Artists impression of James Watt Dock Greenock Gourock Sea View Inverkip Sea View Lighthouse Newark Castle Municipal Buildings

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Greenock Information

Greenock is on the south side of the Clyde and lies within Clydeport's area of responsibility which covers 1165 square kilometres.

About Inverclyde & Greenock

Inverclyde is an area of unrivalled beauty, situated along the broad coastal reach of the River Clyde with breathtaking views towards the Argyll Hills and Scottish Highlands. Shipbuilding, manufacturing and trading brought prosperity to Inverclyde in the 19th and 20th centuries.

In the early 1950's IBM established a manufacturing base in Greenock and within the next few decades a vibrant electronics industry developed in the area.

As electronics declined, call centres have developed. These include T.Mobile, and the Royal Bank of Scotland Mortgage Centre. Amazon is also based in Inverclyde.

Greenock has many stunning buildings. The Custom House on the quayside is A listed and the Sugar Sheds at James Watt Dock are a splendid example of Victorian industrial architecture.

James Watt, the engineer and innovator who invented powerful new versions of the steam engine, and changed the face of engineering and industry around the world, was born in Greenock.

A century ago the James Watt Memorial College opened and specialised in marine engineering and related studies. The building was financed by another famous Scott, Andrew Carnegie. Due to the changing demands of commerce and industry it was replaced by a new purpose built College. The Finnart Campus opened in 1973 and the original college building is now used by Inverclyde Council's education service.

James Watt College responded to the move away from traditional industries by diversifying into other areas of commerce. As new courses developed to meet business needs, the college expanded dramatically. A second Campus which includes residential blocks was built on Greenock's Waterfront in the 1990's.

Greenock has a population of around 44,000. It is 26 miles from central Glasgow which can be accessed by road via the A8/M8 or by rail. Glasgow International Airport is a 30 minute drive away and it takes an hour to reach Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

Clydeport is Scotland's major west coast intercontinental and Atlantic facing port operator. Its core business is the management of the River Clyde and the provision of port facilities and services. The company also has extensive landholdings throughout the West of Scotland, and is increasingly involved in property investment and development.

While Greenock is one of many ports within Clydeport's area, it is important as a gateway to Scotland's international heartland and as a cruise liner destination.

The Tall Ships will be berthed within James Watt Dock and the Great Harbour which are a mile from Greenock Town Centre and close to Cartsdyke Station on the Greenock to Glasgow railway line and the main bus route between Glasgow and Greenock.

One of the outstanding features of the site is the massive red and yellow brick sugar warehouse which was built when Greenock and Port Glasgow had numerous sugar refineries processing cane sugar imported from the West Indies.

The Sugar Shed is being regenerated to eventually form a mixed development including commercial, retail and residential elements. In the short term it will be used to provide a hub for the Tall Ships 2011 by accommodating the crew centre, management offices, and retail and exhibition space.