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Renfrewshire Community Plan 2008 - 2017 Langbank
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Langbank location map
Langbank is situated approximately 8.5 miles north west of Paisley, on the banks of the River Clyde. Evidence of early settlement at Langbank is still visible today in the form of an ancient dwelling, or crannog, thought to date back to the second century AD. Crab Island, as the crannog is also known, can still be seen beside the dual carriageway opposite the church. It has been excavated by archaeologists, and remains of shells, bones and a small bone comb have been found there.
Langbank probably gets its name from the long ridge which runs between Bishopton and Finlaystone on the south bank of the river Clyde.
When the Glasgow - Greenock railway line was opened in 1841, many fine houses were built along the river at Langbank. Wealthy shipbuilders owned some of the houses to which they added servants' cottages, coach-houses and stables. Langbank soon grew into the attractive village it is today.
Gleddoch House
In the 1920s shipbuilder Sir James Lithgow built Gleddoch House, although the name "Gleddoch" was given to earlier houses in the area.
Gleddoch House was opened as a country house hotel with a golf course and country club in 1975.
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Finlaystone House
Finlaystone House is the most famous landmark in the area. The lands of Finlaystone were owned by the Denniston family until the death of Sir Robert Denniston in 1399. The estate passed to Robert's daughter Margaret who married Sir William Cunningham. The Cunningham family became the new owners, and became the Earls of Glencairn in 1488. John Knox visited Finlaystone in 1556. It is said he celebrated communion under the large yew tree which still stands in the grounds. Another famous visitor was Robert Burns; etchings of his initials on a window can still be seen today.
In the early 1970s the estate was bought by the MacMillan family and was opened to the public. Visitors can see the house, the old laundry building and fine gardens with nature trails. Clan MacMillan still hold their clan gatherings there.
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Finding out more:
You can find out more about the history of Langbank by contacting Paisley Central Local Studies Library.
email: locstuds.els@renfrewshire.gov.uk
phone: 0141 889 2360
fax: 0141 887 6468
write to:
Reference and Local Studies Library
Central Library
68 High Street
Paisley
PA1 2BB
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