The Admiralty Pier
The Admiralty Pier in Gourock is a derelict, L-shaped jetty located along the waterfront between Cardwell Bay and Gourock Bay (near Battery Park and West Greenock). The structure was built post-World War II by the Admiralty to accommodate warships operating in the Firth of Clyde. During the cold war era it served as an overnight mooring point and a liberty boat terminal supporting the U.S. Navy submarine base located at the nearby Holy Loch and featured a U.S. Navy shore patrol station, weather shelters, and a Ministry of Defence (MoD) police hut.
The pier is privately owned but has lain abandoned since the late 1980s and has since fallen into a state of dereliction and disrepair.
Creative Regeneration
We are working with a local group to look at the feasibility of bringing the paddling pool area back into community use, providing a range of opportunities for locals, visitors and celebrating it’s heritage.
We are seeking to learn from other groups across Scotland including the Friends of the Cellardyke Tidal Pool to The Friends of Tarlair. Both these groups are reviving and regenerating tidal pools through community led regeneration with a broad range of activities.
Our initial work includes researching into the various adaptations and infilling over the years, utilities / structural and topographical surveys and community engagement to help direct potential new uses which might include things such as:
Accessible paddling pools,
Sandpit / Beach / Deckchair area
Murals / Artworks
Performance Area / Band Stand
Shallow water based activities like boating and S T E A M activities (marine engineering)
Improving the esplanade with serviced spaces for food & drink trucks.
Potential Community Cafe / Changing Facilities at the end of the Esplanade
Getting involved
If there is ideas, knowledge, skills & experience you can offer to assist this project, please do get in touch. The local group leading on this project are looking for volunteers to help develop the group and proposals.
We are also keen to hear from anyone that may have photographs or memories of the paddling pools in use that they might be willing to share with us.
