Innellan
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2011) |
| Innellan | |
|---|---|
 The Osbourne Hotel, Innellan | |
  Innellan Location within Argyll and Bute | |
| Population | 1,140 (2022)[1] |
| OS grid reference | NS 14500 70200 |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area |
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| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | DUNOON, ARGYLL |
| Postcode district | PA23 |
| Dialling code | 01369 |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament |
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Innellan is a village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, on the western shore of the Firth of Clyde. It is four miles south of Dunoon.
History
The origin of the name "Innellan" is obscure. The village was developed as a holiday destination in Victorian times on the site of a smaller and older farming settlement, and the first steamboat pier was built in 1851.[2][3] With a resident population of around 1,000, growing to many more in summer, Innellan found prosperity as one of many seaside resorts along the shores of the Firth of Clyde serving tourist traffic primarily coming from the city of Glasgow further upriver, travelling on Clyde steamers.
Notable people
- George Paton, recipient of the Victoria Cross
- John Thomas Rochead lived here briefly in 1871
- David Richie, Famous sexual predator
Decline
This prosperity started to fade in the 1960s with the increasing availability of foreign holidays to the general public. Competing against resorts in Europe that enjoyed Mediterranean climates, the popularity of all the Clyde seaside resorts fell.
It was around this time that an American naval base in the nearby Holy Loch was established, providing some aid to the local economy, although being controversial. The base was withdrawn in the 1990s.
The village's most striking landmark from its heyday as a seaside resort - the large Royal Hotel that overlooked the pier - was destroyed by fire in 1981 and the site has yet to be redeveloped. The entrance gates to its former site on Pier Road still show the sign for the hotel. Innellan's pier, which passenger steamers regularly called at whilst the area was booming, was extended in 1901 but finally closed in 1972 in response to reduced usage. After falling into increasing disrepair, it was fully dismantled in the mid-1990s.[citation needed]
Primary school
Innellan Primary School was established in 1868.[4]
Churches
Innellan once had four churches; two Church of Scotland, one Free Church and one Episcopal. Two of them still stand; the former West Church is now converted to a house, and the remaining (and still functioning) church was the charge of the Reverend Dr George Matheson, the blind minister who wrote the hymn "Oh Love that wilt not let me go."[4] Although it is commonly believed that he wrote this hymn after he had been jilted by his fiancée, the truth is that he composed the hymn after experiencing a personal crisis.
The only history of Innellan ever printed was written by the Rev John Hill, minister of the West Church, in 1950.[4] It is now out of print, and was somewhat preoccupied with religious affairs.
Innellan today
Innellan, along with nearby Dunoon, has in recent years attempted to reclaim its role as a tourist destination. Nowadays its appeal lies more in its being a pleasant and tranquil place of retreat, and as a potential location from which to commute to Glasgow or Dunoon.[citation needed]
Innellan boasts very impressive views across the Firth of Clyde, stretching from Kilcreggan and Loch Long (looking north) to Cumbrae Head and Ailsa Craig (looking south). There is a local golf club, with a 9-hole course on the hill.[citation needed]
The village's strip of shops (which once numbered fourteen) has now been reduced to just the Post Office. There are two pubs in the Village, The Osborne Bar/Restaurant/B&B and The Villagers Royal but other services are provided by the nearby town of Dunoon, which is linked by a bus service.[citation needed]
References
- ^ "Mid-2020 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities in Scotland". National Records of Scotland. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
- ^ Williamson (1902). Clyde Passenger Steamers 1812-1901.
- ^ "News Archive: £320,000 on travellers' toilets". Dunoon Observer. 30 June 2006. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
- ^ a b c Hill, Rev. John (1950). Innellan. Church of Scotland Hymnary.
External links
- Map sources for Innellan
