VALE OF LEVEN INDUSTRIAL ESTATE LIONSGATE, Stirling Road (A813) / Levenside Road .
ACCESS : Easy access on foot. Awkward by car or public transport.
B listed.
On Stirling Road where it approaches the Vale of Leven Industrial Estate from Dumbarton is a very small classical building that is listed B, but is almost lost under creepers and brambles. That sort of adds mystery; a lost ancient civilisation on our doorstep.
What is it?
A war memorial?
A monument to some important landowner?
As the listing text briefly notes it is a Classical portico with 4 fluted ionic columns on a podium with steps. Canmore is unhelpful. But Lairich Rig writing on Geograph.org tells us that it is simply the gateway to the industrial estate. Rather grand and classical for what lies beyond, but optimistic for its time. You will be hardpressed to find any inscription on it today.
If you look at a Google Map you may notice that the roundabout here is called Lionsgate Roundabout. This because this monument was even grander and was flanked by two stone lions, lions that were uncermoniously removed in the 1960's.
A section of a substantial stone remains alongside it.
One of the corner posts of the boundary wall now covered with vegetation.
There is of course a more mundane monument within the estate.
///masking.headliner.violinist
This nondescript one commemorates :
HER MAJESTY
QUEEN ELIZABETH
VISITED THIS ESTATE
16TH APRIL 1953
The lower added panel reads :
THE QUEEN
AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH
ACCOMPANIED BY
THE PRINCESS ANNE
VISITED THIS ESTATE 29TH JUNE 1971
GEOGRAPH.ORG : https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/912661
HISTORIC SCOTLAND SCOTLAND website for listed buildings : http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB824
