Garelochhead, originally in Dunbartonshire, now in Argyll and Bute, developed from the 1820s after the introduction of
Clyde steamer services, which brought families to dummer villas, and day trippers, notably during the
Glasgow Fair holiday.
Tourism was boosted with the opening of the West Highland Railway line to
Fort William in 1894. Garelochhead Forest lies to the south. In 1854 there was a great dispute that became known as the
Battle of Garelochhead fought between the locals, led by Sir James Colquhoun, and the passengers of the steamer Ship "Emperor". The trouble started when Colquhoun did not want trippers on the sabbath day. The battle was eventually won by the passengers, but undeterred Colquhoun took his case to the courts who subsequently banned sailings on Sundays. Garelochhead was a summer destination for people from
Glasgow who would arrive from the Gare Loch and spend time in one of the Garelochhead hotels. To he south, at nearby
Faslane Bay, Military Port No.1 was constructed during World War II, and postwar became the Clyde Submarine Base, since renamed
HMNB Clyde. Garelochhead was extended as workers settled in the area. Following transport advancements, holidaymakers stopped coming to Garelochhead. During the 1990s, two of the town's hotels, The Dahlandui and Garelochhead Hotel, burnt down in fires. In the last ten years, due to lack of attendance the local
Roman Catholic Chapel has closed down with Garelochhead Parish
Church of Scotland Kirk in the town holding a combined congregation of both
Protestant and
Catholic. The Gibson Hall is commonly used as headquarters for cycle races around the
Coulport peninsula, such as the Scottish Cycling national road race that was organised by
Lomond Roads Cycling Club..
Garelochhead Training Area is a military training facility located nearby. == References ==