Gartocharn
Encyclopedia
Gartocharn is a village in West Dunbartonshire
in Scotland
. It is the only village in the parish of Kilmaronock ( not to be confused with the town of Kilmarnock
in East Ayrshire
). The parish has a population of 1,051.
It lies on the A811, the main road from Balloch
to Stirling
. It is close to the Aber Shore, a beauty spot on the shore of Loch Lomond
, and to Ross Priory
. It is dominated by a nearby hill, Duncryne, also known as the Kilmaronock Dumpling.
It was the home of Tom Weir
.
Each year, the village is the home of a Convention of the Two by Twos (also known as "Cooneyites", though they claim no name). Hundreds of evangelical "Truthers" make their way there, staying in nearby homes or on site. Followers come from around the UK, Ireland and further afield to attend. The four day long Convention is the last remaining in Scotland for this sect. The two Conventions held here consist of three, 2 – 2.5 hour meetings per day, interspersed with breaks for meals and socialising. The Conventions last from Saturday morning until Tuesday evening. In order to accommodate the numbers desiring to attend, one Convention is held in beginning of May, with a second being held usually the following week. The main worker or minister responsible at the site is Martin Sykes.
West Dunbartonshire
West Dunbartonshire is one of the 32 local government council areas of Scotland. Bordering onto the west of the City of Glasgow, containing many of Glasgow's commuter towns and villages as well as the city's suburbs, West Dunbartonshire also borders onto Argyll and Bute, Stirling, East...
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. It is the only village in the parish of Kilmaronock ( not to be confused with the town of Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock is a large burgh in East Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of 44,734. It is the second largest town in Ayrshire. The River Irvine runs through its eastern section, and the Kilmarnock Water passes through it, giving rise to the name 'Bank Street'...
in East Ayrshire
East Ayrshire
East Ayrshire is one of 32 council areas of Scotland. It borders on to North Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire, South Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway...
). The parish has a population of 1,051.
It lies on the A811, the main road from Balloch
Balloch, West Dunbartonshire
Balloch is a small town in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland, at the foot of Loch Lomond. The name comes from the Gaelic for "the pass".Balloch is at the north end of the Vale of Leven, straddling the River Leven itself. It connects to the larger town of Alexandria and to the smaller village of...
to Stirling
Stirling
Stirling is a city and former ancient burgh in Scotland, and is at the heart of the wider Stirling council area. The city is clustered around a large fortress and medieval old-town beside the River Forth...
. It is close to the Aber Shore, a beauty spot on the shore of Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond is a freshwater Scottish loch, lying on the Highland Boundary Fault. It is the largest lake in Great Britain by surface area. The lake contains many islands, including Inchmurrin, the largest fresh-water island in the British Isles, although the lake itself is smaller than many Irish...
, and to Ross Priory
Ross Priory
Ross Priory is a category A listed building located west of Gartocharn, West Dunbartonshire, on the south shore of Loch Lomond. Although the term "Priory" implies some ecclesiastical provenance, this is not the case, being simply a 19th century romantic affectation.- History :The history of Ross...
. It is dominated by a nearby hill, Duncryne, also known as the Kilmaronock Dumpling.
It was the home of Tom Weir
Tom Weir
Thomas Weir MBE, better known as Tom was a Scottish climber, author and broadcaster. He was best known for his long-running television series Weir's Way and his trademark woolly bunnet.-Early life and career:...
.
Each year, the village is the home of a Convention of the Two by Twos (also known as "Cooneyites", though they claim no name). Hundreds of evangelical "Truthers" make their way there, staying in nearby homes or on site. Followers come from around the UK, Ireland and further afield to attend. The four day long Convention is the last remaining in Scotland for this sect. The two Conventions held here consist of three, 2 – 2.5 hour meetings per day, interspersed with breaks for meals and socialising. The Conventions last from Saturday morning until Tuesday evening. In order to accommodate the numbers desiring to attend, one Convention is held in beginning of May, with a second being held usually the following week. The main worker or minister responsible at the site is Martin Sykes.