Langbank
Encyclopedia
Langbank is a village on the south bank of the River Clyde
in Renfrewshire
, Scotland
. The name is thought to come from ‘long bank’ (the first part being 'lang' in Scots
. It is 9.3 miles/15km northwest from Paisley
(Renfrewshire) and 3.4 miles/5.5km east from Port Glasgow
(Inverclyde) on the A8.
Langbank evolved as a dormitory settlement
for Glasgow
after the opening of the Glasgow and Greenock Railway
in 1841, a function it still performs. Prior to that it was a scattered collection of farms. An 1800 map makes reference to Longbank. It remains on the busy A8 trunk road, a few hundred yards from the start of the M8 motorway. Langbank railway station
is on the Inverclyde Line
.
Of which, under age 65 - 6
Visible along the shoreline at Langbank are the remains of the timber ponds where the shipyards of the lower Clyde stored timber for use in shipbuilding.
, Langbank also became a quoad sacra parish
in the 19th century.
For modern local government purposes, Langbank is part of the Renfrewshire
council area
. Langbank was previously linked with its nearby and larger neighbour, Houston but is now part of a local council ward with Bishopton
and Bridge of Weir
(Ward 10). Langbank has its own community council
. The community council is chiefly a consultative body, forming a focus for local views, and has no statutory powers of its own.
River Clyde
The River Clyde is a major river in Scotland. It is the ninth longest river in the United Kingdom, and the third longest in Scotland. Flowing through the major city of Glasgow, it was an important river for shipbuilding and trade in the British Empire....
in Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire is one of 32 council areas used for local government in Scotland. Located in the west central Lowlands, it is one of three council areas contained within the boundaries of the historic county of Renfrewshire, the others being Inverclyde to the west and East Renfrewshire to the east...
, 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...
. The name is thought to come from ‘long bank’ (the first part being 'lang' in Scots
Scots language
Scots is the Germanic language variety spoken in Lowland Scotland and parts of Ulster . It is sometimes called Lowland Scots to distinguish it from Scottish Gaelic, the Celtic language variety spoken in most of the western Highlands and in the Hebrides.Since there are no universally accepted...
. It is 9.3 miles/15km northwest from Paisley
Paisley
Paisley is the largest town in the historic county of Renfrewshire in the west central Lowlands of Scotland and serves as the administrative centre for the Renfrewshire council area...
(Renfrewshire) and 3.4 miles/5.5km east from Port Glasgow
Port Glasgow
Port Glasgow is the second largest town in the Inverclyde council area of Scotland. The population according to the 1991 census for Port Glasgow was 19426 persons and in the 2001 census was 16617 persons...
(Inverclyde) on the A8.
Langbank evolved as a dormitory settlement
Commuter town
A commuter town is an urban community that is primarily residential, from which most of the workforce commutes out to earn their livelihood. Many commuter towns act as suburbs of a nearby metropolis that workers travel to daily, and many suburbs are commuter towns...
for Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
after the opening of the Glasgow and Greenock Railway
Glasgow, Paisley and Greenock Railway
The Glasgow, Paisley and Greenock Railway was an early railway, which merged with the Caledonian Railway. It was created to provide train services between Greenock and Glasgow.-History:...
in 1841, a function it still performs. Prior to that it was a scattered collection of farms. An 1800 map makes reference to Longbank. It remains on the busy A8 trunk road, a few hundred yards from the start of the M8 motorway. Langbank railway station
Langbank railway station
Langbank railway station serves the village of Langbank in Renfrewshire, Scotland. The station is on the Inverclyde Line, west of .- Services :...
is on the Inverclyde Line
Inverclyde Line
The Inverclyde Line is a railway line running from Glasgow Central station through Paisley and a series of stations to the south of the River Clyde and the Firth of Clyde, terminating at Gourock and Wemyss Bay, where it connects to Caledonian MacBrayne ferry services...
.
- Population - 973
Of which, under age 65 - 6
Visible along the shoreline at Langbank are the remains of the timber ponds where the shipyards of the lower Clyde stored timber for use in shipbuilding.
Landmarks
- Langbank Parish Church (1866) has a spire which was rebuilt three times.
- Formakin HouseFormakin HouseFormakin House is an early 20th-century mansion and estate in Renfrewshire, Scotland. It is located south of the Firth of Clyde, and west of Bishopton. Formakin was designed by Robert Lorimer for wealthy businessman John Holms, though the main house was never completed...
(begun 1903) is a curious mansion which was never actually completed as the owner ran out of money. Features include tiny stone monkeys which clamber over the rooftops and a datestone carved with the date "1694" and the letters "DL" (standing for "Damned Lie"). - Finlaystone HouseFinlaystone HouseFinlaystone House is a mansion and estate near Langbank, in Inverclyde, Scotland. It is located on the Firth of Clyde in the former county of Renfrewshire. Finlaystone was a property of the Dennistoun family, and passed to the Cunninghams in the 15th century. It was the seat of the Earl of...
(c. 1760) was built as the seat of the Cunningham Earls of Glencairn, but since the 1920s has been home to the MacMillan family and to the chief of Clan MacMillanClan MacMillanClan MacMillan is a Highland Scottish clan.-Origins of the clan:The MacMillans are one of a number of clans - including the MacKinnons, the MacQuarries, and the MacPhees - descended from Airbertach, a Hebridean prince of the old royal house of Moray who according to one account was the...
. The estate is now a popular country park and garden centre. It is located between Langbank and KilmacolmKilmacolmKilmacolm is a village and civil parish in the Inverclyde council area and the historic county of Renfrewshire in the west central Lowlands of Scotland. It lies on the northern slope of the Gryffe Valley south-east of Greenock and around west of the city of Glasgow...
. - Gleddoch House was the home of Port Glasgow Shipbuilder, Col. Sir James Lithgow Bt. It is now a hotel and leisure complex.
Governance
Part of the civil parish of ErskineErskine
Erskine is a town in the council area of Renfrewshire, and historic county of the same name, in the west central Lowlands of Scotland.It lies on the southern bank of the River Clyde, providing the lowest crossing to the north bank of the river at Erskine Bridge connecting the town to Old Kilpatrick...
, Langbank also became a quoad sacra parish
Quoad sacra parish
A quoad sacra parish is a type of parish in Scotland which is used for ecclesiastical purposes only. Quoad sacra translates from Latin as 'concerning sacred matters'. This type of parish can be distinguished from the 'parish proper' a parish combining both civil and eccesiastical functions...
in the 19th century.
For modern local government purposes, Langbank is part of the Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire is one of 32 council areas used for local government in Scotland. Located in the west central Lowlands, it is one of three council areas contained within the boundaries of the historic county of Renfrewshire, the others being Inverclyde to the west and East Renfrewshire to the east...
council area
Council Area
A Council Area is one of the areas defined in Schedule 1 of the Local Government etc. Act 1994 and is under the control of one of the local authorities in Scotland created by that Act.-Legislation :1889...
. Langbank was previously linked with its nearby and larger neighbour, Houston but is now part of a local council ward with Bishopton
Bishopton, Renfrewshire
Bishopton is a large village in Renfrewshire, Scotland, a few miles west of Erskine.-Transport links:Bishopton sits a couple of miles from the southern end of the Erskine Bridge, which spans the River Clyde between Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire. Part way along the B815 road is a computer...
and Bridge of Weir
Bridge of Weir
Bridge of Weir is a village in within the Renfrewshire council area and wider historic county of Renfrewshire in the west central Lowlands of Scotland...
(Ward 10). Langbank has its own community council
Community council
A community council is a public representative body in Great Britain.In England they may be statutory parish councils by another name, under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, or they may be non-statutory bodies...
. The community council is chiefly a consultative body, forming a focus for local views, and has no statutory powers of its own.
External links
- Langbank Community Portal (Langbank Community Council)
- Finlaystone Estate