White Inch

Last updated

White Inch
Location
Glasgow UK relief location map.jpg
Red pog.svg
White Inch
Location in Glasgow area
Scotland relief location map.jpg
Red pog.svg
White Inch
Location in Scotland
OS grid reference NS545669
Coordinates 55°52′26″N4°19′36″W / 55.8739°N 4.3268°W / 55.8739; -4.3268
Physical geography
Island groupIslands of the River Clyde
Administration
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Country Scotland
Council area Lanarkshire
Demographics
Population0
Lymphad3.svg

White Inch was an island lying in the estuarine waters of the River Clyde close to Glasgow in the Parish of Govan, Lanarkshire, Scotland. Due to the deliberate disposal of dredged material from the Clyde, it became physically part of the northern, Lanarkshire side, of the river bank from the 1830s and is now entirely built over. The name lives on in the Whiteinch district of Glasgow, street names, etc., and probably relates to white colored sand deposits.

Contents

Islands in the River Clyde

View up the Clyde from Newshot Island. Newshot Island from the nature reserve, River Clyde.jpg
View up the Clyde from Newshot Island.

Islands of the River Clyde, rather than sand or mud banks only exposed at low water, once included in the order, working upstream towards Glasgow:- Milton, Bodinbo, Newshot, Ron, Sand Inch, Kings Inch, Buck Inch, White Inch, and Water Inch. A Colin's Isle also once sat in the waters of the Cart near its confluence with the River Clyde. [1]

The name 'Inch' is Scots deriving from the Gaelic 'Innis', an island. [2] The name 'Ron' in Scots refers to a thicket of hawthorns or rose briers, an area of stunted and crowded woodland. [3] Buck Inch may translate as a place where the sound of pouring or gushing water was heard. [4]

White Inch

Circa 1636-52 Gordon's map shows White Inch and the other islands without recording the name. [5] Prior to 1732 the island is clearly shown in the Clyde on Herman Moll's map with Water Inch upstream and Buck Inch downstream. [6] Roy's map of circa 1747 does not clearly indicate an island, but Whiteinch farm is shown as is a road running east–west. [7] James Barry's 1758 plan of the Clyde names White Inch and shows it as an island. [8]

It lay opposite the old Linthouse Estate and between the River Kelvin and the Whiteinch Burn. Access to the island would have been relatively straightforward as the water depth was as little as 18 inches (46 cm), permitting its use as part of a farm owned by the Smith's of Jordanhill. [9]

Dredging of the Clyde

James Watt's 1736 survey of the River Clyde. James Watt's survey of the River Clyde.jpg
James Watt's 1736 survey of the River Clyde.
Abandoned punts at Park Quay. Park Quay, ship graveyard mud punts wrecks, River Clyde, Erskine - view east.jpg
Abandoned punts at Park Quay.

The development of Glasgow as a port necessitated the deepening of the River Clyde and the removal of obstacles such as hard gravel at the Marlin Ford, etc. Dredging works produced large volumes of rocks, silt and so on that had to be disposed of as cheaply as possible. James Smith of Jordanhill owned the lands of Jordanvale and White Inch. As an experienced businessman, he struck a mutually beneficial deal with the Clyde Trust, that involved them, at a negligible cost, discarding the silt, etc. from the dredging operations into the river channel on the northern side of the island and onto the low land between Jordanvale and White Inch.

The usual dredging punts, towed by steamboats, brought the infill to the area and as a result, the ground level was artificially raised by between 10 and 15 feet (3.0 and 4.6 m). [9] As a result, in the 1830s, White Inch ceased to be an island even during average floods. [9]

The site of the island was used for shipyards and is now completely covered by industrial buildings.

The ford

When the Linthouse Shipyard was constructing new berths in 1913 stones were found in the Clyde and when inspected by the Old Govan Club it was concluded that they were remains of the stepping stones of the ford that once crossed from the south bank of the river. The stones ran to White Inch and then continued to the north bank. [10]

The Course of the River Clyde

The Clyde flooded in the 17th century and its course altered as recorded in the 'First Statistical Account' states that the river "left its usual course, nearly opposite to Scotstoun, took a semi-circular direction, leaving the King’s Inch on the north side, and running along the bottom of the garden belonging to the manse, came into its present direction". This suggests that the River Clyde's main current may have reduced at the White Inch's northern channel. [11]

Paisley Abbey

Paisley Abbey from near Blackhall. Paisley Abbey from Saucelhill Park, Renfrewshire.jpg
Paisley Abbey from near Blackhall.

Circa 1168 thirteen monks from Much Wenlock arrived at Renfrew and were lodged at Steward's castle on King's Inch at a church dedicated to Saints Mary and James. The accommodation at Paisley Abbey was not ready for them at the time. Osbert was appointed as the prior.

The monks had trading rights in the area and fishing rights on the River Clyde. By the year 1172, the monks had moved to Paisley Abbey. Walter Fitz Alan gave King's Inch and all the fishings on the Clyde between the island and Partick to the abbey. [12]

See also

Related Research Articles

River Clyde River in Scotland

The River Clyde is a river that flows into the Firth of Clyde in Scotland. It is the ninth-longest river in the United Kingdom, and the third-longest in Scotland. It runs through the major city of Glasgow. Historically, it was important to the British Empire because of its role in shipbuilding and trade. To the Romans, it was Clota, and in the early medieval Cumbric language, it was known as Clud or Clut. It was central to the Kingdom of Strathclyde.

Braehead Shopping mall in Renfrewshire, Scotland

Braehead is a commercial development located at the former site of Braehead Power Station in Renfrew on the south bank of the River Clyde in Renfrew, Renfrewshire. It is particularly notable for its large shopping centre, arena and leisure facilities.

Scotstoun Human settlement in Scotland

Scotstoun is an area of Glasgow, Scotland, west of Glasgow City Centre. It is bounded by Garscadden and Yoker to the west, Victoria Park, Jordanhill and Whiteinch to the east, Jordanhill to the north and the River Clyde to the south. At the heart of Scotstoun lies Scotstounhill, an enclave of late Victorian and post-war housing centred on Scotstounhill railway station. Scotstoun is home to BAE Systems Surface Ships, and to the Glasgow Warriors rugby team.

Erskine Post town in Renfrewshire, Scotland

Erskine is a town in the council area of Renfrewshire, and historic county of the same name, situated 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 the Erskine Bridge, connecting the town to Old Kilpatrick in West Dunbartonshire. Erskine is a commuter town at the western extent of the Greater Glasgow conurbation, bordering Bishopton to the west and Renfrew, Inchinnan, Paisley and Glasgow Airport to the south. Originally a small village settlement, the town has expanded since the 1960s as the site of development as an overspill town, boosting the population to over 15,000. In 2014, it was rated one of the most attractive postcode areas to live in Scotland.

Inchinnan Human settlement in Scotland

Inchinnan is a small village in Renfrewshire, Scotland. The village is located on the main A8 road between Renfrew and Greenock, just south east of the town of Erskine.

River Cart

The River Cart is a tributary of the River Clyde, Scotland, which it joins from the west roughly midway between the towns of Erskine and Renfrew and opposite the town of Clydebank.

Whiteinch Human settlement in Scotland

Whiteinch is an area in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. It is situated directly north of the River Clyde, between the Partick and Scotstoun areas of the city. Whiteinch was at one stage part of the burgh of Partick, until that burgh's absorption into the expanding city of Glasgow in 1912, and part of the Parish of Govan.

Shieldhall Human settlement in Scotland

Shieldhall is a district in the Scottish city of Glasgow. It is situated directly south of the River Clyde and is part of the wider Govan area.

Renfrewshire (historic) Historic county and lieutenancy area of western Scotland

Renfrewshire or the County of Renfrew is a historic county, registration county and lieutenancy area in the west central Lowlands of Scotland. It contains the local government council areas of Inverclyde, Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire, as well as parts of Glasgow and is occasionally named Greater Renfrewshire to distinguish the county from the modern council area.

Renfrew Ferry

The Renfrew Ferry is a passenger ferry service linking the north and south banks of the River Clyde in Scotland. The service, operated by Clydelink without subsidy, crosses between Renfrew and Yoker, close to Glasgow City Centre and is the last Clyde crossing this far upstream.

1877–78 Scottish Cup Football tournament season

The 1877–78 Scottish Cup – officially the Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup – was the fifth season of Scotland's most prestigious football knockout competition. For the first time, over 100 teams took part in the competition which began with the first round on 22 September 1877. The cup was won by Vale of Leven for a second time after they defeated Glasgow club 3rd Lanark RV 1–0 in the final on 30 March 1878.

Renfrew Human settlement in Scotland

Renfrew is a town 6 miles (10 km) west of Glasgow in the west central Lowlands of Scotland. It is the historic county town of Renfrewshire. Called the "Cradle of the Royal Stewarts" for its early link with Scotland's former royal house, Renfrew gained royal burgh status in 1397.

Erskine Ferry

Erskine Ferry sailed across the River Clyde from Erskine to Old Kilpatrick. The ferry was also referred to as East Ferry of Erskine as there was another ferry to Dumbarton a few miles down river, known as West Ferry. It is reputed to be the oldest ferry crossing of the Clyde. The crossing was part of the A740 route from Paisley to Old Kilpatrick. It was established in 1777 and replaced by the Erskine Bridge in 1971.

Bodinbo Island

Bodinbo Island is an islet in the estuarine waters of the River Clyde close to the old ferry slipway at Erskine. Before the dyke or training wall was built the rocky Bodinbo Island was a prominent feature in the river hereabouts and a hazard to shipping, especially sailing craft in the dark, during foggy weather, flood conditions and in high winds. On Ordnance Survey maps the name has been transliterated to Bottombow Island and Boden Boo is the spelling variant used for the nearby woodland plantation.

Park Quay Port in Scotland

The disused Park Quay or Fulton's Quay is located on the old Lands of Park, situated on the south bank of the River Clyde in the Parish of Inchinnan, close to Newshot Island and the old Rashielee Quay. A slipway is also part of the infrastructure, giving access to the dock at low tide, both once served by roads running through the Park Estate from the south. It was recorded as Fulton's Quay in 1830, the name of a previous owner of the Park Estate who may have built it prior to 1801. A fixed light was installed at Park Quay in 1869.

Milton Island

Milton Island or Green Inch was an island in the Clyde's estuarine waters close to the old ford across the river at Dumbuck near Dumbarton. The island was once part of the tidal ford supposedly built by the Romans. Industrial activity has changed the river currents and the island has become substantially reduced in size and split into islets.

Rashielee Quay Port in Scotland

The old Rashielee Quay or Rashielie Quay (NS471709) was located on the old Lands of North Barr, situated on the south bank of the River Clyde in the Parish of Inchinnan, between Bodinbo Island and Park Quay. It was built to facilitate the loading of boats and barges with whinstone excavated from the nearby Rashielee Quarries that was brought to the quay by a horse drawn wagonway.

Newshot Island

Newshot Island or Newshot Isle was an island of circa 50 acres or 20 hectares lying in the estuarine waters of the River Clyde close to Park Quay in the Parish of Inchinnan, Renfrewshire, Scotland. Due to silting, etc. it has become part of the southern, Renfrewshire side, of the river bank and is used for grazing cattle and as a nature reserve.

Kings Inch Small Scottish island

King's Inch and the much smaller Sand Inch were islands lying in the estuarine waters of the River Clyde close to Renfrew in Renfrewshire, Scotland. Due to dredging and a change of the course of the main current of the River Clyde, silting, etc. it has become part of the southern, Renfrewshire side, of the river bank and is now built over.

References

Notes
  1. ↑ "Gazetteer of Scotland - Parish of Inchinnan" . Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  2. ↑ "Timothy Pont's map No.33" . Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  3. ↑ "Dictionary of Scots" . Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  4. ↑ "Dictionary of Scots" . Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  5. ↑ "Gordon, Robert (1580-1661) Gordon, James (1615?-1686). Sterlinshyr & Lennox, [and], Sterlingshyre, wt a part of the Lennox, and sum of Clydsdail.[ca. 1636-52" . Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  6. ↑ "Moll, Herman (d. 1732). The Shire of Lenox [i.e. Lennox] or Dunbarton / by H. Moll. London : Bowles and Bowles, 1745]" . Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  7. ↑ "William ROY - Military Survey of Scotland" . Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  8. ↑ Moore, John (2017). Mapping the clyde. Birlinn. p. 60.
  9. 1 2 3 "Whiteinch History". 24 August 2014. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  10. ↑ "The Glasgow Story - Linthouse Ford" . Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  11. ↑ "The Castle Guy" . Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  12. ↑ Metcalfe, William (1905). A History of the County of Renfrew. Alexander Gardner. p. 30.
Sources
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.