Residents express fears for the future of famous Dumbarton landmark
The quarrying operation taking place at Dumbarton landmark Dumbuck Hill. Picture by Jim Crosthwaite
By Bill Heaney
One of Dumbarton’s great landmarks is being blown off the face of the earth – and local people are raging about it.
Newton man Jim Crosthwaite has produced shocking pictures taken from nearby Dumbuie – the Camel’s Hump – which that the centre of Dumbuck has been scooped out of it.
Milton residents have complained bitterly over the years about the quarrying operations that have taken place there and they pleaded successfully with the Scottish Government that planning consent should not be renewed.
The villagers protested against the noise of regular explosions and the danger of rocks blown up in the process sliding down the hill into their properties.
Complaints about the blasting have been going on for more than quarter of a century and even then people were shocked by what they viewed as the desecration of Dumbuck which was a familiar landmark going back to Roman times. Archaeologists have found cup and ring markings going back to the fifth century in that area.
There are now fears amongst local people that when the quarrying ceases, Dumbuck will be sold off as a refuse coup, a landfill site.
And there have been expressions of dismay from local people at what is happening on social media.
Ann Wears looked back nostalgically: “I remember walking here many years ago with my grandfather. There used to be a lookout on top built for World War II.”
Jim Wingate said: “I stayed in High Mains and used to go up Dumbuck and remember the wee hut at the top early 60s.”
Christopher McLaren just sighed: “Oh dear.”
Greg Adams added: “[It] will not be long until it’s sold on and used as a landfill [site].”
A view of Dumbuck looking towards the River Clyde and Roman cup and ring markings in the Old Kilpatrick Hills.
A view of Dumbuck Hill from the decks of the PS Waverley passing down the River Clyde. Pictures by Jim Crosthwaite and Bill Heaney