tokerclan
good quality food enjoyed by fussy eaters ,comfortable surroundings and good atmosphere.Suitable for couples, families and larger parties.
urbanshadow777
Ok so I gave all the categorys a 5 out of 5 but gave the overall a 1. Why I hear you ask? Well let me tell you. This to me is a monument of just how under appreciated Glasgow and Clydebank really are. This lonely relic in rundown scrub land in the middle of nowhere is one of the most under appreciated wonders of the UK and deserves better than simply being a tall platform for viewing the landscape from. The area in which it stands was monumental to winning the war for Britain. You hear heroic stories of the battle of the hood, the spitfire dog fights in the battle of Britain and the heroic men who marched into battle and died for democracy and freedom, what you dont hear is how many men gave their life at John Brown's ship yard building the ships or how we made the components of those spitfire engines or even how all those men got their uniforms from the equipment at singers sewing factory. We hear of the blitz in London but we never hear how Clydebank was bombed in an attempt by the Nazis to cripple the British supply lines, an act which killed many civilians and reduced Clydebank to rubble. There should be more at the location than a small plaque and a crane, there should be a museum and a memorial garden to remember those who gave their lifes for freedom for all in the UK and it should serve as a reminder that the people of Glasgow can be an industrious asset when given the right opportunity rather than us always being labeled a drain on resources and scroungers. But I suppose the story of the crane is also the story of Glasgow, used when needed but forgotten and left to decay, our history sold for scrap when wesminster need a buck or two.
ColinH192
As and engineer I was quite excited to be visiting one of the 'titan' cranes and picked a good day for the visit.The ticket office is about 1/2 a mile form the crane and a regular minibus shuttle (every 15 minutes) takes you to the crane itself. On board the mini bus a a recorded introduction to the crane and the area - a short stop is taken where the old slipway juts out into the Clyde and toward the Cart river. The information was quite good and made the short journey interesting.At the crane itself there is the normal health & safety warning and advise to those who may fear heights. The floor of the crane is open mesh grate so looking down could give some quite a panic attack, however you can always retire to the machine room where the floor and walls are solid.There was plenty of information about the regeneration of the old John Brown shipyards and Clydebank but little about the engineering of the crane itself (other than to say being electric it could be operated by one person and lift a magnificent load). Asd an engineer I was looking forward to seeing the working sof it - however must of this is covered over by the flooring and fencing. The machine room still has the massive drums for hoist and trolley but the wires are actually re-routed to make it safe for visitor so you have to imagine how it would look in action. The Main Trolley itself is not accessible and is behind a fence mid way along the crane deck. There was no information on how it operated or the fact that there was an auxiliary trolley & lift winch below the main deck.As to views these are good if interupted by the requirements for health & safety yet again! - A 2 meter high wire mesh fence (presumably to stop jumpers!). I was lucky that my camera lens, if very carefully positioned could just take shots through the holes in the mesh. I thus got some great shots of the Erskine Bridge, BEA Systems Shipbuilder (Yoker), the Airport, and another Titan Crane up the Clyde at Whiteinch.
AlexBennett
What a great visit to learn about the heritage of shipbuilding on the Clyde. The is the last rem ant of a once massive industry and its restoration and now public access makes it a must see attraction. The views are fantastic and not sure if all the bungee jumpers appreciate the view as they plunge head first off the crane!!! Worth the visit.
MartinS223
Been here on a misty Saturday morning,hoping the Visit wasn't too disappointing.It takes a short Busride from the Ticket-Office,during which a few Facts about the Crane are given by CD.Sandra,a lovely Member of Staff,provided me with more Information and took me to the Top of the Titan.After a while it cleared up and the View from the Crane was marvellous,Binoculars are provided,with two for Wheelchairusers.Walking on Top is safe,but the Floor is made of Steel Mesh,so you can see through it.If you feel dizzy,the Wheel House has no Mesh,and it is a Shelter as well if it starts raining.The Time of Visit isn't limited,and you can go up and down as often as you like.You can also do Bungee-Jumping,if you feel to do so.Not my Cup of Tea ;-) I don't know how much it is though.One can easily spend two hours at the Titan,especially when there are a few Jumpers to watch,while having a Tea and a Cake at the Cafe.I would definately recommend the Crane,but Opening Times are only Saturday and Sunday.Still worth a Visit,Admission only 4,95.
krisGlasgow
Great way to see the huge impact Scottish shipbuilding had on the World. The view from the top of the crane was brilliant and everything is very well done and laid out, from buying your ticket, the minibus and the the staff were all so interesting and accommodating.
SallyO345
My son and I visited the Titan Crane on 30.08.2014 slightly overcast and breezy. No problem finding the office where we were taken by minibus to the Titan listening to a pre-recorded brief. Nice, clean grounds and the choice of taking the bus back or walking. We were met off the bus and given a talk about the history of the Titan (all covered by prev. reviewers), then went to the top via lift and our guide gave us more information and was willing to answer any questions we had. All of the staff we spoke to during our visit were very pleasant.The construction of this magnificent crane and the weight it could lift when in use is incredible. We had to wonder at how men could work on the Titan all year round in all weathers. We would have liked to have been able to walk the full length of the jib but that is not allowed other than for the bungee jumping. On a sunny day the views from the top would be stunning but even on a dull day you can see for miles in any direction.Afterwards we had some tea and spoke briefly to a chap who had worked there which made things even nicer. We stayed a bit longer to watch a couple of girls make bungee jumps which was pretty good although I wanted to see guys jump and hear them scream like girls :)The Titan crane is definitely worth a visit. One I hope to make again one day.
DSB-Ecosse
The Titan Crane is located on the banks of the River Clyde on the site of what was John Brown's shipyard, where the famous "Queens" were built and is now the home of Clydebank College. There is a Visitor Centre where there you can watch a short video, see plans, photos and models and get a coffee and a snack. Free to visit - about £5 to take the trip to the top by lift and the upper platform is enclosed in mesh. The views from the top are brilliant, even on a dull day and the helpful and knowledgeable staff make the visit very enjoyable. This is not just about shipbuilding, but the history of the local area including things like the devastating Clydebank Blitz during World War 2. Very good value and not on the main tourist trail. Check opening times as they are limited. If you are feeling brave (or just plain daft) you can arrange a bungee jump off the top ....
tonyp132
Decided to do this on the way back from the Commonwealth Games. It was just a shame we chose such a dull day as the view from the top of the crane on a clear day must be brilliant. Not the easiest place to find as it's quite well signposted on the way out of Glasgow but the signs are hidden if you're travelling the other way. It is confusing as you work your way through the office blocks in the Business Park, passed all the bungee jumping signs, until you eventually find the ticket office tucked away in the corner quite a long way from the crane itself, which they take you to in a minibus. The trip in the minibus also includes a recorded commentary and the driver slowed down or stopped at various points along the route so we could get a better look at what was being described. We were surprised at how cheap it was, just £3.95 each for concessions. At the crane we were met by one of the guides, who was very pleasant and chatty but didn't have a great deal of technical knowledge about the crane but simply told us about when it was in use, the ships it was used on and when it was restored. In fact the lady in the Ticket Office seemed to have a much better knowledge than the actual guides. There is a small display in the Visitor Centre at the foot of the crane and they show a video of the history of Glasgow and its shipyards. It pays to spend some time watching the video first as you can then relate it to what you see from the top of the crane.Not for everyone if you don't like heights or being quite exposed at height. You are surrounded by full height steel mesh barriers but the floor is also steel mesh, so you also get a clear view of the ground underneath. Despite the weather a fascinating look into part of Glasgow's history. It seems such a shame that they have had to resort to commercialising this to the extent of offering bungee jumping to make it pay its way. Really takes away some of the glory and majesty from such a piece of engineering history.
Jack428
Don't miss the Titan Crane It is huge part of Clydebank History on the River Clyde where the QE2 and Queen Mary were built
YorkshireLass
What a great view from the top of the Titan crane, all that remains of John Browns famous shipyard which built the Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth and QE2, as well as the battleship HMS Hood. The staff (probably all volunteers) are helpful and friendly. Our guide Gordon was a mine of information and so enthusiastic, he had worked for the company that built the crane. We were one of the first groups of the day at 10am, which was excellent timing as the wonderful old paddle steamer Waverley, came past at 10.30! Although only open at weekends this is a great attraction for anyone interesting in recent history.
sander_bastiaan
The crane is a grand old powerhouse of days gone by. I really enjoyed going up and see it from a crane operators point of view. Walking the jib is an absolute thrill, but judging by the faces of some, maybe not for everyone. Respect to its builders and operators. The small exhibition below gives you an impression of the achievements of the crane and the yard. It is obvious that this crane would not exist anymore if it did not have the commercial use for abseilers and bungee jumpers. Although very brave, it does take a chip of the glamour away from the crane. All together good for an hour or two family fun but maybe not with infants, or for less physically able elderly. Also possibly not the best choice on a cold and or windy day. Keep a sharp lookout for the road signs if looking for the crane. It is easy to miss one and see different parts of Clydebank than intended. Service is good and friendly but is it worth the price if I were not very much into shipbuilding history?
Johnboysupergolf
Me and the mrs paid a visit to the titan crane today. Firstly the signage leading to the crane was very poor and the layout of the area confusing. Eventually after going around in circles for 10 minutes we came across a small office the size of a portakabin. This was the ticket office, and what actually happens is that you need to park your car here, purchase your tickets and they send a bus around to get you. On the 5 minute bus journey they play a cd which gives you a quick talk about the crane and the shipyard. Once you reach the crane you are met by a guide who tells you about men who built the crane then you go up the lift to the top. Most disappointing, there are a few information boards which tell you about the crane when it was built etc,. The information is sparse to say the least. I have no idea how the crane actually works although there are still some remains of its workings. The views are excellent and there are free binoculars. All in all I see no reason to stay at the top for more than 10 mins. Back down below there is a tiny visitor centre which was full of folk who were getting prepped for a bungee jump. It was difficult to move around this small room and read the information boards about the great ships that were built at the yard. Also on offer are some models of said ship, if you can squeeze by to look at them. The gents toilet was not working and a sign said to use the disabled toilet. Where it's location is I don't know.All in all it was a worthwhile visit and cheap at £4.95. Be prepared for a quick visit.
DownhillOnly
Having had one bit of shipbuilding nostalgia in the morning at the Denny shipbuilding testing tank at Dumbarton (a hidden gem, which I've also given 5*s on TripAdvisor), we headed for another, similar attraction at Clydebank: the Titan Crane. If you like heavy metal, and the rich history that goes with places like this (this is where the various Queen liners were built, as well as HMS Hood and the Lusitania), then I can think of nothing better. Places like this have, for me, a far richer story to tell than those you find in palaces and stately homes. The guides were incredibly helpful and friendly, and it's also very good value. If, like me, you're not brilliant with heights, then don't worry: you're totally enclosed by high fencing at the top. It's not totally comfortable for the vertigo-sufferer because you can see through the steel grating underfoot (though that is close mesh, so again safe), but being at height is part of the experience, and it's easy enough just to look straight ahead, not down. Great views, by the way, revealing much of the story of the John Brown yard, and the wartime bombing of Clydebank that left only seven houses untouched. A bit of a one-off, then, made doubly exceptional by the enthusiasm of the staff.
LovetotravelLA92
We ate here for my friends 21st at the weekend. We had never aye here before but we were a little weary due to some reviews I read on here. The staff managed to seat all 22 of us together which was impressive considering it was a little cramped already. I think what made it easier for us all was that we just went to the bar and ordered and paid for our own meals instead of splitting a huge bill between us and paying potentially more for things other people had. When we ordered our meal we were told it would be roughly a 45min wait but we were ok with that considering how busy it was. Low and behold, after only 20mins our meals arrived. I had the smaller portion of the New York Chicken with baby new potatoes and my fiance had the Chicken and Ribs combo. We both demolished the lot. The food was your typical pub grub but it really hit the spot. Everything on the menu was reasonably priced too and there was something for everyone on there. There was a lot to choose from. The entertainment was a local girl that I know who was singing and whether the atmosphere was caused by our party of 22 up singing and dancing I don't know but I sure know we all had a great night and we'll definitely be returning.