Inverkip

infobox UK place
country = Scotland
official_name= Inverkip
gaelic_name= Inbhir Chip
population= 1598 [ [http://www.scrol.gov.uk Census 2001] ]
population_density= Pop density mi2 to km2|4583|abbr=yes|precision=2|wiki=yes [ [http://www.scrol.gov.uk Census 2001] ]
os_grid_reference= NS205725
latitude=55.91201
longitude=-4.8735
unitary_scotland= Inverclyde
lieutenancy_scotland= Renfrewshire
constituency_westminster= Inverclyde
constituency_scottish_parliament= Greenock and Inverclyde
constituency_scottish_parliament1= West of Scotland
post_town= GREENOCK
postcode_district= PA16
postcode_area= PA
dial_code= 01475
edinburgh_distance= mi to km|65|precision=0
london_distance= mi to km|360|precision=0
static_

static_image_caption=Inverkip's Main Street
area_total_sq_mi= 0.35

Inverkip (Scottish Gaelic: "Inbhir Chip") is a village and parish in Inverclyde, Scotland. It lies about convert|4|mi|km|1 southwest of Greenock on the A78 trunk road. The village is served by Inverkip railway station, on the Inverclyde Line.

History

Inverkip was made a burgh of barony before the Act of Union in 1707, with the parish containing all of Gourock, Wemyss Bay, Skelmorlie and part of Greenock. Inverkip Parish Church dates from 1804 and is on the site of an earlier (twelfth century) kirk. The graveyard contains the tomb of the chemist Dr. James Young who was nicknamed 'Paraffin' because of his pioneering work in oil technology. He lived at nearby Kelly House, which burnt down in 1913, the report laying blame with the suffragettes.

The parish of Inverkip's chief claim to fame (or notoriety) was in relation to witches in the mid 17th century. A local verse recalls
"In Auld Kirk the witches ride thick
And in Dunrod they dwell;
But the greatest loon amang them a'
Is Auld Dunrod himsel'."

'Auld Dunrod' was the last of the Lindsay family of Dunrod Castle. As the result of a dissolute life he lost all his possessions and fell into the black arts. Local reputation had it that he was in league with the devil, and he died in mysterious circumstances in a barn belonging to one of his former tenant farmers. Nothing now remains of the castle which stood at the foot of Dunrod Hill. [Lives of the Lindsays, II., 291, &c.]

Places of interest

Today Inverkip is mainly of significance because of the large marina which has grown steadily since the 1970s and now boasts a small community of its own called "Kip Village". Nearby the flue of the mothballed oil-fired Inverkip power station – another creation of the 70s – looms large.

Lunderston Bay is a popular picnic spot nearby and the classical Ardgowan House, built for Sir John Shaw-Stewart in the 17th century stands outside the village. It occasionally has open days and charity fêtes. The late 15th century Ardgowan Castle is a ruin within the estate.

At the top of Langhouse Road a building reminiscent of the cold war can be found. The site which also used to house the HMS Dalriada includes an underground bunker and a surface building. [ [http://www.subbrit.org.uk/rsg/sites/i/inverkip/index.html Research Study Group: Sites: Inverkip AAOR] ]

In Inverkip there is also a small village school. It has around 220 pupils in it. [ [http://www.hmie.gov.uk/documents/inspection/Inverkip.html Inverkip Primary School Inverclyde Inspection 11/10/2005 ] ]

Inverkip is mainly a residential village and does not boost a huge number of businesses. A post office and convenience shop is located on the Main Street, however by the end of 2004 a new retail and business block was developed to the North side of the village comprising a cafe', fast food and supermarket. A famous hotel is also present in Inverkip [ [http://www.inverclyde.co.uk/ Inverkip Hotel Website] ] , as well as a few B&B.

ee also

*Greenock
*Wemyss Bay
*Inverclyde

Notes and references

External links

[http://www.inverkip.com/ Inverkip Community Website]