CloseMore stories from around Scotland Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRead descriptionEditor's recommendationsSwimmers take the plunge as Gourock outdoor pool opens 00:00:26Swimmers take the plunge as Gourock outdoor pool opens 0:26 Up Next Watch: BBC reports from pier 33 - the gateway to Alcatraz 00:01:40Watch: BBC reports from pier 33 - the gateway to Alcatraz 1:40 Watch: Prince Louis steals the show as royals mark VE Day 00:01:25Watch: Prince Louis steals the show as royals mark VE Day 1:25 Watch: How Lady Gaga's record-breaking concert almost ended in disaster Video 00:01:21Watch: How Lady Gaga's record-breaking concert almost ended in disaster 1:21 'Trump was the game-changer': Three things to know about the Australian election result 00:01:20'Trump was the game-changer': Three things to know about the Australian election result 1:20 Prince Harry 'can't see a world' where his family will visit the UK 00:02:54Prince Harry 'can't see a world' where his family will visit the UK 2:54 Watch: Key moments from the local elections.. 00:01:32Watch: Key moments from the local elections.. 1:32 Watch: Reform by-election win raises questions for Labour and Tories 00:01:11Watch: Reform by-election win raises questions for Labour and Tories 1:11 Russell Brand's court appearance explained.. 00:00:50Russell Brand's court appearance explained.. 0:50 Ros Atkins on.. 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Find out more here Preview The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog The countdown is on to this year’s Gourock Highland Games with less than two weeks to go till the big day Gourock Highland Games is the first games of the Scottish season and is free to attend This year for the 67th games there is a bumper schedule planned featuring a record number of applicants for the heavy events – including the return of ladies heavies after their successful debut in 2024 Pipe bands will compete for a variety of trophies while the games has received its highest number of entries into the West of Scotland Highland Dance Championships The Beacon Arts Centre is hosting a come and try circus skills stall while Inverclyde librarians will be hosting a variety of events for all ages including Bookbug for wee ones sessions with local heritage volunteers and lots of information about what’s on and available at libraries across the area Youngsters from local schools will take part in their own mini-Highland games and there will be a host of delicious street food options This year a cruise ship will be docked at nearby Greenock Ocean Terminal bringing an international audience to the games to enjoy a warm much-loved local Guide leader Sandra McColl said excitement is building as May 11 draws closer She said: “I was asked to be chieftain back in January and I can’t believe the big day is nearly here “I’ve been going to the games for years with the Guides so I know what a brilliant event it is for the whole community of Inverclyde and for the competitors who take part in the heavy “I understand there has been a record number of entries to the heavy and Highland dancing events The number of applications for stalls and food vendors was also the highest it’s ever been “The games already have a fantastic reputation for a great day out and word is spreading “I can’t wait for it to be here and I’m sure the people of Inverclyde will be out to support the games once again.” Gourock Highland Games take place in Battery Park on Sunday 11 May from 12noon till 6pm and is free to attend Parking is very limited on the day and visitors are encouraged to use public transport The nearest train station is Fort Matilda and Battery Park is well served by local buses Known affectionately as ‘The Toon Kirk’ Wellpark Mid Kirk is home to a lively congregation which cherishes its building a handsome classical church with an Ionic portico and steeple modelled on St Martin-in-the-Fields Inverclyde Council use cookies on this website to improve the customer experience Your cookie settings can be changed at any time through your browser settings. To find out more see our cookies page By continuing to navigate you consent to the use of cookies It appears that your web browser does not support JavaScript, or you have temporarily disabled scripting. Either way, this site won't work without it. Please take a look at our browser support page for more help The Gourock Highland Games are returning for another year to Battery Park At this year’s Gourock Highland Games there will be pipe band and drum major competitions; highland dance competitions; heavyweight events; mini highland games; children’s entertainment; gift and craft stalls – a great day out for all the family. It is free entry and open to all from 12pm. traders and food vendors are now confirmed - it is shaping up to be an incredible day. Be sure to follow our socials linked to the right-hand side of the page to keep updated with the latest news surrounding this year’s event The station was designed by James Miller in 1903 for the Caledonian Railway and is remarkable in its use of glass and steel curves The station is noted for its architectural qualities and is one of Scotland's finest railway buildings and Category A listed https://discoverinverclyde.com/businesses/wemyss-bay-station/ A 105 metre-long colourful mural showcasing the best of Inverclyde has been unveiled at Gourock train station Inverclyde Council worked with various partners and members of the public to bring the vision for the mural to life and brighten up the station wall aims to showcase the local area to walkers wheelers and cyclists - some of whom will be visitors to the area and will be interested in finding out more and exploring it further The £10,000 project has been funded by the Scottish Government via active travel organisation Sustrans and was delivered in partnership by Inverclyde Council and Sustrans Scotland's Network Development programme Through Inverclyde Council’s Discover Inverclyde tourism channels people were invited to share what they love about Gourock in particular Lots of positive comments and photos were received with common themes highlighting Gourock’s independent shops and cafés as well as Inverclyde’s stunning scenery Photographs from across the area were used including one of the Shipbuilders of Port Glasgow sculptures contributed by SJPhotography alongside quotes gathered from the public consultation convener of Inverclyde Council’s Environment and Regeneration committee said: “This is a fantastic asset for Inverclyde and is an inviting welcome to both rail passengers and walkers cyclists and wheelers using the new active travel route through the station “Everyone who lives in Inverclyde is well aware of the outstanding scenery “I hope visitors to Inverclyde take the time to enjoy this piece of public art and get out there and discover everything the area has to offer.” UK National Cycle Network Director at Sustrans said: "We are thrilled to celebrate the unveiling of these new designs at Gourock station Since last year's opening of the path connecting the National Cycle Network Route 75 through the station locals and visitors to Inverclyde are benefitting from healthier happier and more sustainable travel choices "The series of design panels adds a valuable sense of the local culture We hope this will inspire more people to explore Inverclyde by walking Director of Strategy and Investment at Network Rail Scotland's railway is your link to live With the town’s rich history and contemporary culture we're delighted that Gourock rail station will be at the heart of showcasing the very best of what Inverclyde has to offer inspiring a new generation of visitors to the area." said: “We’re proud to support projects like this which celebrate local communities and make our stations more welcoming for customers "Gourock station is a gateway to Inverclyde and this vibrant mural not only enhances the station environment but also reflects the pride people have in the area We hope it encourages more people to take the train and explore everything Inverclyde has to offer created by famous Scottish sculptor Andy Scott was put on display a few years ago as part of a flagship public art project in Inverclyde and later won an international award A former nurse and much-loved Guide leader says she’s honoured to be the next chieftain of Gourock Highland Games Gourock resident Sandra McColl said being made chieftain of the games is up there with the honours she’s received in her career as a nurse for the NHS and as a Guide leader The mum-of-two has been involved with the Brownie and Guides Association since she was just seven years old and even inspired her two daughters to follow in her footsteps and become Guide leaders Sandra said: “I was very surprised and delighted to be asked to be the chieftain of this year’s Gourock Highland Games “The Guides always have a stall at the games so we’ve been going for years It’s always a great day and the whole community comes out to support it “Being the chieftain means this year will be even more special “I’m looking forward to getting involved and seeing lots of my former Guides and their families there on the day This year’s games take place in Battery Park on Sunday 11 May from 12noon till 6pm and are completely free to attend Sandra was joined by the Provost of Inverclyde young dancers from May Hughes School of Dance and heavy competitors Elizabeth Elliot and Brian Doherty to officially launch this year’s games at Battery Park Provost Drew McKenzie said: “I’m delighted Sandra has found time in her busy schedule to be the chieftain of this year’s games “Sandra has been an inspiration to so many girls and young women through her involvement with the 27th Greenock Guides and I was pleased to be able to give her a long service award to Guiding for her 50 years’ service last year “The Gourock Highland Games are the first Highland Games of the season and is a flagship event for us here in Inverclyde “It’s always well attended and I’m sure this year will be no different “The day promises something for everyone to enjoy with a packed schedule “I can’t wait to see the crowds along for another great day on the shores of the Clyde at Battery Park.” Once again the games will include traditional heavy events like tossing the caber and hammer throwing and will continue to include female competitors after their introduction last year was hailed a success The games will also feature Highland dancing and piping as well as arts and crafts stalls featuring creative makers from across Scotland There will also be a great selection of street food Inverclyde Council’s library service will be delivering fun family-friendly activities throughout the day including their popular Bookbug sessions for babies Inverclyde Active Schools’ mini Highland Games will involve youngsters from local schools and there will be fun for the whole family including fair rides The Gourock Highland Games are the first of the season and are organised in partnership with the Royal Scottish Highland Games Association (RSHGA) said: “It is an honour to work with the team from Inverclyde Council in delivering the first Games on the calendar season “Like in previous years I am entrusted in the field set up for the Heavy Weight competition and arriving early gives me a first-hand view of the Games building up to the spectacular event that kicks off at midday "I look forward to welcoming the athletes and this year’s chieftain on her arrival to the Heavy Weight arena.” For the latest information about the 2025 Gourock Highland Games visit Discover Inverclyde via the link on the page 25 April, 2025 | Local INVERCLYDE Leisure have confirmed that Gourock outdoor pool will open on Friday 2 May for its new season The traditional opening day big jump-in will take place at 4pm at the heated 31 March, 2025 | Local A SINGLE-vessel service will operate on the Dunoon to Gourock ferry route while urgent repairs are carried out to MV Argyll Flyer has been found during the vessel’s annual maintenance A detailed repair plan is currently being prepared but early indications are that the vessel may be required to be off service for several months The vessel is likely to require modifications that will take time to design and implement MV Argyll Flyer was due to return on Tuesday 1 April but the route will be operated solely by MV Ali Cat Customers and local communities will be kept informed about a return to service date A CalMac spokeswoman said: “The health and safety of our crew and customers is our number one priority and it is important that the exhaust is fixed so that they are not exposed to unacceptable levels of exhaust fumes We understand that only having one vessel on the Gourock to Dunoon route will be inconvenient to our customers and we are sorry about this there is not another vessel we can move to this route and we will not have any spare during this period Repairs will be carried out as quickly as possible and we will update customers once these have been successfully completed.” the daily 1015 sailing from Gourock and the 1045 from Dunoon will be cancelled each day as will the 2240 from Gourock and the 2310 from Dunoon on a Tuesday To allow for essential maintenance to be carried out while MV Ali Cat is operating a single-vessel timetable the 1115 from Gourock and the 1145 from Dunoon will be cancelled on a Monday and Friday Replacement bus services will operate for these cancelled sailings