Rosneath Peninsula facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rosneath Peninsula
Sunrise Over Rosneath - geograph.org.uk - 761174
Rosneath Peninsula
OS grid reference	NS 22819 85023
District	Argyllshire
Council area	Argyll and Bute
Lieutenancy area	Dunbartonshire
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Helensburgh
Postcode district	G84
Dialling code	01436
EU Parliament	Scotland
UK Parliament	Argyll and Bute
Scottish Parliament	Dumbarton
List of places UK Scotland 56°01′31″N 4°50′41″W / 56.025250°N 4.8446960°W / 56.025250; -4.8446960

The Rosneath Peninsula is a peninsula in Argyll and Bute, West of Scotland. Formerly in the historic county of Dunbartonshire, it is formed on its eastern shore from the confluence of the Firth of Clyde with the Gare Loch, and of the Clyde with Loch Long to the west.

Geography

It is approximately 7 miles (11 kilometres) long (as measured from the head of the Gare Loch) and 3+1⁄2 miles (5.5 kilometres) across at its widest point. The 56th parallel north cuts through the southern end of the peninsula.

Naming

Although named after the small village of Rosneath on its eastern shore, the largest settlements are the contiguous villages of Kilcreggan and Cove at its southernmost tip. During the Victorian era it became a popular destination for wealthy Glasgow businessmen who built luxurious holiday homes along its shore. Rosneath Castle was for a time the residence of Princess Louise, Queen Victoria's daughter. As with many grand houses in the area, it has since been demolished.

Settlements

On the western shore of the peninsula the settlement of Coulport is home to a Royal Navy Armaments Depot, whilst on the eastern shore the hamlet of Rahane overlooks the HMNB Clyde base of the United Kingdom's nuclear weapons.

Transport

Access to the peninsula is either by road (the B833 which runs from Garelochhead to Coulport) or by ferry from Gourock to Kilcreggan, however the ferry is for foot passengers only. During the summer months PS Waverley calls at Kilcreggan pier. The B833 follows the shoreline but two roads cross the peninsula: both un-numbered, one for local traffic from Ardpeaton to Rahane, the other considerably larger and mainly designed for military traffic between Coulport and Faslane.

More recently the area has become a popular destination for cyclists as it is possible to do a circular tour of the peninsula using the military road.

Settlements