Toby Doherty

Inverclyde MP Martin McCluskey has urged First Minister John Swinney to make firm commitments during his planned visit to the area. His priorities include securing a timetable for four planned Ferguson Marine vessel contracts and protecting up to 70 jobs, direct investment in local projects, an emergency employment package, and funding and a delivery timetable for the replacement of Inverclyde Royal Hospital’s facade. The Scottish Government said Swinney would visit businesses and community organisations to discuss economic growth, public services, living costs and child poverty, while defending its public ownership of Ferguson Marine.

Inverclyde Council’s Environment and Regeneration Committee voted 8–3 to retain Greenock’s cycle lane and pursue alternative measures to ease parking pressure around West Blackhall Street. Agreed changes include repurposing loading bays after 10am, shortening maximum parking stays, adding four spaces, and revising short-stay car-park charges, with estimated costs of £56,000–£82,000. Further reports will examine changes to the one-way system, resident parking restrictions and a possible 28-space car park. A proposal to remove the lane, estimated to cost £1.665 million, was rejected, while bollards costing about £20,000 will be considered to prevent vehicles from parking on it.

David Paton began his role as head teacher of Ardgowan Primary School and described a warm welcome from parents, pupils and staff. Drawing on previous leadership experience at St Michael’s in Port Glasgow and as deputy head at St Joseph’s in Greenock, he praised pupils for their friendliness and curiosity and staff for preparing the school and learning resources during the summer. He expressed enthusiasm for supporting the school’s next chapter and wished staff and pupils well for the new academic year.

Children across Inverclyde began primary one, with families gathering at Ardgowan Primary School in Greenock to mark the occasion. Parents and relatives described the pupils as excited and ready to start, while the school's welcoming staff, familiar nursery friends and older siblings helped ease the transition into education.

Pupils across Inverclyde returned to school for the 2026/27 academic year, including nine sets of twins beginning at Ardgowan Primary. Inverclyde Council also welcomed 26 new teachers, while MP Martin McCluskey wished pupils and school staff well. The article lists term dates and holidays through the academic year, which ends on June 30, 2027.

The Greenock Telegraph presents archived photographs of Primary One classes taken in 2006, featuring pupils from Lady Alice Primary School in Greenock, Lilybank Primary School in Port Glasgow, and Highlanders’ Academy, including its Gaelic unit. The feature invites local readers to recognise people they know and says more photographs will be shared the following week.

Greenock veteran Tam Gorman has pledged to attend the September 5 parade at Battery Park and support the Royal Regiment of Scotland as it receives the Freedom of Inverclyde. Gorman, who served with the Royal Highland Fusiliers from 1971 to 1977 and completed three tours in Northern Ireland, will wear his own medals alongside those of his late brother Eddie. Around 100 serving personnel, including mascot Corporal Cruachan IV, are expected to take part in the public parade along the Esplanade.

Greenock’s Coastguard Rescue Team ranks 29th out of 321 UK teams for attendance requests, placing it among the busiest 10%. Campaigners say the team’s search, rescue, casualty-care and mud-rescue work warrants continued remuneration, arguing that officers currently receive less than minimum wage despite extensive training and disruptive callouts. A campaign involving Coastguard Rescue Officers, GMB and politicians prompted the UK Government to pause plans to replace payments with an expenses-only model while it consults on future arrangements.

James Watt Dock in Greenock opened in 1886 and has changed from a hub associated with the sugar industry and commercial shipping to a marina, tug base and berth for vessels visiting Garvel dry dock. Historic features including the Titan crane and Grade-A listed Sugar Sheds remain, although Garvel House was controversially demolished in 2004. Glasgow Arts Centre Limited has proposed converting the Sugar Sheds into a flexible pop-up events venue.

Nine sets of twins are due to begin Primary 1 at schools across Inverclyde, continuing the area’s reputation as “Twinverclyde.” Families attended the annual photocall at Ardgowan Primary, with parents describing the children’s excitement about starting school. Inverclyde Council says the 2026 intake will bring the district’s total to 176 sets of twins since 2013, while highlighting the renewed or refurbished condition of its schools.

A Telegraph archive photograph shows Fore Street bus station in Port Glasgow in 1992, before a planned redevelopment intended to address the area's unattractive appearance. The £300,000 project was increased to £500,000 after a proposal by councillor Stephen McCabe and included relocating buses, removing a weighbridge layby, creating pedestrian areas and a public square, and improving views toward the waterfront. Although the council’s hoped-for increase in footfall did not fully materialize, landscaping and tree planting added greenery around the station, while the Men’s Club and public toilets remained in place.

A 40-year-old man was arrested near Langbank after police received concerns about a car being driven on the A8. Police Scotland said he was charged with road traffic offences and was due to appear at Greenock Sheriff Court, with a report to be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Richard Rankin was spotted filming the second series of the BBC’s Rebus crime drama near Greenock’s sugar sheds. The production appeared to be staging a crime scene, with police and fire service personnel present and parts of the area cordoned off. The new series, written by Gregory Burke, adds John Michie, Stephen McCole, Emily Barber and Lorne MacFadyen to the cast while returning several established actors, and will explore links between violent crime, law and finance. Inverclyde Council introduced temporary vehicle restrictions on several nearby roads to accommodate filming. The series is based on Ian Rankin’s Inspector Rebus novels, whose television role has previously been played by John Hannah and Ken Stott.

Inverclyde Council postponed a decision on Renewco Power’s proposed £32 million Knocknair Renewable Energy Park near Port Glasgow, opting to visit the site first. Planning officers recommended refusal of the 25-megawatt solar development because it would undermine the green belt. Supporters cited potential electricity for about 7,500 homes, 50 local jobs, business-rate income and community benefits, while councillors raised concerns about visual and environmental impacts and the removal of the battery storage system. The site-visit motion was approved unanimously.

The cruise ship Mein Schiff 3 arrived in Greenock carrying about 2,700 passengers and 1,000 crew members. Operated by TUI Cruises, the 99,430-gross-tonne vessel has 15 decks, a 280-metre jogging track and a 25-metre outdoor pool. Its 14-day round trip includes stops across the UK and Ireland, and it is scheduled to return to Greenock once more this year on August 14. The ship previously made history by visiting Dominica after Hurricane Maria in 2018.