Scotland is the northern half of Great Britain with a population of 5.1 million. The country is divided into three main regions; the Highlands, the Midland Valley (Lowlands) and the Southern Uplands. Most of the population and the majority of Scotland's industry is located within the Midland Valley (the cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee including numerous other smaller towns). This broad valley averages 50 miles across and runs WSW to ENE across the center of the country. It is geologically distinct from the surrounding regions, being composed of Devonian Old Red Sandstone and ancient volcanoes. Its national flower is the thistle (shown right).
The coast of Scotland is deeply pierced by inlets from the sea. The larger inlets are called firths. Long, narrow inlets (fingers) reaching out from a firth or the sea are called lochs. You enter the Firth of Clyde to dock at Greenock. The Firth of Forth, on the eastern coast is the cruise entry to Edinburgh.
DOCKING at GREENOCK
Greenock and Glasgow on the western coast create the hub of a large metropolitan area. The new arrivals hall at Greenock Ocean Terminal's cruise liner facility was officially opened on Wednesday, July 1, 2009 following a striking £100K upgrade and is now a regular port of call for large cruise ships visiting Scotland.
In the early 17th century, the first pier was built in Greenock. Shipbuilding was an important employer and the town relied also on sugar refining and wool manufacturing for employment. Currently none of these industries are part of Greenock's economy. Today, reaching out to tourism, Greenock's attractive esplanade provides a gently curving riverside walk just over a mile long extending to the west from Ocean Terminal to the Royal West Boat Club.
There are several noteworthy buildings in Greenock within walking distance (1/2 mile) from the pier. The Custom House building was designed by William Burn in 1818 and is considered by many to be the finest in Britain. It now houses a customs and excise museum which is open to the public on weekdays.
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Custom House Victoria Tower
The Greenock waterfront skyline is dominated by the Victoria Tower municipal building. The Italianate tower was completed in 1886 and stands 245 feet tall. It remains uncompleted, however, as a local businessman refused to sell his building in front of the tower for less than his own price, preventing completion of the right side of the facade.
An interesting aside for visitors: Greenock is the birthplace of James Watt, the discoverer of steam power. Robert Burn's "Highland Mary" (Mary Campbell) was buried in the cemetery of North Kirk, and Catherine (Muir), a homemaker, was born in Greenock and immigrated to the US as an eleven year-old. Catherine is known for being the mother of Emmy-winning American comedian and writer Jay Leno; as in - The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
