Greenock

Greenock (Grianaig in Scottish Gaelic) is a town (burgh of barony) in the district of Inverclyde in Western Scotland. Its population was recorded as being 45,467 in the 2001 census, a decrease from about 78,000 in 1966. It lies on the South bank of the River Clyde in what was the traditional county of Renfrewshire.

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The history of the town's name is uncertain. It is generally accepted, however, that the town is named after the Gaelic word for 'sun', grian, either as grian-aig (sunny bay) or grian-cnoc (sunny hill). Some fancifully suppose the town's name comes from the words "Green Oak" (as in the folk song The Green Oak Tree). As local legend would have it the Scottish freedom fighter Sir William Wallace allegedly hid in one of these "Green Oak" trees whilst being pursued by English forces.

Burgh of barony: A burgh of barony is a type of Scottish town (burgh)....

Inverclyde: Inverclyde (Inbhir Chluaidh in Gaelic) is one of 32 unitary council regions in Scotland. It borders onto Renfrewshire and North Ayrshire. The council area is in the traditional county of Renfrewshire....

Scotland: :For other uses, see Scotland (disambiguation). See also British Isles (terminology)....