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I arrived at this site yeaterday and found a query regarding an orpahnage in Kilmacolm.  Checking back today, I found another enquiry about Balrossie, so thought I would pass on what little I know to the world at large.



There were two quite distinct homes in the Kilmacolm/Bridge of Weir area.

Quarrier’s Village, Bridge of Weir - set between Bridge of Weir and Kilmacolm.

Before moving his orphans – both boys and girls -  to what became Quarrier’s Village, William Quarrier had homes in Glasgow. Quarrier looked for and bought land where the houses were purpose built purpose built.  Quarrier was not a rich man therefore all of this was achieved through faith and donations, and often each house was named after the source of the donation, eg. The Sunday School House.  There was also a laundry, shop, school, training ship and fire station as well as the Church, Mount Zion, at the centre of the Village.

The main reason for moving to the country was to get away from what Quarrier saw as one of the main causes of children becoming orphans – TB.  He set up a TB sanctuary on the edge of his Village, and later, a centre for epilepsy.

Quarriers is now a charity and has its headquarters in the village.  The children’s houses have mostly been sold off for private dwellings – some split into 2 or 3 homes while the school has been split into flats.  Quarriers have now decided to sell the church for redevelopment into flats: the residents of the village are opposing this.  Many new houses also have been built in the village.

Balrossie is set on the hills to the south west of Kilmacolm village.
Until about 15 - 20 years ago, it was a 'List D' school - approved home/prison for school aged boys.  I don’t know when it became a List D, but according to the Boys’ Brigade website, around the 30s it was a ‘training, camping and recreation centre'.

Earlier, I think that the children there were orphaned sons of sailors.

 www.inverclyde.gov.uk/Economic_Development/index.php?module=article&view=123 lists Balrossie as 'former orphanage and school' while www.inverclyde.gov.uk/documents/Planning/Kilmacolm.pdf shows a map of the location though sadly not a picture of the orphanage at Balrossie.  I am sure this is because after the List D school moved out, it has lain derelict though it in now up for sale.  It is also a grade B listed building.

I am sure in its past it was a private home as it does not have institution architecture and is build about a mile or so from the centre of the village and on a hill overlooking its surroundings.

The only photograph I know of Balrossie - the outdoor swimming pool - is in a book Photographs of Old Kilmacolm & Old Bridge of Weir - available on-line.  It also contains pictures from Quarrier’s Village.

For more information, I suggest you contact the Watt Library/McLean Museum in Greenock via www.inverclyde.gov.uk for more local history information.  However, I am now quite curious about the origins of Balrossie, so when I have time, will try to find out who owned it and when.  If I do, I'll update here

And now that I have woken up a bit, I seem to remember someone telling me that there was another home in Bridge of Weir which I believe was situated ot the western edge of BoW, on the BoW/Kilmacolm road.

But that is another story…


                                                 and I don't know it!

When William Quarrier moved his orphans to the counrtyside, there were both boys and girls.  The land was bought and then the houses purpose built as funds became available.  It is not likely therefore that the workhouse or orphanage listed is Quarrier's Homes which was - and still is - part of Bridge of Weir rather than Kilmacolm.
There was until about 15 - 20 years ago a 'List D' school - approved home/prison for school aged boys at Balrossie, on the south of the village.  When it became that, I don't know, but I have a feeling that previously it had been some sort of nautical training centre, and I think that the children were orphaned sons of sailors.  Will try to remember to check and get back to you.
Do you have any details of the location of the 'home'?