Ardencaple Castle

From 1525 Ardencaple Castle was the stronghold of the MacAulay Clan until the death of the last chief in 1786 when the estate and Castle passed out of MacAulay ownership.
It was refurbished by its last owner Henrietta MacAulay Stromberg who died in 1931. The life rent of the Castle went to Adelaide Parker Voorheis until 1935. The Castle was then sold to a consortium of developers who developed the Tower Lawn into a housing estate in 1936-37. This was interrupted by war when the Navy requisitioned the Castle. The Navy finally demolished the Castle in 1957, leaving standing one battle Tower.
This Tower was used as a navigational mark for submarines returning to Faslane until the early 1990's. When the nature and size of submarines changed at that time, replacement navigation towers were necessary in the Firth off Helensburgh. The Tower is still a navigational mark for general shipping on the Clyde.

The admission fees are:

• Adults £3
• Children and Senior Citizens £1.00
• Families - £7 per family

The Highland Games will take place at Helensburgh Rugby Club,
The Pipe Band Competitions will take place in Hermitage Park and the Dance Competitions at the Victoria Halls.

 

The Games will take place on Saturday 21st June 2008 and the Pipe Band and Highland Dancing – SOBHD Reg. No. W7 Competitions on Sunday, 22nd June 2008. The HLG Committee will also be organising an evening event on the Saturday night with bands and a ceilidh.

There is also dancing on the Saturday at the Highland Games at the Rugby Club, as well as the Sunday at the Victoria Halls.

Highland Games
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“Ceilidh nan Gaidheal an Baile Eilidh
(Highlanders Ceilidh in Helensburgh)

The Ceilidh will be held at the Royal Northern Yacht Club (ticket prices & tickets should be available from early May)

Attractions that the Helensburgh & Lomond Games will have include: Highland Dance Competitions – SOBHD Registration Number. W7
Solo Piping, Hill Run, Heavy Events, Under 17 years Cross Country, relays, 90 metres sprints, 5 man Local & 8 man Open Tug of War, Scottish Back Hold Wrestling, Climbing Wall, over 25 Stalls, Bouncy Castle & much more.

There will be a beer tent & BBQ run by Helensburgh Rugby Club

The stalls include:
face painting, coconut shy, games, hand made soap, Hog Roast, O’Brien’s coffee, home made baking, hand made jewellery, chocolate fountain & much more.

Events start at 10am, with a march in by Helensburgh Pipe Band & the official opening by the Clan Chief of the McAulay’s at 11:45.

Why not travel from Glasgow to the Helensburgh & Lomond Highland Games on the Waverley, the famous last sea going paddle steamer in the World. The Waverley sails from Glasgow Science Centre at 10:00am arriving in Helensburgh at 12:00, then board our free bus to the Games site. The Waverley then departs from Helensburgh pier at 18:15 to return to Glasgow.