Greenock

Greenock is now a sea-port, and large town, but it started out as a fishing village. It developed into a port due to the herring trade in the 17th century, and then, at the time of the Industrial Revolution, it became very important for shipbuilding and famous for engineering, oil-refining, sugar-refining, barrel making, glass, pottery, paper, and distilling. It was also a departure place for emigrants.

Two famous people to be born in Greenock were James Watt, inventor of the steam engine, and Abram Lyle the sugar-refiner, who co-founded the brand ‘Tate and Lyle’ which now makes a variety of syrups, sugars and treacle.