Clydebank factfile

How to get to Clydebank
Clydebank is in the county of West Dunbartonshire, Scotland. It's 11km (7 mi) north-west of Glasgow and 85 km (53 mi) west of Edinburgh.

Clydebank through the ages
Situated on the north bank of the River Clyde, the Scottish town is famous for its shipbuilding and industrial heritage. Clydebank has been inhabited for hundreds of years, with Roman ruins found at Goldenhill Park.

But it wasn't until the late 19th century that Clydebank came into its own. In 1885 the Singer sewing machine factory opened, employing 5,000 workers, and in 1872, J & G Thomson set up the Clydebank Shipbuilding Yard. The town's population soared, and by 1914 it was home to 43,000 residents.

In 1899, the Thompson shipyard was taken over by John Brown & Co, who became famous for producing the Lusitania (1906), Queen Mary (1934), Queen Elizabeth (1938) and the QE2 (1967).

On 13 and 14 March 1941, the Germans bombed huge sections of the town in what became known as the Clydebank Blitz. Of the 12,000 houses in the town, only seven remained intact, with 4,000 totally destroyed. Over 500 people were killed, with many hundreds injured, and 95 per cent of Clydebank's residents had to be evacuated.

Famous landmarks in Clydebank
The Titan crane is a giant former shipyard crane, built by Sir William Arrol & Co and erected in 1907 at the Clydebank Shipyard. The crane was used to fit some of the world's great liners and warships, including the HMS Hood and the Queen Elizabeth. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views from the glass walkway built into the crane, 46 m (150 ft) above the River Clyde.

Entertainment in Clydebank
Clydebank has a number of cinemas, pubs, restaurants and cafés, as well as a tenpin bowling centre and a large indoor go-karting venue.

Every summer the Glasgow River Festival hosts events and activities along the banks of the River Clyde. Attracting tens of thousands of people, visitors can take part in a weekend of entertainment including dancing, live music, sailing and boat rides.

Shopping in Clydebank
Major high-street names and one-off shops rub shoulders in the Clyde Shopping Centre. The centre includes a cinema, restaurants and well-equipped parent-and-child facilities. Regular bus services run from the town centre.

Things to see and do around Clydebank
Clydebank Museum in nearby Dumbarton celebrates Clydebank's history.

Dumbarton Castle is perched on top of a 73 m (240 ft) volcanic hill, and includes a small museum.

Natural beauty spots in Clydebank
Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve is approximately 64 km (40 mi) from Clydebank and is renowned for its mature oak woodlands, islands and wetlands.