Dunglass

[teclo]

My mate and I visited the old Dunglass pumping station in Bowling a couple of weekends ago. It was a bit of fun.

We first visited the site a number of years ago and tackled it from Dumbarton, and back then it was easy enough to get into from the cycle path. We tried it again last year and it was totally over grown so we just left it.

This time we decided to tackle it from the Bowling end and go through the old harbour. Which at first glance wasn't that easy as it has been boarded up now, but if you lok carefully and the tide is out, there is a wall you can climb up.

We went through the old deralict boat yard, noticing that a strange building we visited a couple of years ago was missing. I was quite annoyed with this because I really wanted to take pics of an odd room in there that was full of wierd stuff.

As we went through, we didn't think we would be able to get into Dunglass but jinking around the fence and clambering up an incline lets you in.

The area hasn't really changed much, the house is still there, I still want it. Although the large tanks that were set into the ground near the piers have all been filled in.

Leaving the place we couldn't be bothered with walking all the way back into bowling then back into Dumbarton so we brass necked it and left by the guard house. If the guard noticed us, he didn't show it.

[trickntoots]

Wonderful. Just simply nice to see the moss on the steps and unattended business left to create beauty.

[Alchemist]

Good images Teclo, it's been a while since I've been in that area.
Wonder if the guard can be bribed with a few cans of Tennents

[teclo]

I have to say, unkept gardens can look terrible and messy. This garden has a serine beauty to it. It was lovely, not sure if you can make out the sea of blue bells we had to wade through. Also, if you do visit round about this time, blue bells + inclines + caterpiller boots can equal a broken neck, or at least a very sore ass..

I didn't fall, but there was one time I thought I was a goner.

[HollowHorn]

Teclo, that takes me back, I lived in Clydebank as a boy and would amble down to Bowling with my pals during the long hot summers (ha). The Harbour was like an adventure playground to us youngsters, what with the exploration and getting chased by the security guy, though to be honest, I may well have remained uncaught if I’d had a pair of “go faster” Baseball boots like yours.

On a sadder note, I remember a young lad getting killed there when he fell into the water between the Dock wall and a large Tanker, he may have drowned but I get the feeling that he was crushed. He came from Whitecrook; he would have been 11 or 12 at the time.

Some nice old photographs of Dumbarton, Clydebank & the surrounding area can be found here: http://www.wdcweb.info/library/DisplayA ... sp?ID=7770

[teclo]

Oh the guy in the baseball boots isn't me

I was wearing sensible docs as usual.

[HollowHorn]

Dumbarton Rock & Dunglass from Erskine Beach.

[HollowHorn]

The way down from the gatehouse:




Dunglass House looking east:



Castle walls, looking east:


Castle grounds & the doocot, the security guard used to hear the sound of a baby crying coming from the Doocot, on further investigation it turned out that feral cats were taking baby rabbits in there & torturing them for a few hours before killing them.


To the river:


Gate to the Clyde, the garrison used to recieve their contraband through this gate.


Downstairs fireplace:


Downstairs Window:


Original lathe & plasterwork:


Looking upstairs:


Upstairs wallpaper:


Robertsons Jam stickers on the tilework;


These dowels are placed in walls all over the house, every so often they are sent away for analysis to gauge how the drying out process is progressing. To preserve the wood & other original features, no artificial heat is alowed in the house.


Old Esso sign:



Upstairs, The Kitchen:


Toilet:




Light fittings:


Looking West:


Wallpaper:


Looking north west:


Wallpaper:


Detail:

[HollowHorn]

Stairs to 3rd floor:


3rd floor view:


Doorway:

[brickwall]

That's some nice work there HH

[HollowHorn]

Some changes in the area:

[Dave]

Did it 'went on fire' or are there plans afoot in the area?

[HollowHorn]

It's not actually Dunglass, it's the bit between there & Bowling Basin.

[Dave]

Ah right, thanks

Not being familiar I had assumed the old property had been demolished. Perhaps I didn't read it well. I'm poorly at the moment so apologies