The train station at Gourock is a convenient base for travellers to explore the Clydeside region of Scotland. This town is a popular tourist destination and has numerous attractions and sights to enjoy.
Visitors should plan ahead to avoid travel disruption. ScotRail’s new Monday to Saturday timetable will reduce the number of Glasgow to Gourock trains before the evening peak.
It’s a ferry port
The Gourock Ferry Terminal is a ferry port that serves passengers traveling to and from Glasgow. Located in Renfrewshire, the terminal is accessible by road and rail. The nearest train station is Gourock Railway Station, which offers direct connections to Glasgow with ScotsRail. The ferry terminal is a short walk from the station and has limited free parking available. Another option is to park at Riverside Gardens, which offers ample free parking and is just a 3-minute drive from the ferry terminal.
The passenger ferry service is operated by Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries. It carries passengers between Glasgow and the west of Scotland. Several services operate from Gourock, including the Western Ferries service between McInroy’s Point on the western edge of Gourock and Hunter’s Quay in Dunoon. Another service connects Gourock with Rothesay and Bute.
In addition, a number of new vessels are currently being planned for the route. A study has been undertaken to develop the harbour infrastructure and vessels requirements. This work is being led by CMAL in partnership with Transport Scotland and Argyll and Bute Council.
The Inverclyde Line runs from Glasgow Central and Paisley Gilmour Street stations through Port Glasgow and Greenock to Gourock and Wemyss Bay, with connections to local buses. The Argyll and Bute Council also provides a range of bus services to local destinations, including Gourock.
It’s a railway station
A busy railway station, Gourock Station is located on Kempock Point in Gourock, Inverclyde. It is operated by ScotRail and serves both local trains and ferry services to and from Greenock. The station has three platforms and is a flag stop, meaning that trains only stop if the signal is red.
The station was built in 1889 by the Caledonian Railway to capture a share of the Clyde steamer trade. The town grew rapidly as it became an ideal destination for day trippers from Glasgow. The town’s proximity to Greenock also made it a popular place to retire for city workers.
In the late 19th century, the town was the site of two major train wrecks. The first incident occurred in 1906. The second, in 1909, was the worst train accident in Britain’s history. It involved a locomotive and a passenger train, both of which were derailed. The engine of the No. 44 train from Guelph Junction struck the rear of the fruit special, and its driver slammed on the brakes. The train jumped from the rails and dragged for a hundred yards before it was stopped by a broken coupling.
To visit Gourock, you can take a short walk from the railway station. The route starts at Princes Pier, and heads west along the Esplanade towards Battery Park and Cardwell Bay. From there, you can head on to the Dunoon Ferry Terminal and the railway station. The walk can be extended by heading up Tower Hill.
It’s a museum
Operated by ScotRail, Gourock Station is a three-platform railway station built in 1889 at the Gourock pierhead in Scotland. It originally provided passengers with ferry services that ran between the town and other locations on the Clyde. The station was a flag stop, meaning trains stopped only if the passenger signal displayed a flag.
Today, Gourock is a busy hub with ferries serving the Western Isles and the rest of Argyll and Bute. The station is also an important point for commuters heading to Glasgow or other parts of central Scotland. It has a large concourse and is well-served by local bus services.
In 1999, approval was given for a major development plan for the area around Gourock Station. This included shortening the tracks to make way for a new station adjacent to Caledonian MacBrayne’s headquarters. In addition to the station, a park and promenade were constructed along Kempock Point, and new car parking was created as part of a one-way system.
The area surrounding the station is popular for walking, with several bars and restaurants along the main street. The most popular place for a meal is the Kempock Street Bar and Grill, but you can also find My Kitchen, Gianni’s Pizzeria and Bakehouse. A number of local pubs also feature live music. If you want to stay nearby, there are several budget chain hotels.
It’s a shopping centre
Gourock is a coastal town that stretches along the Clyde estuary on the south side of the Firth of Clyde. The main shopping area is Kempock Street, which features a number of traditional shops and restaurants. It is also home to the ice cream parlours and the open-air waterfront swimming pool, one of only three in Scotland. The town also contains the castle of Castle Levan, a fortified tower house that dates from the 14th century.
The railway station at Gourock Pierhead provides services to Glasgow, Paisley, and Wemyss Bay. It is located near the headquarters of Caledonian MacBrayne, which runs passenger ferries to Dunoon and Kilcreggan from the pier.
The railway station has a mix of car parks, all of which are Pay & Display and have a flat rate of £2 per day Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm. Parking is also available on-street where vehicles can park on Kempock Street, Kempock Place, and Shore Street for up to 1 hour. Parking discs must be displayed at all times. There is also a bus-only zone in Gourock, and passengers can use their rail tickets on McGill’s buses.
