The best hikes from bus stations around Helensburgh

Brilliant panaromic views looking north up Gare Loch towards Garelochhead. Mountains seen in the background surrounding Gare Loch

"The Park has recently completed a major renovation project since 2014 when the Friends of Hermitage Park in partnership with Argyll and Bute Council were awarded £2.33 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Parks for People, and funding raised elsewhere has provided a total budget of £3.7 million. The project includes a pavilion which is now open with The Park Pavilion Café, toilets, and community room available for hire, a children’s playpark and community kitchen garden, disabled access throughout the park, a car park, and a year round programme of events." Source: https://destinationhelensburgh.org/hermitage-park, which contains more info about this lovely park.

"The war memorial and memorial garden are set within Hermitage Park, a municipal park covering some 4.7 hectares. The memorial itself is a raised monument approached by steps and topped with a dome. It bears the names of the fallen of both World Wars. The memorial is set within a walled garden featuring yew trees and flower beds." Source: https://www.parksandgardens.org/places/war-memorial-garden-helensburgh

Interesting information about the restoration of the pier can be found on https://piers.org.uk/piers/helensburgh-pier

"Helensburgh’s Outdoor Museum is an awarding winning museum situated in the centre of Helensburgh in Colquohoun Square. It is an accessible museum that explores, celebrates and displays the rich and varied history of Helensburgh and the surrounding area. It displays often untold stories revealed by local people that both residents and visitors can enjoy at their leisure. There are a number of plinths with artefacts and text on them with a QR code, and more information and pictures on this website on the page titled Plinths. There are over one hundred plinths to fill and over time these will continue to tell the story of our area." Source: https://www.theoutdoormuseum.co.uk/

"Colquhoun Square has been designed to create a town centre with attractive, usable and flexible public space which supports community events, festivals and markets. While previously the area was a crossroads dominated by vehicles, it is now a pedestrian focused environment. Accessible seating, widened pavements and new surfaces have been installed to help promote outdoor activity and encourage greater footfall between the town centre and the seafront. The square also incorporates an ‘outdoor museum’ exhibiting artwork and artefacts from local history." Source: https://www.ourplace.scot/case-study/colquhoun-square

The John Muir Way stretches for 134 miles or 215 km between Helensburgh on the west coast through Scotland's heartland to Dunbar in the east. You'll find ample information on (the photo of) an information board, attached to this highlight.

This monument was erected in 1872 to the memory of Henry Bell, who built the Paddle Steamer Comet in 1812, the first commercial steam boat in Europe. Further info can be found on https://destinationhelensburgh.org/henry-bell/