I decided to walk around and see Greenock. I started helping people find their deceased relatives…read morea few months ago, so this place was a fitting start. It's a beautiful place, very different from the U.S. Institutions. I walked for hours in amazement. The history far surpassed anything I have seen back home. Being a Sailor myself, I was taken back by many of the stones that referenced Sailors... (Prayers to those who have done their time at sea and the ones that will forever remain there). Many of the memorials have seen better days, I guess this is due to the climate. Several were overturned or have fallen due to neglect or again ... The climate. It's a hard realization that eventually "all" are forgotten. Still much history to be seen here.

I passed this many times over the years without realising what it was so I found it interesting…read morerecently to do some research and take a few photos! This non-functioning fountain is actually a memorial to the prolific author, John Galt (1779 -1839), one of the most famous and successful businessmen and Scottish writers of his day. Galt was born in Irvine but moved to Greenock when just ten years old. From 1796 1804 he worked as a junior justice clerk in Greenock before moving to London to study political economy and commercial history. He began to write in his twenties, trying his hand at verse and then, more successfully, essays and novels. In 1809 Galt spent a period of time travelling on the Mediterranean and he became acquainted with Lord Byron, which led years later to his great biography, The Life of Byron. He returned to London, married, and wrote many successful works, including The Ayrshire Legates, The Steamboat, Sir Andrew Wylie, The Gathering of the West, The Provost and Lawrie Todd. After several years spent in Canada, he was then forced to return to Britain under a charge of debt which led to a prison sentence. He continued to write many books, including his autobiography, and eventually retired to Greenock in 1834.

A beautiful sculpture, made of steel wire, by Andy Scott (how I love his work!), unveiled in…read moreFebruary 2011. It stands 3.5 metres high and is a memorial to a much loved cart horse, which unfortunately drowned in 1889 in the old Albert Harbour. The sight of the horse's death and the distraught, weeping owner, who was clinging on to the neck of the dead animal on the quayside, was witnessed by a long queue of people waiting to emigrate to America on a steamship. This lovely statue was installed by Riverside Inverclyde as part of the redevelopment of the whole area and can be seen at the piazza at the eastern end of Cathcart Street, at the junction with Dalrymple St. There's a nearby car park (which is free) in Cathcart St itself.

One of my favourite places of all time. I love the view and taking photos up here. Last time I…read moreclimbed up even higher (the steps are roughly opposite the memorial) above the golf course - definitely worth it.

This is 'my home' I see this from my bedrooma and living…read moreroom window, i grew up down the street from it. My primary school was just along the street, sadly its no longer there, but imagine learning fractions whilst looking out the window at the most spectacular unspoilt views ever! (must be why my spellings so bad, was too busy staring) Lots of people come up here to get their wedding photos taken. Even us, when we where younger, in the guides, we won a place to show off our country dancing skills in The Royal Albert Hall, London, and we got our pics taken here as well as up in the golf course, which is just behind the monument. The pics went in the show guide, and displayed the best the west of scotland has to offer to the uk :)