River Clyde

Shipbuilding in Clyde came to its own in the early part of the 20th century, with considerable output in period covering the two major World Wars. Decline set in during the 1960s. Still, shipbuilding yards are still existence at Greenock, Scotstoun, and Govan. Today, Clyde is being reinvented as an area for residential development, business, and recreation center.

Historically, the River Clyde has a long story to tell, many of which are worth the telling. The Cunard, a shipping line which includes the QE2, the Queen Mary, the Royal Yacht Britannia, and the Queen Elizabeth, was founded in Glasgow and all said liners were built on the Clyde River at Clydebank.

The inventor of the separate condenser (which invention made the steam engine viable economically), James Watt (who was born in Greenock), came up with the idea while walking along the river in 1765 on Glasgow Green.

The last paddle steamer that can is ocean-worthy in the world, the Waverley, was built by A & J Inglis in 1947 in Glasgow’s River Clyde. It is still being used on the Clyde today, for an authentic paddle steamer trip ‘doon the watter’ still being enjoyed by thousands of passengers.

Before becoming famous on the stage, the actor-comedian Billy Connolly, was born in Glasgow’s small town of Patrick in 1942. He worked in a shipyard in Clyde before fame overtook him.