Cardross (Càrdainn Ros in Gaelic) is a large village with a population of 2,351(2001)[1] in Scotland, on the north side of the Firth of Clyde, situated halfway between Dumbarton and Helensburgh. Cardross is in the historic geographical county of Dunbartonshire but the modern political local authority of Argyll and Bute. Cardross is also the name of an historic Parish where King Robert the Bruce once lived. The Parish area stretched from the west side of Dumbarton to Camus Eskan(near Helensburgh) and even as far as Loch Long and also included the village of Renton in the Vale of Leven.[2]
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King Robert the Bruce purchased the portions of lands of Pillanflatt from the Earl of Lennox, lying in the parish of Cardross in 1326. He died at his manorial house that he built there in 1329, a field called the Mains of Cardross is thought to have been his Royal Manor's location.[3]
Kilmahew Castle lies just to the north of the village.
The main road through the village goes over Moore's Bridge, dating from 1688, it is a Listed Building.[4]
2km north-west of Cardross is a peninsula called Ardmore Point. This privately owned area of land has a nature trail maintained by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and is a Regionally Important Geographical Site(RIGS) due to unique rock formations including an exposed sea cliff.[5] It is also a popular fishing and bird-spotting area.[6][7] Grey seals can also be seen here.[8]
There are a number of shops, including a post office, newsagents, pharmacy, plumber's merchant and a café. Ardardan Estate[9] is a working farm with a farm shop, plant nursery and tea room and is situated just outside Cardross near Ardmore Point.
The town possesses a golf course, bowling, tennis and football clubs. Paul Lawrie won the Scottish Professional Golf Championship held at Cardross Golf Course in 1992.[10]
Cardross has its own primary and pre-school.
Cardross railway station has direct links to both Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh Waverley stations on the North Clyde Line. Cardross station is operated by ScotRail.
Geilston Garden, a National Trust for Scotland property, is located to the north west of the village.
The village has two places of worship: Cardross Parish Church (Church of Scotland) and St Mahew's Roman Catholic Church. The original Parish Church was bombed during the Second World War and its ruins are located next to the Manse.
The former St. Peter's Seminary, designed by Gillespie, Kidd & Coia, is situated to the north of the village. It is closed to the public. At the time of writing (2009) it is, and has been for many years, in a state of dilapidation, particularly internally. Its future is uncertain.[11]
A. J. Cronin, the celebrated doctor and writer, was born in Cardross in 1896.
The BBC Sports presenter Hazel Irvine lived in Cardross when she was younger and attended Hermitage Academy in Helensburgh.
The rising football star Michael Curley (notable for scoring from three corners in one match of football) resides in Cardross.[12]