Scotland > 1882-1915 - Slater's Royal National Commercial Directory of Scotland > 1886 - Slater's (late Pigot and Co's) Royal national commercial directory and topography of Scotland

DUMBARTONSHIRE
SLATER'S
BONHILL,
ALEXANDRIA, BALLOCH, JAMESTOWN, KILMARONOCK, RENTON
BONHILL is a thriving little town, in tbe parish of its name, 61
miles w. from Edinburgh, 18 n.w. from Glasgow, 3 n. from
Dumbarton, and within one mile of the beautiful and celebrated
Loch Lomond ; situated on the east side of the Leven, and connected
with Alexandria by an iron suspension bridge. Very considerable
business is doue here in calico-printing; and it is altogether a
prosperous little place. The town consists of one long and toler-
ably well-built street; about the centre of it, on the margin of the
Levan, stands the parish church, a fine building, of Gothic archi-
tecture, with a square tower, containing a handsome clock. It was
finished in 183f>, at an expense of nearly £3,000, and contains about
twelve hundred sittings. A free church, erected in 1844, is au
elegant building of red freestone, with a tapering spire, at the
present. time (1885) undergoing restoration. It occupies a com-
manding site, a little to the south of the parish church. On a
gentle eminence near the new bridge is an United Presbyterian
church, erected in 1830. In 1836 a fine suspension bridge of iron
was thrown over the Leven ; the span is 438 feet, and its cost, with
the approaches, £2,200, which was defrayed by Captain Smollett,
ofBonbill. The inhabitants have made attempts to do away with
the charge for crossing (one halfpenny), but have failed. The land
on both sides of the Leven is in a high state of cultivation, which,
together with respectable residences and recent improvements and
erections, impart to this place an appearance highly prepossessing.
A fair is held on the first Thursday in February for horses. Popu-
lation of the town in 1881, 2,940.
Balloch is situated at the south end of Loch Lomond, and about
a mile north-west from Bonhill ; it is the terminus of the North
British Railway. In 1842, Sir James Colquhoun, Bart., of Luss,
erected an elegant suspension bridge across the Leven water,
previous to which passengers were greatly inconvenienced by the
ferry then in ubo. This bridge is twenty miles from Glasgow, by
Rentou and Dumbarton, but by avoiding the latter place and pass-
ing through Bonhill the distance is reduced to eighteen miles.
Balloch Hotel is beautifully situated at the foot of the " Queen of
the Scottish Lakes," and at an easy distance from the railway
station. A fair is held at Balloch on the Tuesday before the last
Wednesday in April for cattle, and on the 15th of September for the
sale of horses— the latter being the largest fair in Scotland. Popu-
lation in 1881,112.
Kilmaronock is a small parish adjoining that of Eonhill, and is
situated about 5 miles north-east of that village. It contains
nothing worthy of note but the parish church, an United Presby-
terian church, and two Board schools. Acreage, 10,325. Popula-
tion in 1881, 927.
AND NEIGHBOURHOODS.
Alexandria is an increasing town, on the west side of the Leven
opposite to Bonhill. On the banks of the river are several extensive
print works. Its site is more commanding than that of Bonhill,
and its situation both healthful and pleasant. The town consists
of several well-built streets, and about a mile from it stands Tulli-
chewan Castle, a noble edifice, the residence of James Campbell,
Esq., from which an extensive view of the river, and of the vale
through- which it winds, is obtained. Between this seat and Alex-
andria is the neat mansion of Broomley, which is also the property
of the same gentleman, and two miles distant is Cameron House,
the tasteful residence of Patrick B. Smollett, Esq. The places of
worship here are one of the Establishment, a Free church, a United
Presbyterian church, and a chapel each for the Wesleyan Metho-
dists and Roman Catholics. There are two good Board schools —
one in Main street, and the other known as the " North Public
School," the latter an imposing structure, erected in 1884, and
elegantly fitted up in the most modern style. The Ewing Gilmour
Institute, consisting of library, reading and recreation rooms, is a
splendid new building, recently presented to the town by W. Ewing
Gilmour, Esq. This handsome edifice, which is superbly furnished,
cost about £12,000. A handsome public hall is centrally situated,
at the bridge end; there is also a fine drinking fountain in Main
street, erected in 1870, in honour of the late Alexander Smollett,
Esq., of Bonhill, by his friends and tenants. Population in 1881,
6,173.
Renton is a large village in the parish of Cardross, one mile s.w.
from Bonhill, the like distance s. from Alexandria, and two n. from
Dumbarton, most eligibly situated on the west bank of the Leven,
which winds with much beauty below the village; on its banks are
two extensive print works. A monumental column, bearing a Latin
inscription, is here erected to the memory of the celebrated histo-
rian, Tobias Smollett, who was born here. It is a round pillar of
stone work, sixty feet in height, springing from a square base. This
memorial was erected by the descendants of that talented indi-
vidual. In the village is an Established church and three Free
churches, and also a Board school. A public hall, situated in Main
Btreet, was erected in 1882. In 1881 Renton had a population of
4,319.
Jamestown, with a population of 2,171 inhabitants, is a thriving
modern village, a mile distant from Bonhill, on the road to Balloch;
extensive calico printing works are in operation here. There is a
neat church of the Establishment, and a Board school, and also a
public hall and recreation rooms, presented to the village in 1884,
by Archibald Orr Ewing, Esq. m.p.
POST OFFICE, 89 Main Street, Bonhill, Archibald Jardine, Post Master.— Letters arrive (from Alexandria) at 7 20 and 9 20 a.m.
and 5 20 p.m., and are despatched thereto at 8 15 and 11 55 a.m. Jand 3 5 and 6 25 p.m. Sunday despatch at 4 15 p.m 83§= Money
Order Office and Savings Bank. The nearest Telegraph Office is at Alexandria.
Post Office, 65 Bank Street, Alexandria, William Walker, Post Master. — Letters from all parts arrive (from Glasgow) at 7 and 8 40
a.m. and 5 p.m., and are despatched thereto at 6 45 and 10 45 a.m., 12 45 noon,and 3 45 and 6 45 p.m tja?" Money Order and Telegraph
Office and Savings Bank.
Wall Letter Box at Redhodse. — Cleared at 5 25 a.m. and 1 40 p.m., Sundays excepted
Post Office, Balloch, Jol n Ferguson, Beceivcr. — Letters arrive (by messenger, from Alexandria) 9 45 a.m. to callers only, and are
despatched to Alexandria at 2 15 p.m. and 5 40 p.m., week days only. fS" The nearest Money Order Office is at Jamestown, and the
nearest Telegraph Office at Alexandria.
Post Office, 33 Lovenbank Terrace, Jamestown, Margaret Whitelaw, Post Mistress. — Letters arrive (from Alexandria) 6 30 and
9 30 a.m. and 5 30 p.m., and are despatched thereto at II SO a.m. and 2 40 and 6 10 p.m. t3". Money Order Office and Savings Bank
The nearest Telegraph Office is at Alexandria.
Wall Letter Box at Kilmaronock. — Cleared at 12 35 p.m., week days only.
Post Office, 91 Main Street. Renton, , Post Mastci:— Letters from all parts arrive at 7 and 8 30 a.m. and 4 30 p.m., and are des-
despatehed at 8 55 a.m., and 1, 4 and 7 p.m. IS" Money Order and Telegraph Office and Savings Bank.
GENTRY & CLERGY.
Adam Mr. Andrew, Red Craig, Jamestown
Alison Rev. James, U. P. Manse, Alexandria
Bell Rev. Archibald, Levenside, Free Church
Manse, Renton
Boyd Rev. William, The Manse, Kilmaronock
Brock Hy. Esq. Auchinhegiish, Alexandria
Brown Alex. J. D. Esq. j.p. Balloch Castlo
Brown Mr. John F. Cullen, Ferryfield, Alex-
andria [Alexandria
Campbell Jas. Esq. j.p. Tullichewan Castle,
Christie John, Esq. Rosshead, Alexandria
Collins Rev. Thomas, Free Church Manse,
Bonhill
Colquhoun Mr. Adam, Mayfield, Alexandria
Cullen Mr. John F. m.d. Rowanlea Villa,
Alexandria [Renton
Dempster Rev. Walter. Free Church Manse
Duulop Rev. Jas. N. P. Manse, Kilmaronock
Ewing Archibald Orr, Esq. J.P., m.p. Lennox
Bank
Ewing Archibald Orr, jun. Esq. Alexandria
House, Alexandria
Ewing Chas. Lindsay.Orr, Esq. Lennox Bank
Ewing Hugh M. R. Esq. Levoutield House,
Alexandria
Ewing Mrs. Jane, Strathleven House, Bonhill
Findlay Robert E.Esq. Boturich Castle
Galbraith James, Esq. j.p. Townfoot, Kil-
maronock [Alexandria
Gilmour Wm. Ewing, Esq. j.p. Wood Bank,
Johnston Mr. George, Oakbank Cottage,
Bank st. Alexandria
Jones Edward James, Esq. j.p. Dalmonach
House, Bonhill
Kerr Rev. Thomas, North st. Alexandria
388
Kidd Rev. William, The Manse, Alexandria
Kippen James Hill, Esq. j.p. Westertown
Leith Sir George, Bart. Ross Priory
Lumsden James, Esq. Arden, Alexandria
M'Adam Mrs. — , Mains, Kilmaronock
M'Alister Mr. James. Woodburn, Jamestown
M'Farlaue Mr. Andrew, Oakbauk, Alexandria
M'Indoe Robt. Esq. j.p. Merkins, Kilmaronock
M'Kenzie Robert, Esq. B.oomley, Alexandria
M'Kenzie Robert D. Esq. Caldarvan House,
Kilmaronock [Halden
M'Laren Mr. Robert, The Cottage, Mill of
M'Lean Mr. Thomas, Glenleven, Alexandria
M'Lelland Mr. Alex. Ardenlee, Alexandria
M'Murray Mr. James, Main st. Bonhill
Mann Mr. John, Mount Pleasant, Kilmarno-
nock [Alexandria
Marton John M. Esq. j.p. Auchendennan,
Maxwell Mr. Andrew, Rosebank Cottage,
Alexandria [Balloch
Millan Misses C. & C. Oakbank Cottage,
Miller Rev. Alex. Free Gaelic Maase, Renton
Miller Rev. Daniel J. The Manse, Jamestown
Mitchell Mr. Dougall, Dalquburn Cottage,
Renton
Orr Mr. Robert, Bank st. Alexandria
Pollock Mr. William, Jamestown
Roxburgh Mr, Thomas, Jamestown
Scoullar Mis. Jane H. B. Gartocharn, Kil-
maronock
Sharp Mr. John. North at. Alexandria
Simpson Rev. William, The Manse, Bonhill
Smith Mr. Robert, A. Ashtield Houscr, Kil-
maronock
Smith Rev, William, U. P. Manse, Bonhill
Smollett Patrick B. Esq. j.p. Cameron House,
Alexandria
Stevens Mr. Daniel, Oakbank, Alexandria
Stevens Mr. David, Oakbank, Alexandria
Stevens Mr. Hugh, Oakbank, Alexandria
Sutherland Rev. Win. Free Church Manse,
Alexandria
Turnbull John, Esq. j.p. Bonhill pi. Renton
Turnbull Wm. S. Esq. Bonhill pi. Renton
Webster Mr. George F. Croftingea Cottage,
Alexandria
Wilson Rev. David, The Manse, Renton
Wood Mr. Wm C. Avenue Cottage, Alexandria
Wylie Alexander, Esq. Cordale House,Renton
SCHOOLS.
Board Schools: —
Main st. Alexandria — Jas. Mushet, master;
John M'Kenzie, assistant master; Jane
Forbes, mistress; Ellen Lewis, infants'
mistress
North Public School, Alexandria— Duncan
M'Intyre, m.a. head master ; James D.
Simpson, second master ; Caroline
Strachau, head mistress
Main st. Bonbill— Robert Ogilvie, master;
Margaret Sinclair, mistress
Jamestown— Robert Brown, master ; Jessie
Milligan, mistress
Kilmnronock (Ardoch Bridge) — Annie
Veitch, mistress
Kilmaronock— John Lang, master
Main st. Renton — Colin M'Ritchie, master;
Ann E. Johnstone, mistress
Roman Catholic School, North st. Alex-
andria—Elizabeth Warren, mistress