View source for Greenock

{{other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2013}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country = Scotland
| type = [[Town]] and [[administrative centre]]
| official_name = Greenock
| gaelic_name = Grianaig
| scots_name = Greenock
| population = 42,870
| population_ref = <ref>Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government. Greenock - local data profile. (2025).</ref>
| population_demonym = Greenockian
| area_total_km2 = 12.7
| area_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/php/uk-scotland.php?cityid=S19000916 |title=Greenock (Inverclyde, Scotland, United Kingdom) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map, Location, Weather and Web Information |website=www.citypopulation.de |access-date=14 April 2019}}</ref>
| os_grid_reference = NS275764
| coordinates = {{coord|55.950|-4.765|display=inline,title}}
| unitary_scotland = [[Inverclyde]]
| lieutenancy_scotland = [[Renfrewshire]]
| constituency_westminster = [[Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West (UK Parliament constituency)|Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West]]
| constituency_scottish_parliament = [[Greenock and Inverclyde (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Greenock and Inverclyde]]
| post_town = GREENOCK
| postcode_district = PA15, PA16
| postcode_area = PA
| dial_code = 01475
| london_distance_mi = 360
| static_image = {{multiple image
| border                   = infobox
| total_width              = 280
| image_style              = border:1;
| perrow                   = 1/2/2/2
| image1                   = View of Greenock from Auchmountain Road (Inverclyde, Scotland, DSCF9281).jpg
| alt1                     = Derwent House 
| image2                   = Greenock2307gp.jpg
| alt2                     = Laigh Kirk 
| image3                   = Greenock municipal buildings.jpg
| alt3                     = Johnnie Walker Bond 
| image4                   = Free French memorial on Lyle Hill - geograph.org.uk - 5985136.jpg
| alt4                     = Bank Street
| image5                   = Lyle Road viewpoint - geograph.org.uk - 3095470.jpg
| alt5                     = Robert Burns Statue 
}}
| static_image_caption = ''From top; left–right'': View of Greenock from Auchmountain Road; view over Greenock and Cruise Terminal (right); [[Greenock Municipal Buildings]]; the [[Free France]] monument atop [[Lyle Hill]]; view from Lyle Hill
}}

'''Greenock''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=Greenock.ogg|ˈ|ɡ|r|iː|n|ə|k}}; {{langx|sco|Greenock}}; {{langx|gd|Grianaig}}, {{IPA|gd|ˈkɾʲiənɛkʲ|pron}}) is a [[town]] in [[Inverclyde]], Scotland, located in the west [[central Lowlands]] of [[Scotland]]. The town is the [[administrative centre]] of [[Inverclyde Council]]. It is a former [[burgh of barony|burgh]] within the [[Counties of Scotland|historic county]] of [[Renfrewshire (historic)|Renfrewshire]], and forms part of a contiguous urban area with [[Gourock]] to the west and [[Port Glasgow]] to the east.

The [[2021–2022 United Kingdom censuses|2022 Census for Scotland]] showed that Greenock had a population of 42,870, a decrease from the 44,248 recorded in the [[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 UK Census]].<ref>Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government. Greenock - local data profile. (2025).</ref> It lies on the south bank of the Clyde at the "[[Tail of the Bank]]" where the [[River Clyde]] deepens into the [[Firth of Clyde]].

== History ==
=== Name ===
Place-name scholar [[William J. Watson]] wrote that "Greenock is well known in Gaelic as {{lang|gd|Grianáig}}, dative of {{lang|gd|grianág}}, 'a sunny knoll{{'"}}.<ref>W. J. Watson, ''The History of the Celtic Place-Names of Scotland'' (Edinburgh, 1926), p. 201.</ref> The [[Scottish Gaelic]] place-name {{lang|gd|Grianaig}} is relatively common, with another Greenock near [[Callander]] in [[Menteith]] (formerly in Perthshire) and yet another at [[Muirkirk]] in [[Kyle, Ayrshire|Kyle]], now in [[East Ayrshire]].<ref>Watson, ''The History of the Celtic Place-Names of Scotland'', p. 201.</ref> R. M. Smith in  (1921) described the alternative derivation from [[Common Brittonic]] *{{lang|cel-x-combrit|Graenag}}, 'gravelly or sandy place', as more appropriate, accurately describing the original foreshore.<ref>{{harvnb|Smith|1921|pp=8–9}}</ref> Johnston (1934) notes that "some Gaels call the seaport {{lang|gd|Ghónait}}, and that a possible derivation may be {{lang|gd|greannach}}, meaning 'rough, gravelly'.<ref>Johnston, J. B. (1934) ''Place-names of Scotland'', John Murray, p. 197</ref>

The name of the town has had various spellings over time. It was printed in early Acts of Parliament as ''Grinok'', ''Greenhok'', ''Grinock'', ''Greenhoke'', ''Greinnock'', and later as ''Greinok''. Old Presbyterial records used ''Grenok'', a common spelling until it was changed to Greenock around 1700. ''Grenock'' was also used in the 19th century, e.g. in ''[[Lloyd's List]]'' publications.<ref>Example: {{cite book |title=Lloyd's Register (The New Register-book of Shipping) |volume=Shipowners |date=1804 |edition=6th |publisher=Society of Merchants, Ship-owners & Under-writers |at="Abbreviations: In the Eighth Column" (p. unnumbered, part of introduction) |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROSS1804 |url-access=registration |via=Internet Archive and Lloyd's Register Foundation, Heritage & Education Centre}}</ref>

The spelling ''Greenoak'' was found in two factory accounts dating back to 1717, and a legend developed of a green oak tree at the edge of the Clyde at William Street being used by fishermen to tie up their boats. No reliable source has been found referencing green oaks, however, and so this has been generally dismissed as imaginative Anglophone [[folk etymology]]. Nonetheless the image has frequently been used as an emblem or logo, carved on public buildings, used on banners and badges,<ref>{{harvnb|Smith|1921|p=9}}</ref> and was once emblazoned on the local [[Co-op UK|Co-operative Society]] emblem. It reappeared in 1992 as the new shopping centre's name, the Oak Mall, which uses a green tree as its logo. The name is also recalled in a local song ("The Green Oak Tree"). Significantly, no green oak appears on the former burgh [[coat of arms]], which features the three chalices of the Shaw Stewarts, a sailing ship in full sail, and two [[herring]] above the motto "God Speed Greenock".

=== Early history ===
[[File:Old West Kirk east 18.jpg|thumb|The [[Old West Kirk]] of 1591, much altered over the years, was moved in 1928 to a new location, again close to the [[Firth of Clyde]].]]
Hugh de Grenock was created a Scottish [[Baron]] in 1296, and the seat of the [[Scottish feudal barony|feudal barony]] of Greenock was apparently{{weasel inline|date=November 2022}} what became [[Easter Greenock Castle]]. Around 1400 his successor Malcolm Galbraith died with no sons, and his estate was divided between his two daughters to become two baronies: the eldest inherited Easter Greenock and married a Crawfurd, while Wester Greenock went to the younger daughter who married Schaw of Sauchie. Around 1540 the adjoining barony of [[Finnart]] was passed to the Schaw family, extending their holdings westward to the boundary of [[Gourock]], and in 1542 Sir John Schaw founded Wester Greenock castle.<ref>{{harvnb|Smith|1921|pp=4–5}}</ref><ref name="Sweet">{{cite web | last=Sweet | first=Andy | title=Greenock Castle (site of) - Castle in Greenock, Renfrewshire | website=Stravaiging around Scotland | url=http://www.stravaiging.com/history/castle/wester-greenock-schaw | access-date=19 February 2018}}</ref>

The [[Scottish Reformation]] of 1560 closed the chapels in the parish, and as the parish church was some {{convert|6|mi|km|0|abbr=off}} distant at [[Inverkip]] over a difficult route which was impassable in winter, in 1589 John Schaw obtained a charter from [[King James VI]] to build a kirk for the "poor people upon his lands who were all fishers and of a reasonable number".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Weir |first=Daniel |title=History of the Town of Greenock |publisher=Robertson & Atkinson, Glasgow; John Boyd, Edinburgh; Whittaker & Co., London. |year=1829 |location=Greenock |pages=12–14}}</ref> Later known as the Old Kirk or the [[Old West Kirk]], it was constructed on the west bank of the West Burn estuary and is reputed to have been the first [[Protestant]] church built in Scotland after the Reformation.<ref>{{harvnb|Smith|1921|pp=9, 86, 109}}<br />{{harvnb|Monteith|2004|p=3}}</ref>

The Schaw, later [[Shaw baronets|Shaw]] and [[Shaw-Stewart baronets|Shaw-Stewart]], family retained a leading role in Greenock over the following centuries. In 1670, Sir John Shaw   obtained a charter from [[Charles II of England|King Charles II]], combining the lands of [[Finnart]] and the barony of Wester Greenock, to create the barony of Greenock.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |title=A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Originally published by S Lewis, London, 1846. |url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/topographical-dict/scotland/pp514-527#h3-0027 |website=British History Online}}</ref>

=== Fishing villages, harbours and shipbuilding ===
[[File:Greenock Gazeteer of Scotland.jpg|thumb|Waterfront, [[Roadstead|roads]] outside the harbour, c.&nbsp;1838]]

The coast of Greenock formed a broad bay with three smaller indentations: the Bay of Quick was known as a safe anchorage as far back as 1164. To its east, a sandy bay ran eastwards from the Old Kirk and the West Burn as far as Wester Greenock castle. The fishing village of Greenock developed along this bay, and around 1635 Sir John Schaw had a jetty built into the bay which became known as Sir John's Bay. In that year he obtained a Charter raising Greenock to a Burgh of Barony with rights to a weekly market. Further east, Saint Laurence Bay curved round past the Crawfurd Barony of Easter Greenock to Garvel (or Gravel) Point. When a pier (or dyke) was built making the bay an important harbour, the fishing village of Cartsdyke gained the alternative name of Craufurdsdyke. In 1642 it was made into the Burgh of Barony of Crawfurdsdyke, and part of the ill-fated [[Darien Scheme]] set out from this pier in 1697. Its town was named Cartsburn.<ref>{{harvnb|Smith|1921|pp=6, 9, 64}}<br />{{harvnb|Brown|1905|p=4}}</ref><ref name="Roy Greenock–PG">{{cite web | title=Roy Military Survey of Scotland, 1747–1752, Greenock, Craufurdsdyke, Newport Glasgow | website=National Library of Scotland, Map images | url=https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=13.0&lat=55.93858&lon=-4.71763&layers=3&b=1&o=100&marker=55.940501,-4.727982 | access-date=29 April 2024}}</ref>

The fishing trade grew prosperous, with barrels of salted [[herring]] exported widely, and shipping trade developed. As seagoing ships could not go further up the [[River Clyde]], the [[Glasgow]] merchants including the [[Tobacco Lords]] wanted harbour access but were in disputes with Greenock over harbour dues and warehouses. They tried to buy the Garvel estate for a harbour when Easter Greenock lands were put up for sale to meet debts, but were outbid by Sir John Schaw who then got a Crown Charter of 1670 uniting Easter and Wester Greenock into the Burgh Barony of Greenock. A separate [[Barony of Cartsburn]] was created, the first baron being Thomas Craufurd. In 1668 the City of Glasgow got the lease of {{convert|13|acre|ha|0|abbr=off}} of land upriver close to [[Newark Castle, Port Glasgow|Newark Castle]], and construction promptly started on [[Port Glasgow|Newport Glasgow]] harbour which by 1710 had the principal Clyde [[custom house]].<ref>{{harvnb|Smith|1921|pp=6, 55, 85}}<br />{{harvnb|Monteith|2003|p=3}}</ref><ref name="Roy Greenock–PG"/>

In 1696 and 1700 Schaw and residents of the town made unsuccessful bids to the Scottish Parliament for grants for a Greenock harbour, then when the [[Act of Union 1707]] opened up involvement in colonial trade, they raised their own funds. The work was completed in 1710, with [[wharf|quays]] extended out into Sir John's Bay to enclose the harbour. In 1711 the shipbuilding industry was founded when [[Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company|Scotts]] leased ground between the harbour and the West Burn to build fishing boats. Greenock rapidly became a major port and shipbuilding centre, and though tobacco imported from the colonies was taken to Glasgow by pack horse, the more bulky imports of sugar were processed locally. From 1774 the dredging of the River Clyde increasingly allowed ships to take merchandise directly to Glasgow, but merchants continued to use Greenock harbour.

The [[American Revolutionary War]] temporarily interrupted trade, and the gun battery of Fort Beauclerc near the West Burn was extended to guard against the threat of [[privateer]]s, but the emphasis shifted to wider markets including imports of [[rum]] and sugar from the [[Caribbean]], wines from Spain, and fish from North America. A [[whaling]] business operated for about 40 years. Greenock "was mainly a trading port for goods such as sugar and cotton, but also dispatched ships to West Africa [[Atlantic slave trade|to take people to be enslaved]]" in Britain's American colonies.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Lisa|last=Williams|title=Remaking our histories: Scotland, Slavery and Empire|url=https://www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/features/remaking-our-histories-scotland-slavery-and-empire|website=[[National Galleries Scotland]]|date=9 October 2016|access-date=9 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Smith|1921|pp=6, 55, 85, 87, 94}}</ref> In 1868, in what became a ''[[cause celebre]]'',<ref>{{cite book|last=James|first=B.|title=Popular Crime: Reflections on the Celebration of Violence|year=2011|publisher=Simon and Schuster|location=New York|isbn=978-1-41655-274-1|page=51}}</ref> seven young Greenock males [[Greenock stowaways|stowed away on a cargo ship]] bound for [[Quebec]]. Treated with what was, even for the times, exceptional brutality, they were forcibly disembarked in [[Newfoundland]]; by the time they were returned to Scotland, three of them had died. The Captain and mate of the cargo ship were tried in a blaze of publicity at the [[High Court of Justiciary]] in Edinburgh and served short prison terms.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McDermott |first1=S. |title=The Boys on the Ice |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/the_boys_on_the_ice |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC |access-date=25 June 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180625165248/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/the_boys_on_the_ice |archive-date=25 June 2018 |date=30 May 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Custom House and steamboats ===
{{Anchor|Custom House}}
{{Anchor|Custom House Quay}}
[[File:Custom House from quay, Greenock.jpg|thumb|The Custom House, viewed from Custom House Quay.]]
In 1714 Greenock became a [[custom house]] port as a branch of [[Port Glasgow]], and for a period this operated from rooms leased in Greenock. Receipts rose rapidly with the expansion of colonial trade, and in 1778 the custom house moved to newly-built premises at the West Quay of the harbour.<ref name="customhouse">{{harvnb|Monteith|2004|p=19}}</ref>

By 1791 a new pier was constructed at the East Quay. In 1812 Europe's first steamboat service was introduced by {{PS|Comet}} with frequent sailings between Glasgow, Greenock and [[Helensburgh]], and as trade built up the pier became known as Steamboat Quay.

The custom house needed larger premises and in May 1817 the foundation stone was laid at Steamboat Quay for a Custom House building designed by [[William Burn]], which was completed in 1818. Its gracious [[neoclassical architecture]] features a Grecian [[Doric order|Doric]] [[portico]] looking out over the quay,<ref name="customhouse" /><ref name="OS 6in 1857">{{cite web | title=OS Six-inch 1st edition, surveyed 1857, published 1864 (Renfrewshire, Sheet II) | website=National Library of Scotland, Map images | url=https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=15.2&lat=55.95008&lon=-4.74871&layers=257s&b=1&o=100&marker=55.948427,-4.750647 | access-date=29 April 2024}}</ref> which would eventually be renamed Custom House Quay.<ref name="OS 25in 1896">{{cite web | title=OS 25 inch 2nd edition, surveyed 1896, published 1897 | website=National Library of Scotland, Map images | url=https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=15.2&lat=55.95008&lon=-4.74871&layers=168s&b=1&o=100&marker=55.948427,-4.750647 | access-date=30 April 2024}}</ref> In 1828 the Custom House was praised as "a grand National Structure" in "the highest style of elegance". By then there were scheduled steamboat sailings to [[Belfast]], [[Derry]], Liverpool, [[Inverness]], [[Campbeltown]], the [[Hebrides]] and "all the principal places in the Highlands".<ref>{{harvnb|Wood|1828|pp=172–175}}</ref>

The Custom House underwent extensive refurbishment which was completed in 1989 and, until closure of the building in 2010, housed a customs and [[excise]] museum which was open to the public. In June 2008 [[HM Revenue and Customs]] (HMRC) announced that the building would close in 2011 as part of a rationalisation project with any jobs being transferred to offices in [[Glasgow]], and despite a campaign to oppose these plans, the building closed in August 2010.

Riverside Inverclyde arranged further refurbishment works, and in 2013 announced that space had already been let to companies including PG Paper Company Ltd and [[Toshiba]] which had planning permission to form meeting rooms and an executive office in the building.<ref>{{cite web
  | title       = Regeneration Projects Attracting Interest
  | url         = http://www.inverclydenow.com/today/10801-regeneration-projects-attracting-interest
  | publisher   = Inverclyde Now
  | date        = 16 November 2013
  | access-date  = 10 December 2013
  | url-status     = dead
  | archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20131212223938/http://www.inverclydenow.com/today/10801-regeneration-projects-attracting-interest
  | archive-date = 12 December 2013
  | df          = dmy-all
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web
  | url         = http://www.heraldscotland.com/business/13774549.PG_Paper_moves_to_Greenock_s_Custom_House/
  | title       = PG Paper moves to Greenock's Custom House
  | website     = HeraldScotland
  | date = 22 September 2015
 | language    = en
  | access-date = 2017-02-06
}}</ref> [[Greenock Telegraph]] estimated that £4.1 million has been spent over five-year period for the renovation works.<ref>{{Cite web
  | url         = http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/news/14497370.__4m_Greenock_Custom_House_project_nears_an_end/
  | title       = £4m Greenock Custom House project nears an end
  | website     = Greenock Telegraph
  | date = 17 May 2016
 | language    = en
  | access-date = 2017-02-06
}}</ref>

=== Industry and railways ===
[[File:Greenock Cut 011006 nr Overton.jpg|thumb|right|''The Cut'' – [[aqueduct (watercourse)|aqueduct]]]]
[[File:Greenock muni blgs2.jpg|thumb|right|View from above Cathcart Street over Cathcart Square to [[Greenock Municipal Buildings]], with the Victoria Tower to the right of "Cowan's Corner", and the ''Mid Kirk'' spire of 1781 to the left.]]

Greenock became a centre of industry, with water power being used to process imported goods. In 1827 [[Loch Thom]] was constructed as a reservoir with ''The Cut'' [[aqueduct (watercourse)|aqueduct]], bringing water to two lines of falls for water mills to power a paper mill, cotton and woollen mills, sugar refineries and shipbuilding

[[Greenock Central railway station]] at Cathcart Street opened in 1841, for the first time providing a fast route from Glasgow to the coast linking up with [[Clyde steamer]] services. The provision of this new line meant there was no need to take the steamer all the way down river from Glasgow. In 1869 the [[Caledonian Railway]] was bypassed by the rival [[Greenock and Ayrshire Railway]] which opened a station on the waterfront at its [[Greenock Princes Pier railway station|Albert Harbour station]] (later renamed Princes Pier), served by a tunnel under Greenock's west end. To regain custom, the Caledonian Railway extended (what is now known as the [[Inverclyde Line]]) the [[Glasgow, Paisley and Greenock Railway]] west to Gourock; this line was built to run inland through deep cuttings and tunnels, with a tunnel under the whole length of Newton Street crossing under the other railway tunnel to emerge near [[Fort Matilda railway station]]. Spoil from the cuttings and tunnels was used to build an embankment out from the shore to a long timber wharf at [[Gourock railway station]], providing space for railway sidings.{{sfn|Monteith|2004|pp=40, 47, 84, 70, 94.}} The railway bought Wester Greenock castle and its extension, the Mansion House, and demolished them before constructing the tunnel immediately west of Greenock Central station, running under the castle grounds which now form Well Park.<ref name="Sweet" />

Greenock's increasing importance and wealth was manifested in the construction of the [[Greenock Municipal Buildings]], whose Victoria Tower, completed in 1886, stands {{convert|245|ft|m|abbr=off}} tall.<ref name="ArtStrachan2008">{{cite book| author1   = Sphinx Fine Art| author2   = Edward Strachan| author3   = Roy Bolton| title     = Russia & Europe in the Nineteenth Century| url       = https://books.google.com/books?id=vnf_0IVt1GgC&pg=PA30| year      = 2008| publisher = Sphinx Fine Art| isbn      = 978-1-907200-02-1| pages = 30–}}</ref> The [[War of 1812]] reawakened fears of American raids against Britain's ports. Earlier gun batteries had been dismantled and in 1813 ground was granted for a battery at Whitefarland Point. [[Fort Matilda]] was completed in 1818 and was sporadically modified over the century. The land to the west of this was common ground for inhabitants of the town, but in 1907 the [[British Admiralty|Admiralty]] compulsorily purchased part of this land for a torpedo factory. The remaining space was handed over to Greenock Corporation in 1914 as a public park.<ref>{{harvnb|Smith|1921|pp=148, 168–169}}</ref>

The ''Clyde Torpedo Factory'' opened in 1910, with 700 workers transferred from the [[Royal Arsenal]], [[Woolwich]]. The site was tasked with designing and testing of [[torpedoes]], the testing taking place in [[Loch Long]]. During the [[Second World War]] the site switched entirely to manufacturing torpedoes. The original gun battery site was occupied by the ''Navy Buildings'', the main offices, just to the east of the torpedo factory buildings.
Following WW2, in 1947,<ref>{{cite web
  | url       = http://www.secretscotland.org.uk/index.php/Secrets/RoyalNavalTorpedoFactories
  | title     = Secret Scotland – Royal Naval Torpedo Factories
}}</ref>  the site became fully committed to R&D as the Torpedo Experimental Establishment (TEE).  TEE was closed in 1959, when all torpedo research, development and design were concentrated at the newly formed Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment (AUWE), Portland.<ref>I worked there 1957–59</ref>

A church which became known as the [[Old West Kirk]] had been established in Greenock in 1591 under the patronage of John Schaw, the first built in Scotland since the [[Scottish Reformation|Reformation]]. It was extended over the years, at an early stage the Schaw aisle provided pews for the Laird of the Barony, built as a gallery to the east of the nave of the church. Opposite it, above the front entrance, is the Crawfurdsburn or Choir Gallery. At the south end of the nave, the Sailor's Loft gallery was built in 1698 and features a 19th-century model frigate, which replaced earlier models. At the north end, the Farmer's Gallery is above the main seating area. A tower was added in the mid 19th century.

In 1926, to make way for expansion of the [[Harland & Wolff]] shipyard (the present-day location of Container Way), the Old West Kirk was relocated to a new site on the Esplanade where it still stands. The shipbuilders provided the Pirrie Hall to the south of the site: this was opened in February 1925, just after the old church closed for work to commence, and was used during the works to accommodate services, enabling the congregation to see progress on the rebuilt kirk. It then came into use as the church hall.

The church is notable for [[stained glass]] by artists such as [[Dante Gabriel Rossetti]] and Sir [[Edward Burne-Jones]]. The Church has a website.<ref>{{cite web
  | url        = http://www.lylekirk.org/owk%20web2/Page0.html
  | title      = Welcome To The Old West Kirk, Greenock
  | publisher  = Lyle Kirk
  | access-date = 2016-09-15
}}</ref>

=== Second World War ===
{{main|Greenock Blitz}} 
[[File:Free French Memorial Greenock.jpg|thumb|right|[[Free French Forces|Free French]] Memorial on [[Lyle Hill]] overlooking Gourock]]

Greenock suffered badly during the [[Second World War]] and its anchorage at the [[Tail of the Bank]] became the base for the [[Home Fleet]] as well as the main assembly point for [[Atlantic]] convoys. On 30 April 1940 the French [[Vauquelin class destroyer]] ''[[French destroyer Maillé Brézé (1931)|Maillé Brézé]]'' blew up off Greenock with heavy loss of life following an accident involving two of her own torpedoes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fs Maille Breze: Tail Of The Bank, Upper Firth Of Clyde {{!}} Canmore |url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/102453/fs-maille-breze-tail-of-the-bank-upper-firth-of-clyde |access-date=2023-01-19 |website=canmore.org.uk |language=en}}</ref> Although this disaster occurred before the [[Free French Forces#Cross of Lorraine|Free French]] Naval Forces were established, many people tend to regard the [[Cross of Lorraine]] on [[Lyle Hill]] as a memorial to the loss of the ''Maillé Brézé'' as well as to the later losses of the [[Free French Naval Forces]] which sailed from the town. On the nights of 6 May and 7 May 1941 around 300 [[Luftwaffe]] aircraft attacked the town in the [[Greenock Blitz]].

On 10 October 1940, [[RAF Greenock]] was created as a maintenance base for RAF flying boats. The base was hit on 7 May 1941 during the Greenock Blitz.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.abct.org.uk/airfields/airfield-finder/greenock/|title = Greenock - Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust UK}}</ref>

A large building housing a drapery business constructed on Cowan's property at the corner of the Municipal Buildings was badly damaged and was demolished, leaving the blank brick corner area still known as "Cowan's Corner". This was later landscaped and used as a garden.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/opinion/14019379.shop-ownerrsquos-fight-to-defend-cowanrsquos-corner/  |title=Shop owner's fight to defend Cowan's Corner|date=24 March 2015|publisher=Greenock Telegraph| access-date=4 April 2021}}</ref> The neighbouring Municipal Buildings was also severely damaged during the bombings, which soon led to the loss of a Southern Tower, and two pediments situated on top of the South Façade of the buildings.

=== Post–war years ===
[[File:Panoramic view of Greenock in 1983 (from Tower Block UK photo cl2-19b).jpg|thumb|right|Panoramic view of Greenock in 1983 with numerous tower blocks visible]]
Greenock thrived in the post-war years but as the heavy industries declined in the 1970s and 1980s unemployment became a major problem, and it has only been in the last ten years with reinvestment and the redevelopment of large sections of the town that the local economy has started to revive. Tourism has appeared as an unexpected bonus with the development of the Clydeport [[container port]] as Ocean Terminal, a [[passenger terminal (maritime)|passenger terminal]] for [[cruise ship]]s touring the Atlantic. Students who do not travel further afield for study often attend the Greenock campus of West College (formerly known as [[James Watt College]] of Further and Higher Education).

Greenock reached its population peak in 1921 (81,123) and was once the sixth largest town in Scotland.

== Governance ==
{{Main|Greenock and Inverclyde (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Greenock (UK Parliament constituency)}}
[[File:Greenock Municipal Buildings - geograph.org.uk - 5495559.jpg|thumb|right|Greenock Municipal Buildings]]

Until 1974, Greenock was a [[parliamentary burgh]] in its own right. It was merged with Port Glasgow to form [[Greenock and Port Glasgow (UK Parliament constituency)|Greenock and Port Glasgow]] constituency. In 1997, it became [[Greenock and Inverclyde (UK Parliament constituency)|Greenock and Inverclyde]]. After the redistribution of Scottish seats, it was merged into an enlarged ''[[Inverclyde (UK Parliament constituency)|Inverclyde]]'' constituency – the first time in political history that Greenock has not been named in a parliamentary seat. ''[[Greenock and Inverclyde (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Greenock and Inverclyde]]'' remains a [[Scottish Parliament]] constituency.

Greenock is the administrative centre of [[Inverclyde Council]], the local authority responsible for the wider [[Inverclyde]] area in which Greenock is located. The council is based in the [[Greenock Municipal Buildings]].

== Climate ==
{{climate chart
| Greenock
| 1| 6|74.6
| 1| 7|54.5
| 2| 8|53.8
| 3|11|37.9
| 6|15|34.4
| 9|17|35.1
|11|19|39.2
|11|18|52.2
| 8|16|45.3
| 6|12|80.5
| 3| 9|67.5
| 2| 7|68.6
|maxprecip = 80.5
|float     = right
|clear     = right
|units     = <!-- Celsius -->
|source    = <!-- Temp.: [[:File:Greenock Temp.GIF]] --> Precipitation:<ref>{{cite web |title=Climate & Weather Averages in Greenock, Scotland, United Kingdom |url=https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/@2647948/climate |website=Timeanddate.com |access-date=9 October 2019 |language=en}}. Data for period 1985–2015.</ref>
}}
Greenock's climate is [[temperate]] [[Maritime climate|maritime]] having mainly cool summers and mild winters. The coastal location means that the heat capacity of seawater helps keep winter temperatures higher than locations just a few miles inland.

Although there has been recent debate <ref name=ClimateMythology>{{Cite web|url=http://ocp.ldeo.columbia.edu/res/div/ocp/gs/|title=The Gulf Stream Myth|website=ocp.ldeo.columbia.edu}}</ref> the moderating influence of the [[North Atlantic Drift]], a warm oceanic current that is the eastern extension of the [[Gulf Stream]], means that Greenock's average temperature is approximately one degree Celsius greater than eastern Scottish coastal towns on the same latitude (55.94 degrees north); whilst in winter, Greenock is considerably warmer than continental locations at the same latitude, such as Moscow.

Anecdotally Greenock has a reputation for receiving higher than average rainfall (the song ''The Green Oak Tree'' comments on this). Whilst the rainfall is indeed higher than the average recorded at Scottish weather stations, the greatest rainfall in Scotland occurs on the west (ocean) facing mountain slopes of [[Lochaber]], near [[Fort William, Highland|Fort William]] in the [[Scottish Highlands|Highlands]].<ref>{{cite web
  | url         = http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/ns/
  | title       = Northern Scotland: climate
  | publisher   = Met Office
  | access-date  = 2010-05-07
  | url-status     = dead
  | archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110813193523/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/ns/
  | archive-date = 13 August 2011
  | df          = dmy-all
}}</ref>

Greenock's latitude means long hours of [[daylight]] in [[midsummer]] with the opposite true in [[winter solstice|midwinter]]. On the summer solstice, usually observed on the 21 June, the sun rises at 04:31 and sets at 22:07. On the winter solstice, usually 21 December, the sun rises at 08:46 and sets at 15:44.

{{clear}}

==Education==
{{main|Education in Scotland}} 
[[File:Inverclyde Academy - geograph.org.uk - 1089387.jpg|thumb|right|[[Inverclyde Academy]] (2012)]] 
[[File:Notre Dame High School - geograph.org.uk - 2591409.jpg|thumb|right|Notre Dame High School (2011)]]
The Highlanders academy was built in 1837, partly by subscription, and partly by grant from government, on a site given by the late Sir Michael Shaw Stewart.<ref name="auto"/>

Greenock has the following primary schools as of 2023: 
* Ardgowan Primary School, on Newton Street
* Lady Alice Primary School, on Gateside Avenue
* St Josephs R C Primary School, on Wren Road
* St Mary's Catholic Primary School, on Patrick Street
* St Patricks Primary School, on Cornhaddock Street
* Whinhill Primary School, on Peat Road
* Aileymill Primary School, on Norfolk Road
* St Andrew's Primary School, on Chester Road
* All Saints Primary School, on Blairmore Road
* King's Oak Primary School, on East Crawford Street

Greenock has the following high schools as of 2023:
* [[Notre Dame High School, Greenock|Notre Dame High School]], on Dunlop Street
* [[Inverclyde Academy]], on Cumberland Road
* [[Clydeview Academy]], on Burnside Road

Greenock has another educational establishment:
* Lomond View Academy 
Greenock used to have a private school, the Cedars School of Excellence. However, it closed down in September 2024 after 25 years of running, due to rising costs.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-13 |title=Scottish private school to close as VAT plans push up costs |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24515491.scottish-private-school-close-vat-plans-push-costs/# |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=The Herald |language=en}}</ref>

== Health ==
{{main|NHS Scotland|NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde|Greenock Royal Infirmary|Inverclyde Royal Hospital}}

The [[Greenock Royal Infirmary|Greenock Infirmary]], later the Royal Infirmary, was established in 1809, when a building was erected at an expense of £1815, on a site of land given by Sir John Shaw Stewart.<ref name="auto"/> Today, the town is served by the [[Inverclyde Royal Hospital]] which is located in Greenock serving the population of [[Inverclyde]], [[Largs]], the [[Isle of Bute]] and the [[Cowal]] Peninsula.<ref>{{cite web
  | url        = http://www.nhsggc.org.uk/content/default.asp?page=s762&loc_id=2528
  | publisher        = NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
  | title        = Inverclyde Royal Hospital
  | access-date        = 2010-05-07
  | archive-date        = 27 November 2010
  | archive-url        = https://web.archive.org/web/20101127111027/http://nhsggc.org.uk/content/default.asp?page=s762&loc_id=2528
  | url-status        = dead
  }}</ref> The hospital was commissioned to replace the [[Greenock Royal Infirmary]], the Eye Infirmary, Gateside Hospital, Duncan Macpherson Hospital and Broadstone Jubilee Hospital.<ref name=hh>{{cite web|url=https://historic-hospitals.com/gazetteer/inverclyde/|title=Inverclyde Royal Hospital, Greenock|date=26 April 2015 |publisher=Historic Hospitals|accessdate=21 December 2018}}</ref> Construction work started at the end of August 1970<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ypJAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IKUMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2329%2C33029 |title=Official start made to £7m. hospital |work=The Herald |date=1 September 1970 |page=3 |accessdate=6 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307084213/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ypJAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IKUMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2329%2C33029 |archive-date=7 March 2017 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and the hospital was completed in 1979.<ref name=hh/>

In 2004 Inverclyde Royal Hospital faced proposals for a major downsizing with the loss of the accident and emergency department and the acute surgical ward in an effort to save costs. Many people criticised the plans complaining that the Inverclyde Royal Hospital was being seen as nothing more than a large health centre.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.wemyssbay.net/news/items/inverclyde.html| title=Inverclyde Royal Hospital| publisher=Wemyss Bay| accessdate=2009-08-30| url-status=dead| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619095652/http://www.wemyssbay.net/news/items/inverclyde.html| archivedate=19 June 2009| df=dmy-all}}</ref> In February 2007, after undertaking a review, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde proposed retaining the accident and emergency department and core inpatient services, including the trauma and emergency medical departments at Inverclyde Royal Hospital and submitted this proposal to the Scottish Government for approval.<ref name=autogenerated3>{{cite web| url=https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/get-in-touch-get-involved/inform-engage-and-consult/previous-consultations/south-clyde-acute-hospitals/| title=South Clyde Acute Hospital Consultation| publisher=NHSGGC| accessdate=31 December 2018}}</ref>

Langhill Clinic situated behind Inverclyde Royal Hospital is now the main psychiatric hospital with an IPCU unit and [[Day hospital]] alongside the main psychiatric ward.

== Economy ==
{{main|Economy of Scotland}}
===Economic history===
{{see|Economic history of Scotland}}

[[File:Greenock waterfront.jpg|thumb|right|Greenock waterfront from Victoria Harbour to Ocean Terminal, the skyline dominated by Victoria Tower.]]
[[File:Finnarrow at Inchgreen Drydock 02.jpg|thumb|right|The Inchgreen [[Dry dock|Drydock]] lacked major repair work for almost a decade, then in March 2013 it was used for urgent repairs to the ro-ro [[Stena Line]] ferry ''Finnarrow''. The cranes were later demolished in July 2017.]]

Historically, the town relied on [[shipbuilding]], sugar refining and [[wool]] manufacturing for employment, but none of these industries are today part of Greenock's economy. More recently the town relied heavily on [[electronics]] manufacture. However, this has given way mostly to: [[call centre]] business, insurance, banking and shipping export.

The Fleming and Reid merino wool mill employed 500 people – mostly women and produced wool garments spun and woven at the mill. This mill was at the corner of Drumfrochar Road and Mill Road.

As of October 2012 Greenock has an unemployment rate of 5.3%, above the Scottish average of 3.9% (figure is for the [[Scottish Parliament]] [[Greenock and Inverclyde (Scottish Parliament constituency)|constituency]] and includes [[Gourock]], [[Inverkip]], [[Port Glasgow]] and [[Wemyss Bay]]).<ref>{{cite web
  | url        = https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/wpca/1929380450/report.aspx#tabwab
  | title      = nomis – official labour market statistics
  | publisher  = Nomisweb.co.uk
  | date       = 30 September 2010
  | access-date = 2013-01-26
}}</ref>

=== Shipbuilding ===
[[File:Women on the Home Front 1939 - 1945 A8989.jpg|thumb|A welder working on a mine-sweeping trawler at Greenock, June 1942]]
In the early 17th century, the first [[pier]] was built in Greenock. Shipbuilding was already an important employer by this time. The first proper [[harbour]] was constructed in 1710 and the first well-known shipbuilders, [[Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company]], was established the following year. It gained numerous contracts with the [[Royal Navy]] from 1806, building ships such as {{HMS|Glasgow|C21|2}}.

In 1967 Scott's was merged with [[Lithgows]] (founded 1874, later the largest privately owned yard in the world) the same year becoming [[Scott Lithgow]], which was later nationalised as part of [[British Shipbuilders]] in 1977. From 1800 to 1980 many thousands of people worked to design, build and repair ships. The reduction in shipbuilding in the 1970s and 1980s meant that none of these companies are still trading.

Greenock Shipbuilders included: Scotts, [[George Brown & Co|Browns]], William Lithgows, Fergusons, [[Robert Steele & Company|Steeles]] and Head the Boat Builder (lifeboats). Other marine engineering related companies included engine-makers – Kincaids, Scotts, Rankin and Blackmore (which included the Eagle Foundry) – ship repair (Lamonts) and Hasties for steering gear. Yacht builders included Adams and McLean (at Cardwell Bay). Other yards included Cartsburn, Cartsdyke, and Klondyke – all of which closed during the 1970s and 1980s due to competition from [[South Korea]] and Japan.

Part of the site of the ''Scott's'' yard, is now an [[EE (telecommunications)|EE]] call centre, and the Kingston Yard was redeveloped for housing. Shipbuilding is now continued at [[Ferguson Marine Engineering]] in nearby [[Port Glasgow]], after Ferguson Shipbuilders was taken over by [[Jim McColl]] and began modernisation.
Ship repair work continues at the Garvel Drydock in Greenock's Great Harbour.

The Inchgreen Drydock was opened in 1964 as one of the largest in the world at 305&nbsp;m long and 48&nbsp;m wide. It was used to re-fit the {{RMS|Queen Elizabeth}}, and to fit-out the ''[[QE2]]''.<ref name="Greenock Telegraph 2017">{{cite web
  | title      = End of an era as cranes set to be flattened at Inchgreen
  | website    = Greenock Telegraph
  | url        = http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/news/greenock/15257303.End_of_an_era_as_cranes_set_to_be_flattened_at_Inchgreen/
  | date       = 1 May 2017
  | access-date = 11 May 2017
}}</ref> In 1966 it came under the nationalised Clydeport, which was privatised in 1982 and in 2003 was sold to Peel Ports of [[The Peel Group]].<ref name="Peel Ports history">{{cite web
  | title      = History
  | website    = Peel Ports
  | url        = https://www.peelports.com/about/history
  | access-date = 11 May 2017
}}</ref> They subsequently operated the drydock as part of their [[Cammell Laird]] shipbuilding subsidiary.<ref name="Cammell Laird 2015">{{cite web
 |title        = Inchgreen Drydock
 |website      = Cammell Laird
 |date         = 10 October 2015
 |url          = https://www.clbh.co.uk/facilities/inchgreen-drydock
 |access-date  = 11 May 2017
 |archive-date = 11 May 2017
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20170511162329/https://www.clbh.co.uk/facilities/inchgreen-drydock
 |url-status   = dead
}}</ref> Peel Ports put the drydock on the market for a lease in 2014, and Jim McColl opened discussions on leasing the dock to expand Fergusons' shipbuilding,<ref name="HeraldScotland Inch green">{{cite web
  | title      = Revealed: billionaire scouts giant Greenock dry dock as potential shipyard
  | website    = HeraldScotland
  | date       = 18 September 2014
  | url        = http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13489368.Revealed__billionaire_scouts_giant_Greenock_dry_dock_as_potential_shipyard/
  | access-date = 11 May 2017
}}</ref> but nothing came of the negotiations. On 1 May 2017, Clydeport stated that the drydock cranes are to be demolished.<ref name="Greenock Telegraph 2017" /> In November 2021 it was announced that the dock had been leased to Atlas Decommissioning as a site for breaking up marine vessels.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dry dock brought back to use after two decades |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-59303649 |website=BBC News |access-date=17 November 2021 |date=16 November 2021}}</ref>

=== Shipping ===
[[File:Jewel of the Seas G137.jpg| thumb|right|[[Jewel of the Seas|MV ''Jewel of the Seas'']] at Greenock (2006)]] 
[[File:Cruise ship Queen Victoria at Greenock - geograph.org.uk - 5776898.jpg|thumb|right|[[MS Queen Victoria|MS ''Queen Victoria'']] moored at Greenock (2018)]] 

Freight traffic is handled at the [[Portainer|container cranes]] of Greenock's ''Ocean Terminal'', at ''Prince's Pier'' which was constructed for the [[Glasgow and South Western Railway]]. The same terminal is a regular port of call for [[cruise liner]]s visiting the west of Scotland.

Greenock was a regular port of call for Cunard Line and Canadian Pacific in the 1950s and 1960s. Ships on the Montreal to Liverpool transit would anchor at the Tail of the Bank off Greenock in the Firth of Clyde and steam paddlewheel ferries would service the liners. Cunard operated: the RMS Ivernia (1954), RMS Saxonia (1955), RMS Carinthia (1956) and RMS Sylvania (1957). These four ships were built at John Brown & Company shipyards, typically 22,000&nbsp;tons, twin screw, 600&nbsp;passengers. CP operated the Empress of Britain (1956), Empress of Canada and Empress of England.

Greenock's Great Harbour is one of the three main ports providing marine services support to the Royal Navy, in dual site operation with [[Faslane]] at [[HMNB Clyde]] on the [[Gare Loch]]. 240 staff of the former [[Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service]] were transferred to [[Serco Denholm]] under a 15-year £1bn PFI contract awarded in December 2007.<ref>{{cite web
  | url         = http://www.serco.com/media/market/defencenews/marineservicescontract.asp
  | title       = Signing of Marine Services Contract
  | publisher   = Serco Group plc
  | date        = 14 December 2007
  | access-date  = 2010-05-07
  | url-status     = dead
  | archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110719040924/http://www.serco.com/media/market/defencenews/marineservicescontract.asp
  | archive-date = 19 July 2011
  | df          = dmy-all
}}</ref> This facility means that "Admiralty" boats and tugs are a common sight on the Clyde.

Greenock's attractive esplanade provides a gently curving riverside walk just over a mile (1.6&nbsp;km) long extending to the west from ''Ocean Terminal'' to the ''Royal West of Scotland Amateur Boat Club'' sailing, kayaking and rowing facilities, which originated as a rowing club built against the east wall of [[Fort Matilda]] in 1866, and was granted its present title in 1885. The present clubhouse dates from 1878, and was subsequently extended.<ref>[https://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/assets/attach/4612/West%20of%20Scotland%20Boat%20Club%20Jubilee%201926%20Web%20CS63-1-1.pdf Royal West of Scotland Amateur Boat Club Jubilee 1926 CS63-1-1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221035612/https://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/assets/attach/4612/West%20of%20Scotland%20Boat%20Club%20Jubilee%201926%20Web%20CS63-1-1.pdf |date=21 February 2018 }}, from {{cite web | title=Local History Downloads | website=Inverclyde Council | date=2016 | url=https://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/community-life-and-leisure/heritage/local-history-downloads | access-date=20 February 2018 | archive-date=21 February 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221035512/https://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/community-life-and-leisure/heritage/local-history-downloads | url-status=dead }}</ref>

Fort Matilda was adapted for various purposes, eventually becoming the ''Navy Buildings'' which housed a main [[Her Majesty's Coastguard]] centre until it closed in December 2012, as well as a [[Royal Naval Reserve]] establishment, {{HMS|Dalriada}}. The buildings have now been demolished, as a site for blocks of flats off Eldon Street.

=== Sugar ===
[[File:Sugar Warehouse.jpg|thumb|The Sugar Shed dominates the James Watt Dock]]
Sugar refining began in Greenock in 1765.<ref name=brit11>{{cite EB1911
  | wstitle = Greenock
  | volume  = 12
  | pages   = 548–549
}}</ref> John Walker began a sugar refinery in Greenock in 1850 followed by the prominent local [[cooper (profession)|cooper]] and shipowner [[Abram Lyle]] who, with four partners, purchased the [[Glebe Sugar Refinery]] in 1865. Another 12 refineries were active at one point. The most successful of these was [[Tate & Lyle]]. It was formed from a merger in 1921 between Abram Lyle, who had expanded into [[Plaistow, Newham|Plaistow]], and [[Henry Tate]], who had set up a sugar refinery in [[Liverpool]] and had expanded into [[London]].

The James Watt Dock, opened in 1886, provided shipping and shipbuilding facilities including a large warehouse (known as the Sugar Shed) which was used for both imported raw sugar, and refined sugar ready for delivery.<ref name="JWD hist">{{cite web | author=JWDAdministrator | title=JWD History | website=James Watt Dock Marina, Greenock, Scotland | url=http://www.jameswattdockmarina.co.uk/jwd-history.html | access-date=11 February 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212083252/http://www.jameswattdockmarina.co.uk/jwd-history.html | archive-date=12 February 2018 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="Canmore JWD">{{cite web | title=Greenock, James Watt Dock | website=Canmore | url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/68371/greenock-james-watt-dock | access-date=11 February 2018}}</ref> By the end of the 19th century, around 400 ships a year were transporting sugar from Caribbean holdings to Greenock for processing. There were 14 sugar refineries, including The Westburn, Walkers, The Glebe, Lochore and Ferguson and Dempster, plus a sugar beet factory on Ingleston Street. Tobacco from the Americas also arrived here.

When Tate and Lyle finally closed its Greenock refinery in 1997 it brought to an end the town's 150-year-old connections with sugar manufacture. A newly built sugar warehouse continued shipping operations at Greenock's ''Ocean Terminal''. The former sugar warehouse at the James Watt Dock was by then scheduled as a category A [[listed building]] as a fine example of early industrial architecture, with an unusual feature of a [[colonnade]] of cast iron columns forming a sheltered unloading area next to the [[quay]]side. This building has since lain empty, with various schemes being proposed for conversion and restoration. The photographs show the building still intact in February 2006, but a fire on the evening of 12 June 2006 caused severe damage to much of the building before being brought under control in the early hours of 13 June. The local council confirmed that parts of the building will have to be taken down to ensure public safety, but promised an investigation and emphasised the importance of this world heritage building.<ref>{{cite web
  | url         = http://www.inverclydenow.com/ShowGallery.asp?ID=249
  | title       = Picture Gallery
  | url-status     = dead
  | archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20061026085138/http://www.inverclydenow.com/ShowGallery.asp?ID=249
  | archive-date = 26 October 2006
  | df          = dmy-all
}}</ref>

In 2007, approval was given to proposals for a major regeneration project.<ref>{{cite web
  | url         = http://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/news/2010/jan/163-180-million-regeneration-project-approved/
  | title       = £180 million Regeneration Project Approved
  | publisher   = Inverclyde Council
  | date        = 7 January 2010
  | access-date  = 20 February 2010
  | url-status     = dead
  | archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20130919190850/http://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/news/2010/jan/163-180-million-regeneration-project-approved/
  | archive-date = 19 September 2013
  | df          = dmy-all
}}</ref> As of 2018, the building and adjacent area of the dock accommodated a [[marina]].<ref name="JWD hist" />

=== Electronics ===
[[File:IBM Greenock - geograph.org.uk - 6265903.jpg|thumb|right|The [[IBM]] facility in Greenock (2019)]] 
Since [[IBM]] arrived in the town in 1951, electronics and light manufacturing have, until recently, been the mainstay of local employment. [[Texas Instruments]] (and before that  [[National Semiconductor]]) ran a [[silicon]] wafer manufacturing plant in the town from 1970 until 2019, when the plant was transferred to [[Diodes Incorporated]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Manners|first=David|date=2019-02-04|title=Diodes buys Greenock fab|url=https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/diodes-buys-greenock-fab-2019-02/|access-date=2020-11-20|website=Electronics Weekly|language=en}}</ref>

However, with manufacturing moving to Eastern Europe and Asia, work has shifted to the [[service sector]], especially call centres. EE and IBM both had major call centre operations in Greenock. EE's call centre closed in 2024, and IBM left Greenock in 2023. The [[Royal Bank of Scotland]] continue to operate a Mortgage Centre that processes Mortgage applications from throughout the UK & Ireland.

IBM closed their entire factory in Greenock which is in the process of being demolished. [[Sanmina]], another electronics company, took over much of the IBM installation but moved 370 jobs to [[Hungary]] in 2006.<ref>{{citation
  | title       = Workers' disgust at Hungary move
  | journal     = Greenock Telegraph
  | date        = 15 February 2006
  | url         = http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/news/roundup/articles/2006/02/16/6819-workers034-disgust-at-hungary-move/
  | access-date  = 2010-05-07
  | url-status     = dead
  | archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20120227192955/http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/news/roundup/articles/2006/02/16/6819-workers034-disgust-at-hungary-move/
  | archive-date = 27 February 2012
  | df          = dmy-all
}}</ref> The Sanmina plant, which consisted of the former IBM AMDC (Automated Materials Distribution Centre) and Modules buildings 1 to 5, has since ceased operation and was demolished in 2009. The [[Spango Valley]] site was rebranded as "Valley Park" in late 2009. Lenovo has also re-located away from Greenock, and the plant is now at 10% of the 1999/2000 capacity. As of 2020 the site of IBM in Spango Valley had been completely demolished.<ref>{{cite web |title=End of era as IBM leaves Inverclyde after over 70 years |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/23428662.ibm-closes-last-greenock-offices-170-jobs-lost/ |website=www.thenational.scot |publisher=The National |access-date=24 February 2024 |language=en |date=1 April 2023}}</ref>

=== Trade and commerce ===
[[File:Austin Gipsy fire appliance in the Oak Mall - geograph.org.uk - 5702096.jpg|thumb|right|Shopping outlets in the Oak Mall]] 
Greenock's main shopping thoroughfare was Hamilton Street, which connected West Blackhall Street in the west to Clyde Square in the east. In 1975, it disappeared along with several other central streets, as the area was [[pedestrianised]] as Hamilton Way. In 1992, it was covered and enclosed as an 85-unit centre by [[Ralph Covell|Covell and Matthews]] for then-clients Ossory Road Estates as ''The Oak Mall'' (in administration as of 21 November 2013).<ref>{{cite web
  | url   = http://www.insolventcompanies.co.uk/oak-mall-greenock-limited-04384548/
  | title = OAK MALL GREENOCK LIMITED [04384548]
  | work  = Insolvent, Winding Up, Bankrupt & Administration Information
| date = 21 November 2013
 }}</ref> Since then, it has faced a major decline, and has been supplanted as Inverclyde's main shopping area by the retail park in Port Glasgow. Among the current occupants of the Oak Mall include: [[Argos (retailer)|Argos]], [[Boots (company)|Boots]], [[New Look (company)|New Look]], [[Primark]], as well as other clothing stores, restaurants, cafes and discount stores. 

In 1936, a [[Marks and Spencer]] store was opened. The original building became part of the Oak Mall, which was simply built during the first phase of pedestrianisation, where it remained until the store closed down, and moved to a new unit in Port Glasgow.<ref>''Greenock from Old Photographs'', 1984</ref> In its place, is a collection of separate small markets, under the unit name of Bluebell Walk. Popular retail chain [[Woolworths (United Kingdom)|Woolworths]] used to operate in a unit in the Oak Mall until it fell into administration. It was replaced by a [[Wilko|Wilkinsons]] store, which soon saw the same fate as its predecessor. It is now a [[Poundland]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-09-12 |title=Future of Greenock's Wilko revealed after Poundland owners buy 71 shops from retailer |url=https://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/news/23785040.greenocks-wilko-re-open-poundland-sell-off/ |access-date=2024-12-30 |work=Greenock Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref>

The Oak Mall has had several issues for many years, such as flooding caused by leaks from the ageing and deterioration of the A78 flyover that is above the Oak Mall.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-05-29 |title=Large section of Greenock's Oak Mall closed over safety fears |url=https://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/news/18477847.large-section-greenocks-oak-mall-closed-safety-fears/ |access-date=2024-12-30 |work=Greenock Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> As of major redevelopment projects taking place in Greenock, the eastern side of the Oak Mall, as well as the A78 flyover, and [[Hector McNeil]] House will be demolished in the beginning of 2025 after many years of plans and discussions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-30 |title=Start date for £22m Greenock town centre redevelopment |url=https://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/news/2024/aug/start-date-for-22m-greenock-town-centre-redevelopment |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=Inverclyde Council}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-11-29 |title=Revised plans submitted for demolition of Greenock's Oak Mall |url=https://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/news/24761635.revised-plans-submitted-demolition-oak-mall/ |access-date=2024-12-30 |work=Greenock Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref>

On 24 November 1970, [[Tesco]] opened their first Scottish store in Greenock, on Westburn Street.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-04-18 |title=TV star opened the first Tesco in Greenock with huge crowds waiting |url=https://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/news/greenock/24258370.history-hughie-green-opening-tesco-greenock-1970/ |access-date=2024-12-30 |work=Greenock Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> It later operated under [[Bejam]], which was bought by [[Iceland (supermarket)|Iceland]], who currently operates in the same location. Tesco has also operated in 3 other stores in Greenock: The store on West Stewart Street was the replacement after the first store closed.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2009-05-21 |title=Tesco store was a trailblazer |url=https://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/news/13996387.tesco-store-was-a-trailblazer/ |access-date=2024-12-30 |work=Greenock Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> The other stores operated on Inverkip Street and Dalrymple Street. The latter is currently the only Tesco store, which also has a filling station on-site.

Other major supermarket chains, such as [[Aldi]], [[Lidl]] and [[Morrisons]] also have a presence in the town. A small retail estate containing stores and restaurants is opposite the ''Waterfront'' swimming pool and leisure centre. Elsewhere, small groups of shops in most of the areas of the town provide for everyday essentials.

== Transport ==
{{main|Transport in Scotland|Greenock Central railway station}}
[[File:Trains at Greenock Central station - geograph.org.uk - 4752613.jpg|thumb|right|[[Greenock Central railway station|Greenock Central]]]]

Greenock is Scotland's best served town in terms of railway stations. It boasts eight: [[Bogston railway station|Bogston]], [[Cartsdyke railway station|Cartsdyke]], [[Greenock Central railway station|Greenock Central]], [[Greenock West railway station|Greenock West]], [[Fort Matilda railway station|Fort Matilda]], [[Whinhill railway station|Whinhill]], [[Drumfrochar railway station|Drumfrochar]] and [[Branchton railway station|Branchton]]. A ninth station, located at the [[IBM railway station|former IBM complex]], is currently mothballed pending redevelopment of the site. Only Glasgow has a much greater number of stations and Edinburgh possesses only two more. Greenock has a railway tunnel at {{convert|1.2|mi|km}} in length. Located directly under Newton Street in the town, the tunnel allowed for the extension of the railway to [[Gourock]].

A new £20m ocean terminal was opened in August 2023, which will see more than 100 cruise ships yearly.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-08-25 |title=Greenock cruise ship terminal launches as officials hail £26m boost |url=https://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/news/23747853.greenocks-20m-cruise-ship-terminal-officially-opens/ |access-date=2025-01-03 |work=Greenock Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Everard |first=Pick |title=Greenock Ocean Terminal |url=https://www.pickeverard.co.uk/projects/greenock-ocean-terminal |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=Pick Everard |language=en}}</ref> The terminal has already seen many major ships, such as the new Cunard ship [[MS Queen Anne]] as part of its maiden voyage.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-06-01 |title=Enormous Cunard cruise ship Queen Anne makes Greenock debut |url=https://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/news/24359787.enormous-cunard-cruise-liner-queen-anne-makes-greenock-debut/ |access-date=2025-01-03 |work=Greenock Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> In March 2024, [[Anne, Princess Royal|Princess Anne]] visited Greenock on a royal engagement, as part of the 60th anniversary of the [[MV Hebridean Princess]], who was at the time docked nearby. The ocean terminal was part of the visit, where Princess Anne received a tour of the terminal, and learned more about the area, and its history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fulton |first=Matthew |date=2024-03-14 |title=Princess Royal visits new £20m cruise ship terminal |url=https://news.stv.tv/west-central/princess-royal-visits-new-cruise-ship-terminal-built-in-greenock-in-20m-project |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=STV News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Greenock is served by a number of local bus routes covering the majority of Greenock, Gourock and Port Glasgow. Long-distance services travel regularly to Glasgow, Largs and Dunoon. The majority of routes are run by [[McGill's Bus Services]]. The Largs to Glasgow corridor is served by two services, the 901, 906, which provide a bus along this route every 15 minutes for most of the day. The 531 service also offers travel from Greenock to Glasgow, serving the Slaemuir area of Port Glasgow before connecting with the X7 Service and continuing through Bridge of Weir, Houston and Linwood, then joining the motorway to Braehead before heading into Glasgow City Centre.

Greenock is located at the end of the [[A8 road (Great Britain)|A8 road]]/[[M8 motorway (Scotland)|M8 motorway]] which begins in [[Edinburgh]]. It is also the northern terminus of [[Euroroute]] [[European route E05|E05]] which heads south through England, France and Spain, ending at the Spanish port and container terminal of [[Algeciras]].

== Culture ==
[[File:Beacon Arts Centre & clock tower w.jpg|thumb|The Beacon Arts Centre, with first floor Gallery Suite and ground floor café & bar looking out over the Custom House Quay waterfront and the Clyde.]]

Greenock is home to the world's first [[Burns Supper|Burns Club]], The Mother Club, which was founded in 1801 by merchants born in [[Ayrshire]], some of whom had personally known Robert Burns. They held the world's first [[Burns Supper]] on what they believed was his birthday on 29 January 1802, but the following year; discovered from the Ayr parish records that the correct date was actually 25 January 1759.<ref>{{cite web
  | url         = http://www.worldburnsclub.com/newsletter/0107/greenock_burns_club.htm
  | title       = Congratulation Greenock Burns Club
  | publisher   = The Robert Burns World Federation Limited
  | access-date  = 2010-01-18
  | url-status     = dead
  | archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20100126011456/http://www.worldburnsclub.com/newsletter/0107/greenock_burns_club.htm
  | archive-date = 26 January 2010
  | df          = dmy-all
}}</ref>

The [[Victorian era|Victorian]] landscape artist [[John Atkinson Grimshaw]] depicted a somewhat idealised Greenock in several of his paintings.

The [[Mclean Museum|Watt Institution]] (McLean Museum) is the largest museum in the Inverclyde area. Among the museums collection are exhibitions on [[James Watt]], fine arts, exhibits about the history of shipbuilding on the Clyde, and a collection of [[Ancient Egyptian]] artefacts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=McLean Museum and Art Gallery |url=https://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/community-life-and-leisure/heritage-services/collections/museum-collections |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=Inverclyde Council}}</ref>

The [[Beacon Arts Centre]] opened in 2013 in a new building at Greenock's Custom House Quay. It provides a 500-seat theatre that hosts a regular programme of plays, concerts, musical events, comedians and other events and a Studio Theatre, as well as a multifunction Gallery Suite providing rehearsal and meeting rooms which combine for event or performance space, with views over the Clyde. On the ground floor a café & bar also haas wide views. The Beacon is owned by the Greenock Arts Guild, and replaced the former ''Arts Guild Theatre''.<ref name="The Beacon Arts Centre 2013">{{cite web | title=Homepage | website=The Beacon Arts Centre | date=25 April 2013 | url=http://beaconartscentre.co.uk/ | access-date=20 February 2018}}</ref>

Along the Custom House Quay is The Wyllieum, a museum commemorating [[George Wyllie]], a Scottish artist who in his later life resided in Inverclyde. The museum opened in April 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-24 |title=George Wyllie art gallery to open in Greenock |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0pny04v23o.amp |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=BBC News |language=en-gb}}</ref>

Greenock hosted the [[Royal National Mòd|National Mòd]] in 1904 and 1925.<ref name=SMO>[http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk/gaidhlig/mod/ List of Mod's places] for each year on [[Sabhal Mòr Ostaig]] website</ref>

=== In television ===

The 1974 [[BBC Scotland]] adaptation of the ''[[Para Handy]]'' novels, entitled ''[[The Vital Spark]]'', was filmed in Greenock. In 2012, Greenock became the setting for the [[BBC]] television drama ''[[Waterloo Road (TV series)|Waterloo Road]]'', after the series was relocated from [[Rochdale]], Greater Manchester. The series was shot at [[Greenock Academy]], a former secondary school in the west of the town.<ref>{{cite news
  | url   = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-15484570
  | title = Waterloo Road relocates to Greenock
  | work  = [[BBC News]]
  | date  = 27 October 2011
}}</ref> The British TV series ''[[Annika (2021 TV series)|Annika]]'' uses the Beacon Arts Centre as the homicide unit's base.

=== In film ===
Greenock has featured as the backdrop to several films: the television films ''[[Just a Boys' Game]]'' (1979), ''[[Down Where the Buffalo Go]]'' (1988) and ''[[Down Among the Big Boys]]'' (1993)<ref>{{IMDb title|qid=Q56241157|title="Screen One" Down Among the Big Boys (1993)}}</ref> and the cinema films ''[[Sweet Sixteen (2002 film)|Sweet Sixteen]]'' (2002), ''[[Dear Frankie]]'' (2004) and [[Badla (2019 film)|''Badla'']] (2019).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/news/16293284.bollywood-blockbuster-is-being-filmed-in-inverclyde/|title=Bollywood blockbuster is being filmed in Inverclyde|website=Greenock Telegraph|date=17 June 2018 |language=en|access-date=2019-10-28}}</ref> An early [[Danny Boyle]] film ''Leaving'' (1988) was shot here. In ''[[Rob Roy (1995 film)|Rob Roy]]'', which is set in the mid-eighteenth century, Greenock is referred to as "the port to new world".

=== In literature ===
Greenock is one of the settings for [[Alan Sharp]]'s 1965 novel ''A Green Tree in Gedde''. It is fictionalised as 'Gantock' by [[Robin Jenkins]] in his 1979 novel ''Fergus Lamont'' (The Gantocks are a rocky [[shoal]] in the [[Firth of Clyde]] nearby, just off [[Dunoon]]). [[Alasdair Gray]]'s 1984 novel ''[[1982, Janine]]'' is set in a Greenock hotel room. [[Matthew Fitt]]'s [[cyberpunk]] novel ''[[But'n'Ben A-Go-Go]]'' features a submerged Greenock after the effects of [[global warming]]. Greenock has featured in the poetry of W.S. Graham (evoking his childhood) and [[Douglas Dunn]].

Greenock features in [[Charles Nodier]]'s 1832 romantic fairy-tale novel [https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k98080252.texteImage ''La fée aux miettes''] as the original home and final destination of the eponymous "Crumb Fairy," who, at the beginning of the story is trapped in France.<ref>[https://www.blackcoatpress.com/fiction-trilby-the-crumb-fairy.html ''Trilby * The Crumb Fairy''] adapted by Ruth Berman. Black Coat Press, 2016</ref> In [https://books.google.com/books?id=NKZJAAAAIAAJ ''Promenade from Dieppe to the Mountains of Scotland''], his account of a 50-day journey to Scotland in 1821, Nodier described Greenock as “one of the ornaments of Renfrewshire”<ref>[https://irvinehistorynotes.yolasite.com/charles-nodier.php Charles Nodier], on [https://irvinehistorynotes.yolasite.com Irvine History Site] Retrieved 2021-02-07.</ref> ("la charmante ville de Greenok [sic], un des ornements de Renfrew"<ref>Nodier, C. (1821) [https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k617905/f286.item Promenade de Dieppe aux montagnes d'Écosse]. Paris, J.N. Barba, p. 283.</ref>).

The novel ''The Greenock Murders'' by Kieran James (2021) is set in Greenock, especially the Cartsdyke area of town around Grosvenor Road, and the pubs of Gourock including the Kempock bar and Monteith's (now closed).<ref>James, K. (2021), ''The Greenock Murders'', published by Mybestseller.co.uk</ref>

=== Media ===
The town has a daily evening newspaper, ''The [[Greenock Telegraph]]'', dating from 1857.

Local news and television programmes are provided by [[BBC Scotland]] and [[Scottish Television|STV Central]]. Television signals are received from the [[Black Hill transmitting station|Black Hill]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Blackhill |title=Full Freeview on the Black Hill (North Lanarkshire, Scotland) transmitter|date=1 May 2004 |accessdate =12 October 2023 }}</ref> TV transmitter or one of the local relay transmitters (Rosneath<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Rosneath |title=Full Freeview on the Rosneath (Argyll and Bute, Scotland) transmitter|date=1 May 2004 |accessdate =12 October 2023 }}</ref> and Ravenscraig <ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Ravenscraig |title=Freeview Light on the Ravenscraig (Inverclyde, Scotland) transmitter|date=1 May 2004 |accessdate =12 October 2023 }}</ref>). An internet-based TV station – Inverclyde TV – is run by Creative Industries students at Greenock's West College Scotland.

Inverclyde FM on line is a community [[Internet radio]] station run by volunteers.<ref>{{cite web
  | url          = http://inverclydemedia.com/radio/
  | archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20090831085843/http://www.inverclydemedia.com/radio/
  | url-status     = dead
  | archive-date = 31 August 2009
  | title        = Inverclydemedia.com
  | access-date   = 2009-11-10
  | df           = dmy-all
}}</ref>

The town is also served by nation-wide radio stations, [[BBC Radio Scotland]], [[Clyde 1]], [[Greatest Hits Radio Glasgow & The West]], [[Heart Scotland]], and [[Capital Scotland]].

=== Notable people ===
[[File:James Watt Memorial College statue.jpg|thumb|upright|James Watt's statue of 1908 by [[Henry Charles Fehr]] at the original James Watt College building, which marks the site of his birthplace.]]
The most famous Greenockian is the engineer [[James Watt]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://discoverinverclyde.com/day-trips/discover-historic-inverclyde/|title=Discover Historic Inverclyde|publisher=Inverclyde Council|access-date=2022-11-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grianpress.com/Groome/PageG4.html/|title=Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland|publisher=Grian Press|last=Groome|first=Francis|access-date=2022-11-10}}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> He is remembered in several placenames in the town, in the library instituted in his memory, and by the original Watt Memorial School (later College) building on the site of his birthplace in William Street, which incorporates a commemorative statue. The Finnart Campus of the [[West College Scotland|local college]] was until 2014 known as the James Watt College. [[Wetherspoons]] opened the James Watt pub after the building was converted from its previous use as the General Post Office.

The Lady Octavia park and sports centre are named after Lady Octavia Grosvenor, wife of the local MP [[Sir Michael Shaw-Stewart, 7th Baronet|Sir Michael Shaw-Stewart]], who died in 1921.

[[John Cummings (footballer)|John Cummings]], born in Greenock in 1944, was a Scottish footballer, who played for six teams over ten years in both the United Kingdom and United States.

[[John McGeoch]], one of the most influential [[rock (music)|rock]] guitarists of the last decades,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/the-genius-of-john-mcgeoch-john-frusciante-johnny-marr-tributes|title=The genius of John McGeoch|publisher=Guitarworld|first=Matt |last=Parker |date=April 27, 2022|access-date=2022-07-12}}</ref> was born in Greenock in 1955; he spent his childhood with his family in the city before moving in his teens.<ref>{{cite book|last=Sullivan-Burke|first=Rory|title=The Light Pours Out of Me: The Authorised Biography of John McGeoch|publisher=[[Omnibus Press]]|date=April 2022|isbn= 978-1913172664}}</ref> ''[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]'' magazine listed McGeoch as one of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/mojo.html#guitar | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20051207104904/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/mojo.html#guitar | url-status = usurped | archive-date = 7 December 2005 | title = Mojo – 100 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time June 1996 Issue | date = 1996 | website = [[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]] | access-date = 29 February 2016 | quote = 89. John McGeogh – "[[Spellbound (Siouxsie and the Banshees song)|Spellbound]]" by [[Siouxsie & the Banshees]] on ''[[Juju (Siouxsie and the Banshees album)|Juju]]'') – 1981 – Yamaha SG1000 }}</ref>

Other Greenockians include the composers [[Hamish MacCunn]] and [[William Wallace (Scottish composer)|William Wallace]], violinist [[Henri Temianka]], mathematician William Spence,<ref>{{cite journal
  | last1   = Craik
  | first1  = A. D. D.
  | title   = Polylogarithms, functional equations and more: The elusive essays of William Spence (1777–1815)
  | journal = Historia Mathematica
  | date    = October 2013
  | volume  = 40
  | issue   = 4
  | pages   = 353–482
  | doi     = 10.1016/j.hm.2013.06.002
| doi-access= free
  }}</ref> poets [[Denis Devlin]], [[W. S. Graham]] and [[Jean Adam]], merchant [[Matthew Algie]], actors [[Richard Wilson (Scottish actor)|Richard Wilson]], [[David Ashton (actor)|David Ashton]], [[Martin Compston]] and [[Stella Gonet]], artists [[William Scott (artist)|William Scott]] and [[Alison Watt (Scottish painter)|Alison Watt]], playwrights [[Bill Bryden]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Scottish theatre director Bill Bryden dies aged 79 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-59901630 |website=BBC News |access-date=6 January 2022 |date=6 January 2022}}</ref> [[Neil Paterson (writer)|Neil Paterson]] and [[Peter McDougall]], comedian [[Chic Murray|Charles 'Chic' Murray]], opera singer [[Hugh Enes Blackmore]], broadcaster [[Jimmy Mack (broadcaster)|Jimmy Mack]], [[American football]] player [[Lawrence Tynes]], children's theatre performer Ruairidh Forde, PGA Pro golfer Colin Robinson, Antarctic explorer [[Henry Robertson Bowers|Henry Robertson 'Birdie' Bowers]] and portrait painter [[Leonard Boden]].

Two Greenockians, Alexander Bruce and Theophilus S. Marshall, were involved in the drafting of the laws for Australian Rules Football.

*[[Charles McQueen]] (1836–1906), engineer and gold-dredger.
*[[John Davidson (poet)|John Davidson]] (1857-1909), dramatist and poet, lived and worked at Greenock from 1862 to 1889.
*[[Donald McIntyre (physician)|Dr Donald McIntyre]] (1891–1954) was born and raised in Greenock.
*The novelist and children's writer [[Mary Alice Faid]] was born in Greenock in 1897.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sims |first1=Sue |last2=Clare |first2=Hilary |editor1-last=Thomas |editor1-first=Tig |title=The Encyclopaedia of Girls' School Stories |date=2020 |publisher=Girls Gone By Publishers |isbn=978-1-84745-257-3 |page=193 |edition=2nd}}</ref>
*Robert Wilson, the grandfather of [[Uncle Sam]] ([[Samuel Wilson]]) was born in Greenock.
* [[Stephen Purdon]] (born 1983), an actor who appeared on ''[[River City]]'', was born in Greenock.<ref>{{cite news |title='Me and Shellsuit Bob have grown up on River City': Stephen Purdon on 20 years of the Glasgow drama |url=https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/22565548.me-shellsuit-bob-grown-river-city-stephen-purdon-20-years-glasgow-drama/ |access-date=1 April 2025 |work=[[Glasgow Times]]}}</ref> 
*[[Rosé (drag queen)|Rosé]], a contestant on [[RuPaul's Drag Race (season 13)|''RuPaul's Drag Race'']], was born in Greenock.
*[[List of Dancing on Ice professional skaters#Angela Egan|Angela Egan]], The 2021 winner of ''[[Dancing on Ice]]'' was born in Greenock, and after learning to skate in Paisley, became one of the first coaches at Greenock's Waterfront Ice Rink when it opened.<ref name="Angela Egan 2021">{{cite web | last=Fulton | first=Rick | title=Scots Dancing on Ice skater Angela Egan was working at Amazon until she got job | website=Daily Record | date=21 January 2021 | url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/new-scots-dancing-ice-skater-23361598 | access-date=14 March 2021}}</ref>
*[[M.R.D. Meek]], mystery novelist, was from Greenock<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-05-30 |title=M. R. D. Meek: crime fiction writer |newspaper=[[The Times]] |language=en |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/uk-travel/scotland-travel/m-r-d-meek-crime-fiction-writer-n2ddd5rjl5v |url-access=subscription |access-date=2023-05-30 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref>
*[[Ken MacLeod]], science fiction novelist, was educated at Greenock High School.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ken MacLeod transcript |url=https://www.nls.uk/learning-zone/literature-and-language/science-fiction-in-scotland/ken-macleod-transcript/ |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=National Library of Scotland |language=en}}</ref>

=== People with other connections ===
[[File:140224 Old Greenock Cemetery - 16.jpg|thumb|right|Cemetery entrance from Inverkip Street, with plaque commemorating [[John Galt (novelist)|John Galt]].]]

Pirate [[William Kidd]] claimed on [[death row]] that he was born in Greenock, but subsequent evidence has shown that he was born either in [[Belfast]] or [[Dundee]].<ref>{{cite web
  | title      = KIDD-L Archives – Subject: [KIDD-L] Captain William Kidd: recent biography
  | publisher      = RootsWeb
  | url      = http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/KIDD/2003-03/1048442258
  | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120707052458/http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/KIDD/2003-03/1048442258
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 7 July 2012
  | access-date      = 2007-12-13
  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web
  | title       = William Kidd 1645–1701
  | url         = http://www.greenock-town.co.uk/william_kidd.html
  | access-date  = 2007-12-13
  | archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928132408/http://www.greenock-town.co.uk/william_kidd.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->
  | archive-date = 28 September 2007
}}</ref>

[[Robert Burns]]' lover [[Mary Campbell (Highland Mary)]] and her father sailed from [[Campbeltown]] to visit her brother in Greenock early in October 1786. Her brother fell ill with [[typhus]], which she caught while nursing him. She died of typhus on 20 or 21 October 1786, and was buried in the [[Old West Kirk]] graveyard. In 1842 increasing interest in their romance led to a monument being erected by public subscription to mark the grave. In 1920 when the church site was needed to expand [[Harland and Wolff]]'s shipyard, the monument was moved to its present site in Greenock Cemetery, with her remains being transferred to a casket and re-interred with due ceremony. The church itself was moved and rebuilt in its current location at the west end of the Esplanade in 1926.<ref name=HighlandMary>{{cite web
  | url         = http://www.greenock-town.co.uk/highland_mary.html
  | title       = Highland Mary (Mary Campbell)
  | work        = Famous Sons and Daughters of Greenock
  | publisher   = Nostalgic Greenock
  | access-date  = 2010-01-17
  | url-status     = dead
  | archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20080821043936/http://www.greenock-town.co.uk/highland_mary.html
  | archive-date = 21 August 2008
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
  | url        = http://burns.scran.ac.uk/database/record.php?usi=000-000-136-199-C
  | title      = National Burns Collection – Design for a Monument proposed to be erected in memory of Highland Mary
  | access-date = 2010-01-18
}}</ref>

The novelist [[John Galt (novelist)|John Galt]], who founded [[Guelph]], [[Ontario]] in 1827, lived in the town and based some of his work, most notably ''[[Annals of the Parish]]'' (1821), on Greenock and surrounding towns. He is buried in the Inverkip Street Cemetery. The mother of American comedian and writer [[Jay Leno]], Catherine Muir, was born in Greenock and emigrated to the US as a child. The American actress [[Julianne Moore]] is the daughter of the late Anne Love, a former psychiatric [[social worker]] who emigrated from Greenock. [[William Hewitt (moderator)|The Rev William C. Hewitt]] (minister at Westburn Parish Church in Greenock), [[Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland]] in 2009–2010, is the first serving minister at a church in Greenock to be appointed. Reverend [[Elizabeth Kinniburgh]], born in Greencock in 1929, was one of the first women to become ordained as a minister for the [[Church of Scotland]] in 1970.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Obituary - Betty Kinniburgh, minister at the forefront of sweeping changes in the Church of Scotland |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/14845583.obituary---betty-kinniburgh-minister-forefront-sweeping-changes-church-scotland/ |access-date=2022-03-13 |website=HeraldScotland |date=5 November 2016 |language=en}}</ref>

[[Abdelbaset al-Megrahi]], the Libyan intelligence officer convicted of the [[Lockerbie Bombing]], was incarcerated at [[Greenock Prison]] from 2005 until his release on 20 August 2009.

== Sports ==
[[File:Cappielow.JPG|thumb|right|[[Cappielow Park]], home of Morton F.C.]]
[[Greenock Morton]] are the local senior [[association football|football]] team who currently play in the [[Scottish Championship]].<ref>{{cite web
  | url         = http://www.gmfc.net
  | title       = GMFC.net
  | publisher   = Greenock Morton FC
  | url-status     = dead
  | archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20030608091023/http://www.gmfc.net/
  | archive-date = 8 June 2003
  | df          = dmy-all
}}</ref> Founded in 1874 as Morton F.C., they play their home matches at [[Cappielow]]. At lower levels of the game, [[Greenock Juniors F.C.]] play in the West of Scotland Football League.

Greenock hosts a [[rugby union]] team, [[Greenock Wanderers RFC]],<ref>{{cite web
 |url          = http://www.greenockwanderers.co.uk
 |title        = Greenockwanderers.co.uk
 |publisher    = Greenock Wanderers RFC
 |access-date  = 1 September 2009
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20090828121722/http://www.greenockwanderers.co.uk/
 |archive-date = 28 August 2009
 |url-status     = dead
 |df           = dmy-all
}}</ref> founded in 1873. It is one of the oldest clubs in Scotland.

Greenock also has 2 successful athletics clubs, [http://www.inverclydeac.co.uk/ Inverclyde AC] and [http://greenockglenparkharriers.com/ Glenpark Harriers]

It is also the hometown of the [[Greenock Cricket Club]]<ref>{{cite web
  | url       = http://www.greenockcricketclub.com
  | title     = Greenockcricketclub.com
  | publisher = Greenock Cricket Club
}}</ref> and Greenock Golf Club.<ref>{{cite web
  | url       = http://www.greenockgolfclub.co.uk
  | title     = Greenockgolfclub.co.uk
  | publisher = Greenock Golf Club
}}</ref>

In 1972, the town was also the host of the first official international [[Women's association football|women's football]] match played in Britain. The game, between Scotland and England, resulted in a 3-2 win for England.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=https://www.thefa.com/womens-girls-football/history
 |title=The History of Women's Football in England
 |website=thefa.com
 |publisher=The FA
 |access-date=1 February 2021
}}</ref>

Leisure facilities in Greenock are primarily provided by Inverclyde Leisure. There are several sports facilities in the town and surrounding area managed by Inverclyde Leisure:
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* Waterfront Leisure Complex
* Greenock Sports Centre
* Lady Octavia Sports Centre
* Boglestone Community Centre and Fitness Gym
* Ravenscraig Sports Centre
* Battery Park Pavilion
* Gourock Fitness Gym
* Gourock Outdoor Swimming Pool
* Birkmyre Park Fitness Gym (Kilmacolm)
{{div col end}}

In 2009, plans were proposed to build a new multi-purpose facility at Rankin Park.<ref>{{citation
  | title      = Council tax frozen...but £23m leisure boost
  | last       = Baxter
  | first      = Eric
  | url        = http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/news/greenock/articles/2009/02/13/34068-council-tax-frozenbut-23m-leisure-boost
  | journal    = Greenock Telegraph
  | date       = 13 February 2009
  | access-date = 2010-05-07
}}</ref> In 2021, more plans were proposed that would build indoor tennis courts, along with other facilities.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-06 |title=£1.8m indoor tennis centre plans served up |url=https://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/news/2021/aug/1-8m-indoor-tennis-centre-plans-served-up |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Inverclyde Council}}</ref> However, due to rising costs, it is uncertain whether it will go ahead, or be scrapped.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-11-01 |title=£1.8m project to build indoor tennis centre hangs in balance |url=https://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/news/23085488.new-1-8m-indoor-tennis-centre-hangs-balance/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |work=Greenock Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== References ==
* {{Citation
  | last        = Brown
  | first       = Archibald
  | year        = 1905
  | title       = The Early Annals of Greenock
  | publisher   = Greenock Telegraph printing works
  | url         = http://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/community-life-and-leisure/local-history-and-heritage/brown-early-annals-greenock-1905
  | url-status     = dead
  | archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20141119002236/http://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/community-life-and-leisure/local-history-and-heritage/brown-early-annals-greenock-1905
  | archive-date = 19 November 2014
  | df          = dmy-all
}} ([[Inverclyde]] Council website)
* {{citation
  | last      = Monteith
  | first     = Joy
  | title     = Old Port Glasgow
  | year      = 2003
  | publisher = Stenlake Publishing
  | location  = Catrine, Ayrshire
  | isbn      = 978-1-84033-250-6
}}
* {{citation
 |last         = Monteith
 |first        = Joy
 |title        = Old Greenock
 |year         = 2004
 |publisher    = Stenlake Publishing
 |location     = Catrine, Ayrshire
 |isbn         = 978-1-84033-314-5
 |url          = http://www.stenlake.co.uk/books/view_book.php?ref=375
 |access-date  = 22 October 2013
 |archive-date = 18 February 2015
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20150218230354/http://stenlake.co.uk/books/view_book.php?ref=375
 |url-status   = dead
}}
* {{Citation
  | last      = Smith
  | first      = R.M.
  | year      = 1921
  | title      = The History of Greenock
  | publisher      = Orr, Pollock & Co
  | place      = Greenock
  | url      = https://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/community-life-and-leisure/heritage-services/collections/watt-library/local-history/local-history-books-online/the-arran
  | access-date      = 23 August 2022
  | archive-date      = 23 August 2022
  | archive-url      = https://web.archive.org/web/20220823182653/https://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/community-life-and-leisure/heritage-services/collections/watt-library/local-history/local-history-books-online/the-arran
  | url-status      = dead
  }} ([[Inverclyde]] Council website @ Inverclyde Libraries, McLean Museum and Inverclyde Archives)
* [[William J. Watson|Watson, W. J.]] ''The History of the Celtic Place-Names of Scotland'' (Edinburgh, 1926)
* {{Citation
  | last       = Wood
  | first      = John
  | year       = 1828
  | title      = Descriptive account of the principal towns in Scotland: to accompany Wood's town atlas
  | place      = Edinburgh
  | pages      = [https://archive.org/stream/descriptiveacc1828scot#page/170/mode/2up 171–177]
}} ([http://maps.nls.uk/detail.cfm?id=352 Plan of the Town of Greenock from actual survey. – Maps of Scotland], 1825, [[National Library of Scotland]] website)

== Further reading ==
* Snoddy, TG (1937) ''Round About Greenock''
* Weir, D (1827, r. 2004) ''History of the Town of Greenock''

== External links ==
* {{commons category-inline|Greenock}}
* {{Wikivoyage inline}}
{{NSRW Poster}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Greenock| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Inverclyde]]
[[Category:Large burghs]]
[[Category:Ports and harbours of Scotland]]
[[Category:River Clyde]]
[[Category:Firth of Clyde]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Scotland]]
[[Category:Parishes in Renfrewshire]]