Helensburgh Tour
Helensburgh is a charming Victorian coastal town on the north side of the Firth of Forth. This guided tour wanders past many fine houses and fair gardens set with mountains on the horizon.There is a sunken sugar boat in the Firth of Forth, the gateway to the secret Argyll west coast. There is an award-winning bistro called the Sugar Boat with the same name. Helensburgh was built in 1752 by James Colquhoun. It sits on the river Clyde, and named the town “my Lady Helen’s burgh” after his wife Lady Helen Sutherland. It has great food eateries to rival any in the West End of Glasgow. Helensburgh Tour is 40 minutes from Glasgow by train, see Scotrail.
Highlights on the walking tour, of the various architectural designs by Charles Rennie Mackintosh former Conservative club, theatre converted to civic use by John Honeyman. The Helensburgh Parish Church, a fine Victorian Gothic building by J. M. Hay. The walking is on level tree-lined streets with pink cherry blossoms in the spring.
Local walk guide Gerena explores dark secrets, opulent churches, historical landmarks. A 1.5km promenade on the waterfront that stretches to Cairndhu Point, relaxing for an evening stroll to see the lights of Greenock and Inverclyde area. We will cover only a small part of the waterfront on the guided walking tour. On a clear day we can see towards Roseneath peninsula and right up Gareloch to Loch Long to the fabulous Arrochar Alps.
Reveal tales of Sir James Colquhoun a Black watch officer, and Lady Helen Colquhoun who had eight children. John Logie Baird with his famous television invention, and Henry Bell with his maritime achievements. We stand on the beginning of the John Muir Way, a 134 mile long distance trail from Helensburgh to Dunbar. All who contributed to the heritage and affluence of Helensburgh.
Helensburgh Tour available Monday through Friday.
Time: 2pm| duration 60 minutes
Price: £16 per person
Grade: Flat around the town
- Jul 27 2026
- 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
- £16.00
- gerena@argyllwalks.co.uk
-
In 2016, a tree fell on the Visitor Information Centre I managed in Tarbet, Loch Lomond- bringing five years of hard work to an abrupt end. Redundancy felt like a loss, but it also cracked open a new path. A retail job in Luss helped me retrain and reconnect with Scottish heritage. Visitors were eager to hear stories – Clan Colquhoun, tartan, folklore, and roots. That spark lit the way. By 2018, I saw a gap in the area surrounding Loch Lomond for guided walking tours. And in 2019, I took the leap. In for a penny, in for a pound- I launched Argyll Walks with nothing but a kitchen table, a head full of stories, and a heart ready to rebuild. What began as a career pivot became a purposed-led business. Today, I work from my upstairs desk in Arrochar, designing bespoke walking experiences for curious travellers, charities and corporate groups. Each tour is crafted with emotional resonance, sensory storytelling, and a deep respect for Scotland’s landscapes and legacy. Every walk builds confidence. Every story invites connection. And every step is a reminder that resilience can lead to something beautiful.
