RESOURCES
This section covers sources of information of a more general nature.
ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND (AHSS)
Speaking for Scotland’s Buildings since 1956, the AHSS is a national charity with over 1000 members and volunteers across Scotland. We use our voice to study, protect and celebrate Scotland’s wealth of historic buildings and environments. Its membership includes a number in West Dunbartonshire.
Core to our campaigning work, the Society has a network of local Cases Panels across Scotland. These voluntary panels of AHSS members, monitor applications for listed building consent and planning permission in Conservation Areas, offering advice and guidance to the planning authorities and applicants.
We would love you to join us as a member and enjoy our events such as lectures and outings. And we welcome questions or comments or hearing of your concerns about built hertage near you.
BRITISH LISTED BUILDINGS
This covers the whole of the UK, but this link takes you straight to the Scottish section. The information replicates the official Listed Buildings of Scotland, but has the benefit of added comment, photos and maps. However it only covers buildings listed in the "A" and "B" categories. For all listings, you still need to use the Historic Environment Scotland website. See link below.
https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/scotland#.X8F8AulxdPY
CANMORE
The online catalogue to Scotland’s archaeology, buildings, industrial and maritime heritage.
CLYDESIDER See publications below.
COMMUNITY SOCIAL MEDIA ONLINE
DUMBARTON MEMORIES FaceBook pages. https://www.facebook.com/groups/649554081756715
RENTON FACEBOOK PAGE : THE ONLY WAY IS RENTON
https://en-gb.facebook.com/groups/1611313595801445/
GARTOCHARN including the Kilmaronock district
CORE PATHS
Core Paths are a network of routes for walkers or off-road cyclists that stretch from the urban areas into the rural environment. The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 came into effect in February 2005 and provides everyone with statutory access rights to most land and inland water for recreation and passage as well as for educational and some commercial purposes. These access rights are only available if they are exercised responsibly by respecting people’s privacy, safety and livelihoods, and the environment. Land managers must also manage their land responsibly in relation to access rights by facilitating public access in return for the right to expect responsible behaviour from the public. One of the duties placed on Local Authorities by the Act is the preparation of a Core Paths Plan. This Plan provides a system of paths in an area which, as a whole, will give the public reasonable access throughout the area. While Scotland boasts a right to roam, designated paths enable clarity and a reasonable degree of access. Those in West Dunbartonshire are maintained by the West Dunbartonshire Council except for those that fall under the responsibility of the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park authority. This website gives information including maps.
https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/leisure-parks-events/countryside-facilities-and-wildlife/countryside-and-leisure/core-paths/core-paths-plan/ and https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/leisure-parks-events/countryside-facilities-and-wildlife/countryside-and-leisure/core-paths/core-paths-plan/list-of-core-paths/
DOORS OPEN DAYS : See index.asp?pageid=726858
DUMBARTON MEMORIES : See Commnity Social Media above.
DUMBARTON STATIONS IMPROVEMENT TRUST
A trust with the objective of promoting the improvement of all 4 of Dumbarton's stations. it has recently focused on Dumbarton Central Station and with the assitance of the West Dunbartonshire Council, commissioned a Conservation Management Plan. [Contact through this website].
HERITAGE RESOURCES PORTAL - Resources on Scotland's Past.
This provides resources across various subjects, skills and ages.
A showcase of the best heritage learning resources in Scotland!
The Heritage Resources Portal is unique – a gathering of the best heritage resources about Scotland’s past. It is aimed primarily at teachers but it is a great place for youth workers, home-schoolers and people in other learning and educational settings, to find resources for leading sessions. It also includes learners’ resources, such as games, apps, and primary sources.
All of the resources such as PDFs and games, are free, but note that there may be a charge for workshops.
https://archaeologyscotland.org.uk/heritage-resources-portal/
HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT SCOTLAND (HES)
This is Scotland's official national heritage body. It's role and objectives are wide and far reaching. It is highly recommended that you become familiar with it. It is well known for its historic buildings, most of which can be visited by the public. If you become a member, you get various benefits including free entrance and a magazine. This is through its public interface known as Historic Scotland.
Main website : https://www.historicenvironment.scot/
Listed buildings : https://www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support/listing-scheduling-and-designations/listed-buildings/search-for-a-listed-building/
Historic Scotland membership : https://members.historic-scotland.gov.uk/
LINK UP WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE
Link Up West Dunbartonshire is an online tool for sharing and volunteering in your area. Create a profile for yourself or your organisation and post your skills, spaces, things or events. Or see what others have to offer.
https://www.linkupwestdunbartonshire.org/
MAPS :See index.asp?pageid=733018
NATIONAL TRUST FOR SCOTLAND
In their own words : We’re the largest member organisation in Scotland. As a conservation charity, we’re supported by more than 365,000 members and are funded largely by donations. Since 1931 our love for Scotland has fuelled our desire to protect the things that make it special. By championing Scotland’s natural, built and cultural heritage we inspire those around us. From coastlines to castles, art to architecture, wildlife to wilderness, we encourage people to connect with the things that make Scotland unique while protecting them for future generations. We do it so our heritage will always have a home. We do it so our countryside will remain unspoilt, and accessible. We do what we do … for the love of Scotland.
https://www.nts.org.uk/what-we-do
NEWS
THE DUMBARTON DEMOCRAT : National news and opinion from a local perspective under the editorship of Bill Heaney.
NORTH CLYDE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY (NCAS)
A society dedicated to researching and promoting our local past through excavations. Centred in Helensburgh, but covering all of central west Scotland north of the Clyde.
http://www.spanglefish.com/northclydearchaeologicalsociety/index.asp
OLD KILPATRICK
This is a community website.
https://oldkilpatrick.com/about/
PLACE NAMES
The West Dunbartonshire library service through its Archives and Family History section provides an online resource for those seaking the meaning of place names within this region.
https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/libraries/archives-family-history/place-names/
PUBLICATIONS
CLYDESIDER MAGAZINE : A community media social enterprise based in West Dunbartonshire. Clydesider is a free, quarterly publication produced predominantly by local volunteers who come from all walks of life. Most have not worked in the media before, but the one thing they have in common is a passion for our local community.
Subjects covered range from social issues to history.
SCOTTISH LOCAL HISTORY FORUM
The Scottish Local History Forum keeps you in touch with individuals and organisations involved with local history, heritage and culture. Founded in 1983, it is the umbrella group for local history in Scotland. Members come from all parts of Scotland as well as overseas, and include individuals, historical groups and societies, and heritage organisations such as libraries, archives and museums.
WEBSITES
There are several excellent websites that cover this same area, but in different ways. The following are a selection and visitor and researchers may find useful.
GEOGRAPH.ORG : The Geograph.org® Britain and Ireland project aims to collect geographically representative photographs and information for every square kilometre of Great Britain and Ireland. There is a great deal on West Dunbartonshire with some very well researched contributions. https://www.geograph.org.uk/
VALE OF LEVEN PROJECT : A privately funded and supported information website which includes a history of the Vale of Leven, its towns and villages and villages on East and West Loch Lomond side. http://www.valeofleven.org.uk/
WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL : Everything about the local authority and venues and facilities under it . https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/
WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER SERVICES - WDCVS : As a Third Sector Interface, WDCVS holds a unique position in supporting, promoting, developing and representing volunteering and sector activity across West Dunbartonshire.
Main wesbite : https://www.wdcvs.com/about/
News : https://www.wdcvs.com/news/ FaceBook : https://www.facebook.com/WDCVS
WOMEN IN WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE THROUGH HISTORY
This is a subject that needs greater attention. To address this, the Glasgow Women's Library established a group in West Dunbartonshire to gather oral histories and found a wealth of personal testimony, anecdote, humour and memory rediscovered in people’s living rooms and attics as well as in archives, tells the story of local women’s experiences of life in West Dunbartonshire in the 1950s and 1960s.[GWL].
You can read more about them on their website.
GLASGOW WOMEN'S LIBRARY : https://womenslibrary.org.uk/?s=west+dunbartonshire
