Cove | Clyde River and Firth

William M‘Kim was born in 1883 in the village of Renton in the Vale of Leven where his father was postmaster. He was apprenticed as a draughtsman. Early in his life he and his younger brother David, developed an interest in photography that led to the production of postcards, mainly of scenes around his native village. “The Renton” as it is known was a thriving centre for the bleaching and dyeing industry. Renton from the lower slopes of the Carman hill, looking to Dumbarton and showing the chimneys of Dalquhurn works around 1908. The railway station is on the extreme right. Renton from the west looking down King Street to Renton Cross around 1908. In the foreground are the houses of Back Street and beyond those of the Main Street. Across the River Leven are the policies of the Strathleven estate. Renton Main Street with the tramline to Loch Lomond. Renton from further north on the...

Feuing at the Roseneath village of Cove began around 1850 and shortly thereafter a Mr M‘Ilroy, one of the early feuars approached the Duke of Argyll for permission to erect a pier. Permission was duly granted with the provision that the pier could be purchased by the Duke at any time at a fair market value. The pier was duly constructed and opened in 1852, attracting steamers from the Lochgoil and Holy Loch service and serving as a focal point to encourage additional feuing in the vicinity. An early engraving from around 1870 Despite its close proximity to Kilcreggan, Cove pier continued to attract sufficient business through the collection of pier dues to sustain its annual lease. The main steamers calling on a regular service were the Holy Loch boats though there was also excursion traffic. “Kilcreggan—An Alarming Occurrence at Cove Pier. —Two men narrowly escaped with their lives at...