Renton, Scotland
Encyclopedia
Renton is a small district
in central Scotland
. In the 2001 National Census it had a population of 2,138.
Renton is particularly famous for the village's association football side. Renton F.C.
was one of the 11 founder members of the Scottish Football League
and winners of the 1885 and 1888 Scottish Cup
, producing many famous players.
) after whom the modern sandstone, 'model' village was named in 1762. Dalquhurn Bleachworks in 1715 and Cordale Printworks in 1770 were responsible for attracting new industrial workers. At the north of the village stood the Place of Bonhill, a residence from 1642, to the South was Dalquhurn House. Two parallel north-south streets, Main Street and Back Street were first joined by Station Street, Stirling Street, Burns Street, Thimble Street, Market Street and Red Row. In late Victorian times, the village extended southwards to Leven Street, Alexander Street and John Street. Further expansion occurred in the 1930s as housing was built in the grounds of Cordale House. In the early 1960s the majority of the sandstone properties in the village were compulsory purchased by Dumbarton County Council, demolished and replaced by Dumbarton County Council with 1960s Brutalist-style concrete houses and flats; the majority of which have been replaced by proper houses, own front & back door, by the Cordale Housing Association.
It has traditionally been a stronghold of radical left-wing politics; during the 1930s it had Communist councillors, Buster Lamont, never toed the Labour Party line and independent councillors such as Jimmy McKenzie (1960/70s), and since 1999 it has been represented on West Dunbartonshire
council by Jim Bollan
, at present the Scottish Socialist Party
's only councillor.
It lies on the main road, A82 as was, between Alexandria and Dumbarton. Renton railway station
is on the line from Glasgow
to Balloch. It has a footbridge across the River Leven
to the Strathleven Industrial Estate (once a major source of employment), and a minor road, with a steep 33% hill, across Carman Hill to Cardross.
According to Bruce Historian Stuart Smith, a charter dating from 1362 charter states that Robert the Bruce resided between Kings Park of Cardross and the lands of Pillanflatt, bounding the lands of Dalquhurn. This would suggest a site to the south of the Pillanflat, but to the north of Castle Park, in the vicinity of what is now Mains of Cardross.
and Archie Thomson MBE also contributed to the redevelopment of the Renton. The community spirit of Renton really does seem to produce remarkable characters, as the history books show. True character in the village still remains in the shape of Tom Swan's sweet shop.
Tobias Smollett
: was a writer. He was born in Dalquhurn House in what is now Renton in 1721. After an education at Dumbarton Grammar School and Glasgow University, he joined the Navy, serving as a surgeon's mate. The experiences of his early life provided graphic backing for his first novel "Roderick Random" (1748). Living by his pen, Smollett was prolific and variously successful as an editor, translator, dramatist, political satirist, historian and poet. At one time his reputation was the highest of four or five great authors, who can be said to have founded the English novel. Scott and Thackery both rated him highly, and Sheridan, Dickens and Joyce are all said to have been influenced by him. Dr Johnson admired him and it is considered that Smollett deserves notice as one of the first half dozen Scottish literacy geniuses. The Smollett Monument in Main Street was erected by his cousin, three years after the author's death in Italy
in 1771.
William Stirling: was born in Glasgow in 1717, son of John Stirling, a Virginia merchant and Provost of Glasgow. Reputedly William Stirling ranked with the four young Virginians who were among the founders of the mercantile greatness of Glasgow. His uncle was a partner in the first commercial bleach fields in Scotland in Dalquhurn, and founder of Stirling's Library in Glasgow. In 1750 William Stirling formed William Stirling and Company and began printing handkerchiefs, garments and furniture. In 1770 William Stirling and Sons built the printfield at Cordale, attracted by the fast clean flowing water of the Leven, two years later they purchased Dalquhurn Works. For the next 106 years a member of the Stirling family controlled the business and lived in Cordale House. William Stirling and the industry he brought to a rural hamlet was responsible for much of what is Renton today. He has long been remembered by Stirling Street, leading as it did to his factory at Cordale.
: was born in Renton in 1815 and emigrated to Australia
in 1837. After several newspaper jobs, Harrison
became the first editor and owner of the Geelong Advertiser in Victoria. In 1852 he set about installing what is generally accepted as the world's first refrigerated compressor. He invented the world's first man made ice making plant in 1857. In 1863 he pioneered a method of freezing meat so it could be transported from Australia to the rest of the world. The Australian Institute of Refrigeration named their headquarters after him, to go with a bridge and street names. There are also plans for a museum to his achievements. Harrison Place was named after James in 1999.
Alexander Wylie: was born in 1839 the son of a well-respected colour mixer. Alexander joined the firm of William Stirling and Sons as a salesman in 1874 and four years later became chairman of the company that owned both Cordale and Dalquhurn Works. He lived at Cordale House from then until his death in 1921. He was married for only three years but his wife was long remembered for her acts of benevolence towards the working people in the village. Alexander carried on this philanthropic, benevolent work for the rest of his life. He was elected as a Liberal Unionist MP in 1895 until 1906, for a time he was President of Renton Football Club and Unofficial Provost
of Renton. His is the only burial plot in Renton Trinity Churchyard, from where he wanted to look across to Cordale House. The house was demolished in 1934, Wylie Place was completed in 1997 by the Association. Wylie Park at the south end of Renton is named after him.
Alex Jackson
: was born in Renton on 1905 and played for Renton Victoria Football Club. His skill as a winger soon saw him transferred to Dumbarton Football Club in 1922 for the pre-inflation price of a football. Alex went out to play in America before coming back to Britain to play for Aberdeen
, Huddersfield
, (he was transferred from Huddersfield to Chelsea
in 1930 for £8,500), and finally for Nice F.C.
in France. The high point of his footballing career for many people was undoubtly in 1928 when as part of the "Wembley Wizards
" team, Alex scored a hat trick in a 5-1 defeat of England
. He went on to be capped 17 times for Scotland. Jackson Place was named after Alex in 1995.
Skeets Gallacher
: a famous boxer from Renton. Richard "Skeets" Gallacher (born 1925 in Renton, Scotland) was a leading boxer. As a boy he was trained as a boxer by his father, who identified him as a natural southpaw (boxing with his right hand and foot forward). Richard was nicknamed Skeets after a film character of the day and had his first fight in 1942 weighing only 7 stones (44 kg). Skeets went on to win 34 consecutive amateur contests and in doing so became Scottish and British Champion. Defeats of French and American rivals later saw him crowned unofficial amateur flyweight champion of the world. His professional careers was cut short by injury, but he remained a well-respected figure still involved in later years in keep fit classes and local boxing clubs. Gallacher Way in Renton was named after him in 1995.
Katherine Drain: was born at 13 Burns Street, Renton in 1868, the daughter of a block printer. In an age when many in the village were illiterate, Katherine Drain derived a precarious existence by writing poetry for a living. In 1902 she published a volume of her works entitled "Loch Lomond Rhymes" which were well received both locally and by the monarchy from whom she received a royal seal of approval. Her works include "In the Bonnie Wee Toon O'Renton", "A Mother's Lament" and "The Fireside Emigrants". Katherine died in 1904 aged only thirty six. Katherine Place was named after her in 1998.
James Allison Glen
: was born in Renton in 1877, the son of David Glen and wife Mary who a had boot and shoe shop in the village. James attended school in Renton and Alexandria before studying at Glasgow University. In 1911 he left for Canada where he practised law in Russell, Manitoba. In 1926 he was elected to the Canadian House of Commons
as the MP for Marquette, Manitoba. In 1940 he was elected speaker of the House of Commons and went on to be a Minister of Mines and Resources as well as becoming a member of the Privy Council. He was appointed a member of International Joint Commission
in 1948. Glen View completed in 1999 is named after him.
Duncan McLaren
: was born in Renton in 1800, youngest of ten children. His father worked in Cordale Printworks. After passing through the hands of relatives, he ended up working in an Edinburgh drapers shop in 1818. Six years later he opened his own shop. He was elected onto Edinburgh Town Council in 1834. Soon he was elected City Treasurer and found that the city's finances were in ruin and that the Scottish Capital was bankrupt. His work extricated Edinburgh
from financial ruin. In 1835 he pioneered free education for all classes and started a building programme of thirteen schools. In 1851 he was elected Lord Provost
. In 1865 he was elected one of Edinburgh's two MPs – a position he held until he retired 16 years later. In Parliament
he proved a conscientious and intelligent representative, and acquired a position of so much authority on Scottish questions, that he was called "Member for Scotland".
Andy Duncan
: Professional footballer.
Jane Duncan
: the novelist, was born Elizabeth Jane Cameron in Renton in 1910, the daughter of a police officer.
Jack Ashurst
: a former professional footballer, was born in Renton. He played for Sunderland
and Blackpool
, amongst other clubs.
James Kelly
James Kelly was the first ever captain of Celtic.
The fledging club’s capture of this renowned and accomplished centre-half from Renton was a massive coup for Celtic as James Kelly was one of the best known and highly regarded players of his era, as well as a very respected person.
His name was elevated after being amongst the lauded Renton side that beaten both West Bromwich Albion (FA Cup holders) and Preston North End (FA Cup runners up) in 1888. Additionally, Renton were recent winners of the Scottish Cup.
The presence of James Kelly in the Celtic ranks was a catalyst in attracting other top players who would only be too happy to sign up to play in Glasgow’s east end alongside him.
won the World Cup, the footballing world was in its infancy in 1888, almost exclusively played by Scottish and English clubs. It was a World Cup Championship by default – nevertheless Renton's claim is undisputed. They won the Scottish Cup
with a 6-1 thrashing of Cambuslang F.C.
Then they humbled English Cup holders West Bromwich Albion, who had prepared in Scotland for two weeks. The score was 4-1 in front of a record 10,000 fans at Hampden Park
. Renton endorsed their title with an away win against "The Invincibles
" of Preston North End. A "Champion of the World" sign was proudly displayed on the pavilion at Tontine Park. They were ahead of their time in training for stamina and strength. Their weapon was Renton's own famous "chicken bree", the ingredients never disclosed but it was probably port wine switched with a couple of eggs administered daily.
Quoiting was a popular sport amongst the male villagers. Quoiting greens were found in Renton, Alexandria, Hardgate and many Ayrshire villages. Quoits were heavy iron rings, rounded on one side, flat on the other and weighed 8-12 pounds but could be up to 23 pounds. They were hurled at a steel pin driven into a three-foot square clay bed, with the common length of the green being 22 yards. Renton were Scottish Champions in 1949 and 1986. There is a photograph of the victorious 1949 team in Renton Railway Station.
District
Districts are a type of administrative division, in some countries managed by a local government. They vary greatly in size, spanning entire regions or counties, several municipalities, or subdivisions of municipalities.-Austria:...
in central Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. In the 2001 National Census it had a population of 2,138.
Renton is particularly famous for the village's association football side. Renton F.C.
Renton F.C.
Renton Football Club was a prominent team in the early history of Scottish football. The club was based in the village of Renton, West Dunbartonshire...
was one of the 11 founder members of the Scottish Football League
Scottish Football League
The Scottish Football League is a league of football teams in Scotland, comprising theScottish First Division, Scottish Second Division and Scottish Third Division. From the league's foundation in 1890 until the breakaway Scottish Premier League was formed in 1998, the Scottish Football League...
and winners of the 1885 and 1888 Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
, producing many famous players.
History
The Renton takes its name from Cecilia Renton (daughter-in-law of Tobias SmollettTobias Smollett
Tobias George Smollett was a Scottish poet and author. He was best known for his picaresque novels, such as The Adventures of Roderick Random and The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle , which influenced later novelists such as Charles Dickens.-Life:Smollett was born at Dalquhurn, now part of Renton,...
) after whom the modern sandstone, 'model' village was named in 1762. Dalquhurn Bleachworks in 1715 and Cordale Printworks in 1770 were responsible for attracting new industrial workers. At the north of the village stood the Place of Bonhill, a residence from 1642, to the South was Dalquhurn House. Two parallel north-south streets, Main Street and Back Street were first joined by Station Street, Stirling Street, Burns Street, Thimble Street, Market Street and Red Row. In late Victorian times, the village extended southwards to Leven Street, Alexander Street and John Street. Further expansion occurred in the 1930s as housing was built in the grounds of Cordale House. In the early 1960s the majority of the sandstone properties in the village were compulsory purchased by Dumbarton County Council, demolished and replaced by Dumbarton County Council with 1960s Brutalist-style concrete houses and flats; the majority of which have been replaced by proper houses, own front & back door, by the Cordale Housing Association.
It has traditionally been a stronghold of radical left-wing politics; during the 1930s it had Communist councillors, Buster Lamont, never toed the Labour Party line and independent councillors such as Jimmy McKenzie (1960/70s), and since 1999 it has been represented on West Dunbartonshire
West Dunbartonshire
West Dunbartonshire is one of the 32 local government council areas of Scotland. Bordering onto the west of the City of Glasgow, containing many of Glasgow's commuter towns and villages as well as the city's suburbs, West Dunbartonshire also borders onto Argyll and Bute, Stirling, East...
council by Jim Bollan
Jim Bollan
Jim Bollan is a councillor in West Dunbartonshire in Scotland. He is a member of the Scottish Socialist Party, and is at present its only elected representative....
, at present the Scottish Socialist Party
Scottish Socialist Party
The Scottish Socialist Party is a left-wing Scottish political party. Positioning itself significantly to the left of Scotland's centre-left parties, the SSP campaigns on a socialist economic platform and for Scottish independence....
's only councillor.
It lies on the main road, A82 as was, between Alexandria and Dumbarton. Renton railway station
Renton railway station
Renton railway station is a railway station serving the village of Renton, Scotland. The station is managed by First ScotRail and is served by trains on the North Clyde Line, 28 km west of .- Services :...
is on the line from Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
to Balloch. It has a footbridge across the River Leven
River Leven, Dunbartonshire
The River Leven is a stretch of water in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland, flowing from Loch Lomond in the North to the River Clyde in the South...
to the Strathleven Industrial Estate (once a major source of employment), and a minor road, with a steep 33% hill, across Carman Hill to Cardross.
Robert the Bruce's Palace
Despite a report that appeared in The Observer on Sunday 22 February 2009(1) stating that the buried ruins of the castle of Robert the Bruce had been found in the Pillanflatt area of Renton, this interpretation has yet to be confirmed. While there is strong Charter evidence to indicate the presence of a manor or hunting lodge belonging to Bruce in the area, this is more likely to have been located in the vicinity of Mains of Cardross, to the south of the Pillanflat, rather than in the area to the north of it. Stone, plaster and mortar are not generally susceptible to scientific dating techniques, and lime mortar was used from the Roman period up to the late 19th or early 20th centuries.According to Bruce Historian Stuart Smith, a charter dating from 1362 charter states that Robert the Bruce resided between Kings Park of Cardross and the lands of Pillanflatt, bounding the lands of Dalquhurn. This would suggest a site to the south of the Pillanflat, but to the north of Castle Park, in the vicinity of what is now Mains of Cardross.
Modern times
In recent times, Renton has seen some major social regeneration most notably, although not restricted to, housing; Much of this is down to Cordale Housing Association, who have revitalised what was a severely deprived area. The hard work of community activists such as Cllr Jim BollanJim Bollan
Jim Bollan is a councillor in West Dunbartonshire in Scotland. He is a member of the Scottish Socialist Party, and is at present its only elected representative....
and Archie Thomson MBE also contributed to the redevelopment of the Renton. The community spirit of Renton really does seem to produce remarkable characters, as the history books show. True character in the village still remains in the shape of Tom Swan's sweet shop.
Born before Renton was built
Robert the Bruce: Robert I, King of Scots died on 7 June 1329, at the Manor of Cardross, near Renton, where he had been living since 1326. The identification of the Royal Manor of Cardross is derived from a 1329 reference to the 'Manerium de Cardross', but its exact location is uncertain. It may not have been very near the modern village of Cardross, although it was probably in Cardross Parish. Barrow suggests that it was at present-day Mains of Cardross farm on the outskirts of Dumbarton, beside the River Leven, and certainly the place-name 'Mains' would appear to derive from 'Manerium'. Bruce's son, David II, and his grandson Robert II, the first Stewart King, both left the Manor at Cardoss en-route to Scone, where they were crowned King of Scots.Tobias Smollett
Tobias Smollett
Tobias George Smollett was a Scottish poet and author. He was best known for his picaresque novels, such as The Adventures of Roderick Random and The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle , which influenced later novelists such as Charles Dickens.-Life:Smollett was born at Dalquhurn, now part of Renton,...
: was a writer. He was born in Dalquhurn House in what is now Renton in 1721. After an education at Dumbarton Grammar School and Glasgow University, he joined the Navy, serving as a surgeon's mate. The experiences of his early life provided graphic backing for his first novel "Roderick Random" (1748). Living by his pen, Smollett was prolific and variously successful as an editor, translator, dramatist, political satirist, historian and poet. At one time his reputation was the highest of four or five great authors, who can be said to have founded the English novel. Scott and Thackery both rated him highly, and Sheridan, Dickens and Joyce are all said to have been influenced by him. Dr Johnson admired him and it is considered that Smollett deserves notice as one of the first half dozen Scottish literacy geniuses. The Smollett Monument in Main Street was erected by his cousin, three years after the author's death in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
in 1771.
William Stirling: was born in Glasgow in 1717, son of John Stirling, a Virginia merchant and Provost of Glasgow. Reputedly William Stirling ranked with the four young Virginians who were among the founders of the mercantile greatness of Glasgow. His uncle was a partner in the first commercial bleach fields in Scotland in Dalquhurn, and founder of Stirling's Library in Glasgow. In 1750 William Stirling formed William Stirling and Company and began printing handkerchiefs, garments and furniture. In 1770 William Stirling and Sons built the printfield at Cordale, attracted by the fast clean flowing water of the Leven, two years later they purchased Dalquhurn Works. For the next 106 years a member of the Stirling family controlled the business and lived in Cordale House. William Stirling and the industry he brought to a rural hamlet was responsible for much of what is Renton today. He has long been remembered by Stirling Street, leading as it did to his factory at Cordale.
People from Renton
James HarrisonJames Harrison (engineer)
James Harrison was an Australian newspaper printer, journalist, politician, and pioneer in the field of mechanical refrigeration.-Early life:...
: was born in Renton in 1815 and emigrated to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
in 1837. After several newspaper jobs, Harrison
James Harrison (engineer)
James Harrison was an Australian newspaper printer, journalist, politician, and pioneer in the field of mechanical refrigeration.-Early life:...
became the first editor and owner of the Geelong Advertiser in Victoria. In 1852 he set about installing what is generally accepted as the world's first refrigerated compressor. He invented the world's first man made ice making plant in 1857. In 1863 he pioneered a method of freezing meat so it could be transported from Australia to the rest of the world. The Australian Institute of Refrigeration named their headquarters after him, to go with a bridge and street names. There are also plans for a museum to his achievements. Harrison Place was named after James in 1999.
Alexander Wylie: was born in 1839 the son of a well-respected colour mixer. Alexander joined the firm of William Stirling and Sons as a salesman in 1874 and four years later became chairman of the company that owned both Cordale and Dalquhurn Works. He lived at Cordale House from then until his death in 1921. He was married for only three years but his wife was long remembered for her acts of benevolence towards the working people in the village. Alexander carried on this philanthropic, benevolent work for the rest of his life. He was elected as a Liberal Unionist MP in 1895 until 1906, for a time he was President of Renton Football Club and Unofficial Provost
Provost (civil)
A provost is the ceremonial head of many Scottish local authorities, and under the name prévôt was a governmental position of varying importance in Ancien Regime France.-History:...
of Renton. His is the only burial plot in Renton Trinity Churchyard, from where he wanted to look across to Cordale House. The house was demolished in 1934, Wylie Place was completed in 1997 by the Association. Wylie Park at the south end of Renton is named after him.
Alex Jackson
Alex Jackson
Alexander Skinner Jackson was a Scottish footballer.Alex Jackson was born in Renton in 1905. A highly-talented winger, known as the Gay Cavalier, he was particularly adept at dribbling and free kicks. He initially played for Renton Victoria Football Club but was transferred to Dumbarton F.C. in...
: was born in Renton on 1905 and played for Renton Victoria Football Club. His skill as a winger soon saw him transferred to Dumbarton Football Club in 1922 for the pre-inflation price of a football. Alex went out to play in America before coming back to Britain to play for Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
, Huddersfield
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
, (he was transferred from Huddersfield to Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
in 1930 for £8,500), and finally for Nice F.C.
OGC Nice
Olympique Gymnaste Club Nice Côte d'Azur is a French association football club based in Nice. The club was founded in 1904 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top-tier of French football. Nice plays its home matches at the Stade Municipal du Ray located within the city. In 2013, the club is...
in France. The high point of his footballing career for many people was undoubtly in 1928 when as part of the "Wembley Wizards
Wembley Wizards
- Aftermath :When asked for his comment after the game, Alex James simply beamed a smile and said, “We could have had ten!”Back in Scotland the pubs did rather well and the newspapers were not slow in piling praise on the heads of those little no-hopers of the Scottish side...
" team, Alex scored a hat trick in a 5-1 defeat of England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
. He went on to be capped 17 times for Scotland. Jackson Place was named after Alex in 1995.
Skeets Gallacher
Skeets Gallacher
Richard "Skeets" Gallacher was a leading boxer. As a boy he was trained as a boxer by his father, who identified him as a natural southpaw. Richard was nicknamed Skeets after a film character of the day and had his first fight in 1942 weighing only 7 stones...
: a famous boxer from Renton. Richard "Skeets" Gallacher (born 1925 in Renton, Scotland) was a leading boxer. As a boy he was trained as a boxer by his father, who identified him as a natural southpaw (boxing with his right hand and foot forward). Richard was nicknamed Skeets after a film character of the day and had his first fight in 1942 weighing only 7 stones (44 kg). Skeets went on to win 34 consecutive amateur contests and in doing so became Scottish and British Champion. Defeats of French and American rivals later saw him crowned unofficial amateur flyweight champion of the world. His professional careers was cut short by injury, but he remained a well-respected figure still involved in later years in keep fit classes and local boxing clubs. Gallacher Way in Renton was named after him in 1995.
Katherine Drain: was born at 13 Burns Street, Renton in 1868, the daughter of a block printer. In an age when many in the village were illiterate, Katherine Drain derived a precarious existence by writing poetry for a living. In 1902 she published a volume of her works entitled "Loch Lomond Rhymes" which were well received both locally and by the monarchy from whom she received a royal seal of approval. Her works include "In the Bonnie Wee Toon O'Renton", "A Mother's Lament" and "The Fireside Emigrants". Katherine died in 1904 aged only thirty six. Katherine Place was named after her in 1998.
James Allison Glen
James Allison Glen
James Allison Glen, PC was a Canadian parliamentarian and Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons from 1940 to 1945....
: was born in Renton in 1877, the son of David Glen and wife Mary who a had boot and shoe shop in the village. James attended school in Renton and Alexandria before studying at Glasgow University. In 1911 he left for Canada where he practised law in Russell, Manitoba. In 1926 he was elected to the Canadian House of Commons
Canadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
as the MP for Marquette, Manitoba. In 1940 he was elected speaker of the House of Commons and went on to be a Minister of Mines and Resources as well as becoming a member of the Privy Council. He was appointed a member of International Joint Commission
International Joint Commission
The International Joint Commission is an independent binational organization established by the United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909.The Commission has responsibilities related to the following treaties and agreements:...
in 1948. Glen View completed in 1999 is named after him.
Duncan McLaren
Duncan McLaren
Duncan McLaren was a Liberal Party Member of Parliament for Edinburgh.Born in Renton, Scotland, Duncan McLaren was the youngest of ten children of John McLaren and Catherine McLellan. Apart from two years of schooling, was self taught. After school, he was apprenticed to a merchant in Dunbar...
: was born in Renton in 1800, youngest of ten children. His father worked in Cordale Printworks. After passing through the hands of relatives, he ended up working in an Edinburgh drapers shop in 1818. Six years later he opened his own shop. He was elected onto Edinburgh Town Council in 1834. Soon he was elected City Treasurer and found that the city's finances were in ruin and that the Scottish Capital was bankrupt. His work extricated Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
from financial ruin. In 1835 he pioneered free education for all classes and started a building programme of thirteen schools. In 1851 he was elected Lord Provost
Lord Provost
A Lord Provost is the figurative and ceremonial head of one of the principal cities of Scotland. Four cities, Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow, have the right to appoint a Lord Provost instead of a provost...
. In 1865 he was elected one of Edinburgh's two MPs – a position he held until he retired 16 years later. In Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
he proved a conscientious and intelligent representative, and acquired a position of so much authority on Scottish questions, that he was called "Member for Scotland".
Andy Duncan
Andy Duncan (footballer born 1911)
Andy Duncan was a professional footballer who played for Renton Thistle, Dumbarton, Hull City, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelmsford City.- Football career :...
: Professional footballer.
Jane Duncan
Jane Duncan
Jane Duncan was the pseudonym of Scottish writer Elizabeth Jane Cameron, best-known for her My Friends series of semi-autobiographical novels...
: the novelist, was born Elizabeth Jane Cameron in Renton in 1910, the daughter of a police officer.
Jack Ashurst
Jack Ashurst
John "Jack" Ashurst is a Scottish former professional football player. He played as a defender.-Biography:...
: a former professional footballer, was born in Renton. He played for Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
and Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
, amongst other clubs.
James Kelly
James Kelly was the first ever captain of Celtic.
The fledging club’s capture of this renowned and accomplished centre-half from Renton was a massive coup for Celtic as James Kelly was one of the best known and highly regarded players of his era, as well as a very respected person.
His name was elevated after being amongst the lauded Renton side that beaten both West Bromwich Albion (FA Cup holders) and Preston North End (FA Cup runners up) in 1888. Additionally, Renton were recent winners of the Scottish Cup.
The presence of James Kelly in the Celtic ranks was a catalyst in attracting other top players who would only be too happy to sign up to play in Glasgow’s east end alongside him.
Sport
When Renton F.C.Renton F.C.
Renton Football Club was a prominent team in the early history of Scottish football. The club was based in the village of Renton, West Dunbartonshire...
won the World Cup, the footballing world was in its infancy in 1888, almost exclusively played by Scottish and English clubs. It was a World Cup Championship by default – nevertheless Renton's claim is undisputed. They won the Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
with a 6-1 thrashing of Cambuslang F.C.
Cambuslang F.C.
Cambuslang Football Club was a Scottish football club, based in the Cambuslang area of Glasgow. Cambuslang was one of the founding members of the Scottish Football League, but left the league after just two seasons....
Then they humbled English Cup holders West Bromwich Albion, who had prepared in Scotland for two weeks. The score was 4-1 in front of a record 10,000 fans at Hampden Park
Hampden Park
Hampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland...
. Renton endorsed their title with an away win against "The Invincibles
The Invincibles (football)
In English football, "The Invincibles" has been used to refer to either the Preston North End team of the 1880s, or the Arsenal team of the 2003–04 season...
" of Preston North End. A "Champion of the World" sign was proudly displayed on the pavilion at Tontine Park. They were ahead of their time in training for stamina and strength. Their weapon was Renton's own famous "chicken bree", the ingredients never disclosed but it was probably port wine switched with a couple of eggs administered daily.
Quoiting was a popular sport amongst the male villagers. Quoiting greens were found in Renton, Alexandria, Hardgate and many Ayrshire villages. Quoits were heavy iron rings, rounded on one side, flat on the other and weighed 8-12 pounds but could be up to 23 pounds. They were hurled at a steel pin driven into a three-foot square clay bed, with the common length of the green being 22 yards. Renton were Scottish Champions in 1949 and 1986. There is a photograph of the victorious 1949 team in Renton Railway Station.