I was taking a leisurely walk along the coast from Inverkip to Wemyss Bay and as I was approaching Wemyss Bay, I picked up my pace. I remembered once seeing a photo of the Wemyss Bay station. Suddenly a leisurely walk, turned into a march because now my walk had an additional purpose.
As I approached it I remembered why I had made a mental note to see it. Look at the photos! It is marvellous. What an architectural treasure. I noticed the exterior plaque and it described the following:
An attractive and effective 1903 facility, by the Caledonian Railway, for the rapid-shipment of holiday-makers and their luggage.
The description of “rapid shipment of holiday-makers” made me laugh. Our penmanship has changed a little since the early 1900s. I quickly searched for more information:
Wemyss Bay railway station serves the village of Wemyss Bay, Inverclyde, Scotland. The station is a terminus on the Inverclyde Line, about 26 miles (42 km) west of Glasgow Central. The station incorporates the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry terminal connecting mainland Scotland to Rothesay on the Isle of Bute. [Source Wikipedia]
With so many stations having been closed down, it was good to see this historical example still in operation and I think we can all agree that it is indeed an impressive structure. However, there is also the interior.
The interior is nothing less than magnificent! My eyes were immediately drawn to the ceiling with its lattice work of steel and glass.
Wemyss Bay Railway Station [Interior]
It was truly mesmerising. I walked around the station ticket office and then along the platform. I slowly noticed another corridor. It was the path to the ferry terminal. I could not deny the craftmanship of design and build.
As I searched for more information, I learned the following:
Construction of the railway began in late 1862. It was a single track to Greenock. This was to connect to Clyde steamer services for Rothesay, Largs, Millport, and Isle of Cumbrae. As mentioned above, the station was designed by James Miller in 1903 for the Caledonian Railway. In Britain’s 100 Best Railway Stations by Simon Jenkins, Wemyss Bay station was one of only ten to be awarded five stars, and was the station photographed on the front cover. The station won the 2023 World Cup of Stations, organised by the Rail Delivery Group.
It was no wonder that I had made a mental note.
The entire visit and experience had a way of transporting me to another time. It was certainly worth the march and visit.
© The Scottish Pearl 2023