Clydebank

A brief look at Clydebank, visiting the site of John Brown's shipyard, the Titan Crane, the Forth & Clyde Canal and the museum.

[@johnbankes8483]

Ed I need to correct you on one point. You said nobody wakes up and says they want to visit Clydebank. Actually 2 people did. Me, and my 85 year old Dad. Weirdly we both want to stand on the spot where Lusitania, Hood, QM, QE, Britannia and QE2, to name a few, came to to life. Regardless of how run down it is now, it will be an honour to stand where such mastery and hard work happened. We are not Scottish, we are Scouse, so we love our ships. My Grandad knew Lusitania well and loved her. I remember him telling the story of the day she didn't come home. So it is our post lockdown treat - we're coming up in the next few weeks and hope to be able to visit the museum and go up Titan.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Hi John. Whenever you intend to visit Clydebank make sure and check the web for opening times of both the museum and the Titan so they are open when you arrive. I haven't checked but I think they've cut back on the Titan hours and it's not always open. The museum also closes certain days of the week. Also, given Covid, many things are still not open at all. Check the web. All the best.

[@colinriley123]

I too am not Scottish, but grew up in London when the river was full of ships. I agree with you. I visit Glasgow and it is........... an honour to stand where such mastery and hard work happened!

[@endlessdelirium213]

I used to work in a shop in the shopping centre years ago, and many of those who came in said they preferred this centre over Braehead, or even Glasgow itself. They'd come all the way over from the south side specifically. I'm glad you did a more recent video about Clydebank. It has flaws, but there's a lot that's good about it as well.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks for that. My videos have flaws of their own! Clydebank is on the right track. Take care.

[@endlessdelirium213]

@@EdExploresScotland Enjoyed your video of the Kilpatrick hills too, lots of interesting features and tracks up there to explore. They were a life saver for us locals during the many lockdowns!

[@charlie1872]

I worked I’m Brown’s and participated in the Work In as the Drawing Office Rep at that time and met regularly with Jimmy Reid. I left in 1973 and it is a shame that a better record of the Yard’s history was not made, other than the content of the museum. Good effort to help fill the gaps

[@eileanvm]

The awful bleakness and sadness of Clydebank shows in on your face in this one Ed. And how rotten to have the 'flu on such a dreary, wet day! The shipyards must have covered such a long stretch of the Clyde, and it must have been incredible in it's heyday. Where I spent the second half of my childhood, (near Partick), the Fairfield Horn was our daily timekeeper. Whole communities lived by the sound of those horns, back then I'm sure. The long gaps where tenement buildings were destroyed in the 'Blitz' always makes me sad. My maternal grandmother lived in Riddrie / Blackhill during WW2, which is fairly high up to the north east, overlooking the city. She used to speak of the war often, and remembers seeing and hearing the German bombings of Clydebank. Seeing, as in - the sky to her south / west was completely lit up, and hearing the endless thud, thud of the bombs landing. I watched a compelling BBC documentary on the destruction of Clydebank, years ago now, which could be amongst these : kzbin.info?search_query=bbc+documentary+on+clydebank+blitz

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks Eilean. I was certainly not in the best of physical condition that day, which probably added something to the feel of the video. I think I came close to shedding a tear towards the end.

[@MultiDrew83]

Cracking wee video Edd, its interesting to see how your more recent videos have evolved...

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers. 👍

[@alastairfinn1305]

Where the chippy boat is there used to be a branch off the canal towards the Clyde, You can still see the line of it via the walkway underpass. The bandstand in three queens square was originally in whitecrook park and was moved.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Hi Alastair. Funny you should mention that, but I had spotted it and made a note to explore further. On one old OS map it is labelled the 'Forth and Cart Junction Canal'. The following link will take you to the National Library of Scotland's page showing just that: maps.nls.uk/view/74942015

[@EdExploresScotland]

I have a memory that sees me standing near a tiny newsagent waiting on my Dad emerging from the gates. He worked in John Browns. Spark. He had a stiff leg, brought about through TB. Disabled men were allowed to exit the gate five minutes before everyone else so as not to get trampled in the rush.

[@SurreyDocksFarm]

Aye. I remember the yard hooter going, and a tide of men in blue boiler suits emerging. Many of them to go into Connelys Bar just over the way.

[@SurreyDocksFarm]

Why did Clydebank allow historic pubs like Connelys and the Seven Seas with it lovely etched glass windows to be swept away? Billy Connoly drank in Connelys. The Seven Seas would have been a wonderful heritage building.

[@raeknock9084]

I was born in Clydebank and can remember the surge of men leaving at lunch time and after 5 at night was scary lol.I wish i could turn the clock back to the old Clydebank i knew my home town...

[@Faliat]

I don't think it would make sense to expect many old things around when most of the town was flattened over 2 nights in 1941. But the town definitely hasn't kept much of its own history alive that survived the onslaught. Which is one of the tragedies of having grown up there, reading the signs saying "proud past, dynamic future" and seeing people battle to not wipe out that past in vain. The same past that the dynamic future could have been built upon.

[@kyotocoversjimanderson782]

Very interesting. My mother and brother-in-law both worked in Singers.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Singers sowing machines still exist all over the world, it's just such a shame that absolutely nothing of the factory is left. The museum in Clydebank is definitely worth a visit.

[@digitalimager4946]

Bitter sweet.

[@aesthxticbishh9664]

Very interesting but idk what singers was because I’m 13 so :/ and this is an amazing video , keep videoing

[@muckeyduck3472]

Sir, at the onset of WWII, my dad's ship made a trip to Scotland/England. He recounted to me that their ship visited Clydebank. He said, I saw where they built and launched the big ships, and was amazed that the slip seemed no more than a large ditch. I remember from his expression that this astonished him. I have endeavored to find this spot, and cannot. Now, either he got confused when he said this, or I am confused, because I swear I thought he mentioned "where Titanic was launched, but I know that was not at Clydebank., and it's possible he could have meant the Queen Mary, and Queen Elizabeth. Can you think of a location that he may have been talking about? Thank You. P.S. I was reading where Clydebank was the second most area bombed by Germans during during WWII, and about how the singer plant was destroyed, killing many people. The world should long remember your areas sacrifice against tyranny.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Many thanks for your question. Huge ships like the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth were built and launched at John Brown's shipyard in Clydebank, which is essentially right where I was walking in the video beside the River Clyde and that large blue crane. Not sure about the large ditch; with varying river levels bits of the riverside can look different at various times. My father worked there, along with many others. This link will give you some information on John Brown's shipyard: www.clydewaterfront.com/clyde-heritage/clydebank/john-brown's-shipyard While this link will give you additional information, with pictures of the shipyard: canmore.org.uk/site/43082/clydebank-kilbowie-john-browns-shipyard If you click the 'images' tab, then each image, you are able to zoom in on any image. Take care, Ed.

[@junejackson7958]

Drukit a wet person my daughter has a house on the flight path in clydebank and once a plane blow some roof tiles of her house and two others the bronze head it in memory of the polish workers during the war, T he library has a fantastic stained glass wall as you enter it is worth a look it represents clydebank very modern

[@SurreyDocksFarm]

Edward, the bandstand is from Whitecrook Park. Surely you knew that?

[@EdExploresScotland]

I didn't. Thanks very much. I had one seriously bad cold when I did that video. I'm kinda surprised I even knew what time of day it was!

[@SurreyDocksFarm]

Edward, Whitecrook Park is a shadow it itself. I havent been there in years mind.When I was a child, my Mum would let us go down to see the band playing in the bandstand on Sundays.The 'yachtie pond' was a huge pond ringed by a concrete wall. The local model boats club would come and sail their yacht and warship models on there. I guess this is part of Clydebands shipbuilding heritage.The pond was NOT for local children to swim in.Later on I remember that during the winters the pond was drained of water. But someone let the tap open and we went sliding on the ice.There was a smaller paddling pool for toddlers, down where the swings are.I also remember playing tennis (badly) on the tennis courts. There was quite a smart wooden tennis pavilion. Replaced by some ugly concrete blocks which are now themselves probably gone.

[@diggmore1362]

Threre is nothing left of Beardmores yard just next door to Johnbrowns even the fitting out basin has been filled in

[@garymcmillan4177]

I grew up their and remember that basin,if I'm correct it's now where the hospital is? Used to cycle down their in the 80s to sit and have a fly cigarette before my mum knew I smoked lol🤣Funny thing is I've been away for 30yr now and I still visit that spot for a ciggy but on a motorbike now.

[@diggmore1362]

@@garymcmillan4177 it must of taken literally thousands apron thousands of tons of material to fill it in I believe it’s size was about 7.5 acres not sure how deep but probably 30 feet ?

[@EdExploresScotland]

One of the tenements on Dumbarton Road has a carving on the front. I think it was built for the Beardmore workers.

[@diggmore1362]

@@EdExploresScotland yes I’ve seen those some years ago walking from dalmuir to Clydebank. Not a lot left of a huge concern

[@garymcmillan4177]

@@diggmore1362 yeah. I recall where the little play park beside the hospital is now ,is where the basins where. I also remember my brother taking me through the old yard building before demolishin. Would be called urban exploring nowadays lol.

[@hamishmacdonald6997]

Think dreich is the word ye're looking for at 5:50, or maybe drookit.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Dismally dreary drizzle.

[@hamishmacdonald6997]

@@EdExploresScotland Definitely, doonpour, deluge, dank and decidedly dour.

[@KDMAC82]

It is strange at the complete lack of preservation on history at the former John Brown's shipyard. I see now they are building budget houses on the former world powerhouse sight. In many ways a sad reflection on what Scotland was, to what it has become, a world leading manufacturer to a benefits supporting and scrounging wasteground.

[@MrScotia]

What a terrible comment to make. The Titan crane is open to the public and offers an insight into John Browns proud heritage. What else would you like to have been kept? Empty sheds full of pigeons? As for scroungers and budget housing...would you rather see expensive penthouses and gentrification on the site?

[@hamishmacdonald6997]

Cheeky bastart.

[@bellamia5899]

Toxic wasteland.

[@gerrymaxi6681]

Don't give up your day job with the tourist board. What an ambassador you are.

[@EdExploresScotland]

LOL.

[@alanoneill3065]

The area along the Clydeside where Browns was located is now a desolate windy, soulless place. Town Planners should be ashamed

[@EdExploresScotland]

We don't seem to be making good use of our urban riversides. Same here in Glasgow where there is a total lack of riverside cafes and bars. Nothing nicer than sitting by water.