Dream Destinations

‘Dream Destinations’ celebrates the rise of Scotland’s seaside resorts and the golden era of steamboat travel ‘doon the watter’.

The exhibition charts the growing popularity of sailing down the Clyde to Helensburgh, Gourock, Largs, Saltcoats, Ayr, Millport, Dunoon and Rothesay for the day or a ‘staycation’ from the early 1900s.

It also delves into the rivalry between railway and steamship companies as they first worked together then competed for tourist income.

Highlights include three watercolour prints by John Ferguson Ross, a printmaker specialising in maritime and shipping scenes who also taught at Glasgow School of Art from 1925 to 1948.

His prints look fondly on Tarbet Pier, Dunure and Loch Fyne, bringing to life the natural beauty of the West of Scotland and popular summer destinations. The prints are kindly on loan from Pam Fitzpatrick.