THE remarkable story of the life and times of a Helensburgh girl who was taken to Canada as a bride and started a family dynasty features in the first of a series of three books which has now been published.
It is a labour of love by her grandson, John McLeod, who lives in Toronto, and he took on the project after his mother, Mary Marvin McLeod, died in 2003 at the age of 82 after working on the books since 1980.
A HELENSBURGH-born artist had a remarkable life . . . as the wife of a politician who twice tried to become President of the United States and a friend of heads of state.
Nancy Patterson Pigott was born on January 21 1911 at St Anne’s, Charlotte Street, but became a significant figure in American politics under her married name of Nancy Kefauver.
A BOY whose parents ran a hotel at Garelochhead grew up to have a colourful and successful career in journalism and politics before his premature death at the age of 48.
Hector McNeill was born at the Temperance Hotel in the village’s main street on March 10 1907, and went on to become Secretary of State for Scotland.
AN Australian’s search for where a celebrated ancestor was buried led him to Helensburgh.
John McClean believes the last resting place of Hugh MacLean, the 16th and last Laird of the island of Coll, may be one of the local cemeteries.
ONE of Garelochside’s most famous and colourful sons was known as Jolly Jack Phosphorus and invented a six pound gun . . .
But, much more importantly, he was the man who founded a Glasgow educational institution which became the University of Strathclyde.
ONE of the great characters of Helensburgh and district history is Susie, of Susie’s Castle fame, and in the summer of 2010 new information and pictures came to light.
Born Susan McGlone in 1847, Susie — or Suzie or Suzy, as her name was sometimes spelled — was a well-known character, not only at Portincaple, where she lived for many years until her death on January 20 1929, but also much further afield as well.
A VICTORIAN rebel who led a colourful and controversial life found the peace and quiet he longed for to recharge his batteries beside Loch Long.
The village of Portincaple was the regular holiday home of Charles Bradlaugh MP, who was born on September 23 1833 and died on January 30 1891.
THE colourful life of a Kilcreggan-born doctor included active service in World War One — and later being a member of the ringside team of a world boxing champion.
John Cameron was born on December 8 1881 at Prince’s Terrace, the second son of master plumber and later Cove and Kilcreggan Town Council member and JP Alexander Cameron, and his wife Elizabeth McFie.
A REMARKABLE tribute was paid on March 4 2009 to a Rosneath Peninsula man who had a huge impact in spreading the joy of music amongst people of all ages and abilities.
The Ronnie Walker Memorial Concert was held in a packed Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow in aid of the Musicians Benevolent Fund and Cancer Research UK.
A CARDROSS couple are both leading Scottish artists, acclaimed by their peers.
Helensburgh and District Art Club members James Spence, RSW, RGI, who is 80, and his wife, Anda Paterson, RSW, RGI, who is six years younger, were two of the three founders of the Glasgow Group of artists in 1957.
A HELENSBURGH singer was a highly regarded member of the chorus group at the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden for 30 years.
Born in Adelaide Street in the town in 1920, Daniel McCoshan travelled the world and sang with some of the great names in opera before his death on January 21 2003 at the age of 82.
Side by Side — The Traverse Theatre
By Terry Lane
