Cove, Peaton and Coulport

At one time the Peninsula and Lochside communities depended mainly on farming and fishing as a livelihood, mostly living in small clustered townships. Gaelic was the usual language, but probably some English was also used. As the area had good communication with the south and east through ferry traffic, there were the services to and from Gourock, Rhu and Ardentinny as well as several others.

There was a pier at both Cove and Coulport which was used by a few of the steamers sailing on the Clyde estuary. Coulport was also the site of a well established ferry across Loch Long to Ardentinny. This was the route from the distant parts of Argyle to Dumbarton and beyond. It was a royal ferry and in the 19th century the owner of Coulport was under a legal obligation to provide a ferry service. The ferries both here at nearby at Port an Lochain were used to transport cattle on the way to market, as well as people.

 Near the summit of Cnoc-na-h'Airighe hill is Lochan Ghlas Laoigh . This was chosen in the 19th century to supply water for the growing population of Rosneath peninsula.

Whisky was distilled in illicit stills in many corners of the hillside around Loch Long and Gareloch. On one occasion the Excisemen landed at Peaton, near Coulport, and caught some smugglers red handed. Very quickly all the local people emerged from the cottages and they drove the Excisemen back to their boat, forcing them to give up the whisky they had ceased. When they reached the safety of their boat they fired a couple of canon shots over the crowd - but fortunately no one was injured. Read more here.