Quarrier's Village
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Quarrier's Village is a small settlement in Inverclyde, Scotland. It lies within the Gryffe Valley, falling into the parish of Kilmacolm, although geographically slightly closer to Bridge of Weir. It is now a residential commuter village, with many residents working in and around Glasgow. The community itself sits very much on the border with the Renfrewshire council area.
The village was founded as the Orphan Homes of Scotland in 1876 by Glasgow shoe-maker and philanthropist William Quarrier on the site of the former Nittingshill Farm. Quarrier had a vision of a community allowing the young people in his care to thrive, set in a countryside environment and housed in a number of grand residences under a house-mother and father. This vision was realised by a number of donations from Quarrier and his friends.
As a devout Christian, Quarrier also wished to pass on these values to the children in his charge. As such, he commissioned the building of the grand Mount Zion Church - known informally as the Children's Cathedral; his values are also reflected in the naming of streets in the village, such as Faith Avenue, Hope Avenue, Love Avenue, Praise Avenue and Peace Avenue. To the great pity of local residents, the Church of Scotland has made clear that it can no longer afford to upkeep Mount Zion. Since 2006, services are no longer given in the church, but rather in one of the nearby homes - discussions are still ongoing as to its future.
Until 1999, it was also the site of the Bridge of Weir Hospital, opened as a tuberculosis sanitarium. The main section of the hospital has now been converted into residential flats. Hunter House, also commissioned by Quarrier and completed three years after his death, remains Scotland's only residential epilepsy assessment centre.
Quarrier's is a registered charity and still functions to help disadvantaged young people, carers and adults with disabilities in the United Kingdom and beyond. However, due to the changing nature of childcare, the number of children being cared for in the village fell dramatically in the 1970s and 80s, and most of the homes were sold off privately. Since 1993 in particular, there are barely any children actually housed by Quarrier's charity in the village, and an expanding development of private housing. The village now attracts tourists to admire its beautiful setting, and offers small coffee shops and a craft centre to cater to them.
