpg|right|thumb|The [[Municipal Buildings, Helensburgh|Municipal Buildings]] in Princes Street East]]
Following the arrival of the [[Glasgow, Dumbarton and Helensburgh Railway]] in 1858 the population of Helensburgh grew even more rapidly, reaching 5,964 in the 1871 [[Census]]. The [[Municipal Buildings, Helensburgh|Municipal Buildings]], designed by John Honeyman, were completed in 1879.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB34825|desc= 1 Princes Street East And 48, 50, 52, 52A Sinclair Street, Municipal Buildings |access-date=12 September 2021}}</ref>

[[Glasgow]] at this time was developing very rapidly as an industrial city, but this rapid growth caused it to become dirty, smoky and unpleasant. The railway meant that the wealthier business people of [[Glasgow]] could now set up home in the fresh air of Helensburgh and commute daily between the two places. This led to the expansion of the town northwards up the hill and the building of many substantial Victorian villas.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> The best known of these is The [[Hill House, Helensburgh|Hill House]] which was designed in 1902–03 by Glasgow architect [[Charles Rennie Mackintosh]] and which now belongs to the [[National Trust for Scotland]]. These parts of the town are laid out in the gridiron pattern, Helensburgh being an early example of a planned town in Scotland. 

In 1960 the line from [[Helensburgh Central railway station|Helensburgh Central]] to [[Glasgow Queen Street railway station|Glasgow Queen Street]] Low Level and on to [[Airdrie railway station|Airdrie]] was electrified with the then revolutionary new [[British Rail Class 303|Blue Trains]] providing faster, regular interval services.  Unfortunately, equipment problems led to the temporary withdrawal of the Blue Trains which did not return to traffic until late 1961. Since then traffic on this route has risen steadily, helped from October 2010 when two trains each hour commenced running right through to [[Edinburgh Waverley railway station|Edinburgh]] via the newly re-opened (and electrified) [[Airdrie railway station|Airdrie]]-[[Bathgate railway station|Bathgate]] line.

By the late 1870s the [[North British Railway Company]] (which had become owner of the [[Glasgow, Dumbarton and Helensburgh Railway]]) felt that its [[Steamship|steamer]] services were at a competitive disadvantage, because passengers had to walk from Helensburgh Station, through the town centre and down the pier, thus causing longer journey times. By contrast their competitors on the other side of the [[Firth of Clyde|Clyde]], the [[Caledonian Railway]] and the [[Glasgow & South Western Railway]] had stations right beside their piers. The North British therefore proposed to extend the railway line through the town centre from the station on to the pier.

This proposal split opinion in the town down the middle, with Parliament ultimately deciding against it. Consequently, the North British Railway Company decided to build its "station in the sea" at [[Craigendoran]] just outside the eastern boundary of the town, and this opened in 1882. Shipping services stopped in 1972 but Craigendoran railway station remains in use.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> In 1894 the [[West Highland Railway]] (a subsidiary of the [[North British Railway]] by then) was opened from [[Craigendoran]] junction to [[Fort William railway station|Fort William]], with a new station at [[Helensburgh Upper railway station|Helensburgh Upper]]. This new railway had no significant effect on the population of the town, but it did alter its appearance, with the construction of a substantial embankment up the hill from Craigendoran and of a deep cutting on the approaches to Helensburgh Upper.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

===World War I and II===

There are 205 men and 1 woman named on Helensburgh's war memorial in Hermitage Park. In 2020 the Helensburgh War Memorial Project published its researches and added a further 59 "missing names" to the list; all were men. It also gave a variety of explanations as to why these names were not on the war memorial.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.helensburghwarmemorial.co.uk/|title=Helensburgh War Memorial Project|website=www.helensburghwarmemorial.co.uk}}</ref> If the 1911 census is used, which recorded a population of 8,529, then it can be calculated that Helensburgh lost three percent of its population to the war. This is a particularly significant portion when it is considered that women, children, and elders, amongst other demographics, were not conscripted for the front line. It is thought that a similar number suffered serious physical and mental injuries.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> 

When the [[World War II|Second World War]] broke out in 1939 the British Government was concerned that [[London]] and other ports in the south of [[England]] would become the targets for German bombing. Consequently, they decided to build two military ports in Scotland which would be more difficult for German bombers to reach. In 1941 Military Port Number 1 opened at Faslane on the [[Gare Loch|Gareloch]], 5&nbsp;miles (8&nbsp;km) from Helensburgh. A railway was built linking Faslane to the [[West Highland Line]]. A vast tonnage of wartime supplies was moved through Faslane, and it was also used as a port for troop movements. Much of the area around Helensburgh was taken over by both British and American Armed Forces for a variety of wartime activities.{{Cn|date=September 2023}}

After the end of the War, Faslane was split in two. The southern half was used by the [[Royal Navy]] and the northern half for shipbreaking until 1980. In 1957 the Royal Navy closed its [[submarine]] base in [[Rothesay]] Bay and transferred it to Faslane. Six years later the British Government decided to buy seaborne [[nuclear weapons]] from the [[United States]] and to base them in submarines at Faslane which became known as the Clyde Submarine Base. This decision had a substantial impact on Helensburgh and the surrounding area particularly with the provision of housing for naval personnel. A further increase in the town's population resulted, it rising to 15,852 in the 1991 [[Census]].<ref name="ReferenceA"/> From 1996 surface vessels have also been based there, and this caused a change of the official name to [[HMNB Clyde|Her Majesty's Naval Base Clyde]].

===Recent history and regeneration===

[[File:Cherry blossom in Stafford Street.jpg|thumb|right|Cherry blossom in Stafford Street]]

In 1971, Helensburgh was given its first conservation area, covering The Hill House and Helensburgh Upper Station.{{Cn|date=September 2023}} This was joined in 1994 by The Upper Helensburgh Conservation Area, which includes architectural works by William Leiper and  Baillie Scott, and in 2019, by the Town Centre Conservation Area.{{Cn|date=September 2023}} 

In a 2006 survey, Helensburgh was shown to be the second most expensive town in which to buy property in Scotland.<ref>{{cite web|title=Aberdeen tops the table in Scotland|url=http://www.hbosplc.com/economy/includes/Scotlandposttownwinners2006FINAL.doc|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927215136/http://www.hbosplc.com/economy/includes/Scotlandposttownwinners2006FINAL.doc|archive-date=27 September 2007|access-date=23 May 2009}}</ref>

The town contains many tree-lined streets, and the [[cherry blossom]] in the Spring is a particular feature{{Cn|date=September 2023}}; a consequence is that the town has been referred to as "the Garden City of the Clyde".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sheen|first=Margaret R.|date=November 2007|title=HELENSBURGH. The "Garden City of the Clyde"|url=http://www.helensburgh-heritage.co.uk/pdfs/Garden%20City.pdf|access-date=24 May 2021|website=www.helensburgh-heritage.co.uk}}</ref> In 2016 the Helensburgh Tree Conservation Trust was invited to become a member of The National Tree Collections of Scotland because the range and quality of its street trees; at the time no other Scottish town had received this accolade.<ref>{{cite web|title=Helensburgh Tree Conservation|url=https://ntcs.org.uk/sites/helensburgh-tree-conservation-trust-street-trees/|access-date=17 February 2021|website=National Tree Collections of Scotland}}</ref>

In 2015, Colquhoun Square underwent a major redesign (as part of a wider redevelopment project that included the west esplanade) where parts of the square were pedestrianised. An integral part of this redesign was the creation of the award-winning Outdoor Museum,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.helensburghadvertiser.co.uk/news/14683295.helensburghs-outdoor-museum-scoops-top-award/|title=Helensburgh's Outdoor Museum scoops top award|website=Helensburgh Advertiser|date=15 August 2016 }}</ref> which consisted of the erection of 120 plinths, which over time would be gradually filled with items or replicas connected with Helensburgh's history and character, including a puppet's head used by [[John Logie Baird]] in his first [[television]] experiments and the ship's bell from [[Henry Bell (engineer)|Henry Bell]]'s [[paddle steamer]] [[PS Comet|''Comet'']].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://theoutdoormuseum.com/|title=The Outdoor Museum|website=The Outdoor Museum}}</ref> In addition, a number of brass plaques have been set into the pavements and these give a description of the condition of the streets of the town in 1845.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gia.org.uk/awards/2016/Helensburgh-Outdoor-Museum/439|title=Helensburgh Outdoor Museum – Design Awards 2016 – Glasgow Institute of Architects|first=Design by AftertheNews.co.uk; Build by|last=DKDO.co.uk}}</ref>

[[File:Helensburgh_%26_Lomond_Civic_Centre_(originally_Clyde_Street_School).jpg|thumb|right|Helensburgh & Lomond Civic Centre (originally Clyde Street School)]]

That same year, the previously derelict Clyde Street School reopened as the Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre of Argyll and Bute Council after significant renovations and the addition of both a new wing and public cafe. Displays from the collections of Helensburgh Heritage Trust can also be seen there.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scottisharchitects.org.uk/architect_full.php?id=200361|title=Dictionary of Scottish Architects – DSA Architect Biography Report (February 9, 2017, 5:19 pm)|first=David|last=Goold|access-date=7 February 2017|archive-date=8 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208040115/http://www.scottisharchitects.org.uk/architect_full.php?id=200361|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.helensburgh-heritage.co.uk/|title=Helensburgh Heritage Trust|website=www.helensburgh-heritage.co.uk}}</ref>

The Tower Digital Arts Centre, housed in the former St Columba Church on Sinclair Street, was converted in 2016 into a first release double screen cinema and arts centre for the town.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.helensburghboxoffice.com/|title=HOME|website=Toweronline}}</ref>

The West King Street Hall next door was converted and took on a new role two years later as the [[Scottish Submarine Centre]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=submarinecentre|url=https://www.submarinecentre.org/|access-date=2024-11-25|website=www.submarinecentre.org}}</ref> The Centre now houses the last (1955) [[Stickleback-class submarine]] built for the Royal Navy.<ref>{{cite news|title=X-51 is here! Helensburgh museum's submarine arrives in Scotland|url=http://www.helensburghadvertiser.co.uk/news/14731591.X_51_is_here__Helensburgh_museum__39_s_submarine_arrives_in_Scotland/|access-date=12 September 2016|work=Helensburgh Advertiser|date=9 September 2016}}</ref>

In 2016 proof was found that a building long suspected of having been designed by [[Charles Rennie Mackintosh]], was actually his work. It was built as the Helensburgh & Gareloch Conservative Club, and the top floor only of this large building is now known as the Mackintosh Club. <ref>{{cite web|title=New era for Mackintosh gallery| date=7 November 2016 |url=https://www.helensburgh-heritage.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1355:new-era-for-mackintosh-gallery&catid=81:the-arts&Itemid=458
|access-date=13 September 2023}}</ref> It is located in the town centre at 40 Sinclair Street. 

Three years later, Helensburgh's other Mackintosh work, the Hill House, became enclosed in a protective structure, known as "The Box", a cautionary measure intended to slow down damages caused by damp penetration by allowing for the building to dry out. The design of The Box is notable for its chainmail mesh walls  as well as the internal walkways that allow visitors to view Hill House's exterior from elevated viewpoints.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hill House Box|url=https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/the-hill-house/highlights/hill-house-box
|access-date=13 September 2023}}</ref>

In June 2021, a pavilion was added to Hermitage Park, marking the end of a four-year project. The Park Pavilion is a [[Passivhaus]] design, believed to be the first non-domestic Passivhaus building in Scotland.

In October the following year, a £22 million leisure centre was officially opened on the Helensburgh pier, replacing the previous swimming pool which had closed two months prior.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Borland|first=Craig|date=2022-10-13|title=
Ross Murdoch officially opens Helensburgh Leisure Centre|url=https://www.helensburghadvertiser.co.uk/news/23045196.ross-murdoch-officially-opens-helensburgh-leisure-centre/|access-date=2023-09-12|website=Helensburgh Advertiser|language=en}}</ref> The building's roof was heavily damaged by [[Storm Éowyn]] in January 2025.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.stv.tv/west-central/helensburghs-22m-leisure-centre-roof-torn-apart-in-extreme-storm-eowyn-winds | title=£22m leisure centre's roof torn apart in extreme Storm Eowyn winds | date=24 January 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0qw88kjk8go | title=Drivers injured and power cuts as Storm Éowyn hits Scotland | date=24 January 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://thelochsidepress.com/2025/01/24/helensburgh-leisure-centre-damaged-by-storm-eowyn/ | title=Helensburgh leisure centre damaged by Storm Eowyn - the Lochside Press | work=The Lochside Press | date=24 January 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/weather/in-pictures-storm-eowyn-scotland-4959291 | title=Storm Eowyn in pictures: 27 dramatic images as Scotland battered by 100 MPH winds | date=24 January 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.helensburghadvertiser.co.uk/news/24883195.storm-eowyn-photos-helensburgh-damage-high-winds/ | title=Storm Éowyn in pictures: How Helensburgh is weathering dangerous winds | date=24 January 2025 }}</ref>