Founded by Sir James Colquhoun and named after his wife, Lady Helen, Helensburgh is Argyll and Bute’s largest town. Situated on the north shore of the River Clyde opposite Greenock, Helensburgh provides beautiful views of the estuary and beyond
Helensburgh registration office covers the areas of Arrochar, Shandon, Luss, Cove, Rhu, Cardross, Colgrain, Ardgartan, Kilcreggan, Rosenath, Helensburgh and a large area of Loch Lomond.
Address: Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre, 38 East Clyde Street, Helensburgh G84 7PG
Tel: 01546 605521 (Option 3)
Email: Elaine.Crichton@argyll-bute.gov.uk
Our Registrars
Elaine Crichton – Registrar for Helensburgh
Started in Registration – October 2007
‘I have been a registrar in the Helensburgh and Lomond Area for many years and find it an absolutely wonderful job to do. Not only is it a privilege to be involved in one of thee most important days in a couples life’s it is also great fun to be part of the planning and the excitement in the build-up to the wedding and then watching as the couples dream ceremony comes to life knowing you’ve helped in some way to make that possible.’
Jane MacGregor – Assistant Registrar
Started in Registration – April 2014
“I have been a marriage officer for nearly 8 years, and I have loved every minute of it. We are so honoured to work in such a stunning area, with so many amazing venues. The best part for me is meeting couples, and getting to know them, so that I can help them plan their ceremony, ensuring they get the day they have always dreamed of. It is a privilege to be part of their special day”
Maria Brabender – Marriage Officer
Started in Registration – 2021
“I have worked for local authority for 15 years and within the past year have started to deliver my dream job in the service of Registration. I say to each couple I meet what a privilege it is to be a part of their special day, this is not just work jargon or smoozing, I genuinely mean it. Each and every single ceremony I do is personal to the couple, which is great because no 2 ceremonies are ever the same”
Testimonials
From the moment we first met Jane (and the other Helensburgh registrars) at our venue’s wedding open day, we were blown away with how down to earth and friendly they all are. We knew from the moment we met them, that we needed to have them for our wedding!
Jane could not have been more helpful throughout the full process, she was always on hand to assist with our questions and explained everything so easily, making it as stress-free as possible. She most importantly instilled that level of trust so early on, we just knew we were in the right hands.
Our ceremony was nothing short of perfect! Jane added everything we wanted and more to it and tailored it brilliantly to make it personal to us, even included our dog to be our ring bearer which meant the world to us. The ceremony had the perfect mix of personal, professionalism and humour to it, there was tears of happiness and laughter all around the room. You could just feel all the love around us, because of Jane’s beautiful words about us – it just captured us and our relationship to a T.
We received so many lovely comments about how amazing Jane was and how she delivered our ceremony from our guests.
We just want to thank you Jane, from the bottom of our hearts for helping make our wedding day beyond wonderful and making us feel so at ease the entire time.
We will forever be grateful for you and it was a real pleasure and privilege to have met you.
Gordon and Taylor – Sept 2023 – Loch Lomond Arms
“From the initial call to check that I had sent the correct documentation, to the meeting the day before the wedding Elaine could not have been more helpful.
She was warm and welcoming and made both me and my now husband feel at ease and fully informed of what to expect for our big day. She had really helpful suggestions of unique extras we could add to our ceremony that really made a difference.
On the day Elaine was a calming and readying presence and helped make sure the ceremony flowed smoothly. She was engaging with the guests while making sure we felt like the only 2 people in the room.
We can’t recommend Elaine and Argyll and Bute registration services more.”
Adam and Leanne – March 2023 – Lodge on Loch Lomond
‘Myself and my husband were married on June 10th by Maria, Jane and Elaine.
Maria conducted the most part of the ceremony with Elaine and Jane taking part and making our day special, as a friend and colleague.
Maria wrote her own poem as part of the ceremony and it was incredible, so personal to us and we won’t forget it!
As this was extra special as we are all colleagues, they were equally as professional and many of our guests commented on how amazing the girls were – they gave us exactly what we had asked for. The best wee team about, thank you girls.’
Hayden and Jade – June 2023 – The Rosslea Hall Hotel
Travelling to Helensburgh
By Road – 30 miles from Glasgow
By Rail – ScotRail
Entering Helensburgh from the top of Sinclair Street (A818) turn left at the third set of traffic lights – the venue is on the right hand side at the first set of traffic lights on East Clyde Street, which will take you into the car park. Alternatively, coming from the (A814) coast road, you will be on East Clyde Street, turn left at the first set of traffic lights and you’ll come straight into the car park. The town is served by regular trains to and from Glasgow as well as rail links to Oban, Fort William and beyond.
Many renowned architects, including Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson and Robert Wemyss, built magnificent houses in the area for wealthy Glasgow businessmen attracted to the area’s scenic ambience. Among the famous people associated with or born in Helensburgh are Henry Bell, Andrew Bonar Law, John Logie Baird, Deborah Kerr and Jack Buchanan.
Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre, formerly East Clyde Street School, was designed by architect Alexander Nisbet Paterson and constructed in 1903. The architectural quality and style of the school building reflects the prosperity of late Victorian Helensburgh. A recently completed transformation of this building where a large new modern extension was added, has provided Helensburgh and Lomond with stunning new Council offices combining old with new; retaining many original features which have been tastefully restored.
Helensburgh caters very well for its residents and visitors, with a large variety of shops, restaurants, coffee shops, a swimming pool, bowling greens, tennis courts and golf course. There are a number of centrally located hotels and guest houses. The well maintained grounds of Hermitage Park provide a beautiful backdrop for wedding photographs.
Helensburgh Registration Office
Helensburgh Marriage Rooms
The ceremony suite is located in the heart of the Civic Centre and contains everything you could wish for on your day. Able to hold 80 guests, it has beautiful flower arrangements, music system, permanent ceiling fairy lights, a separate entrance for the bridal party, a dressing room for the bride with an amazing Hollywood-style mirror with lights all round it and there is ample free parking for guests also. After the ceremony, the landscaped areas at the rear of the building overlooking the River Clyde provide a beautiful backdrop for photographs. The two original wrought iron Boys and Girls entrance arches have been erected within this area which have provided many couples with fun and quirky photograph opportunities.
