Barclay-Smith House

Welcome to our house

Set in the seaside town of Helensburgh, Barclay-Smith House was built in 1895 and was purpose built as four terraced town houses. Colonel Edward Alan Barclay-Smith donated to Abbeyfield in the 1960s and the funds were given to renovate homes for older people in the burgh. Abbeyfield was then able to purchase the two houses in between to provide independent living apartments. A third house was bought in 1994 and had extensive renovation work carried out including a large kitchen extension and the installation of a lift. Our house is widely acknowledged in Helensburgh therefore we have strong connections to the local community.

Helensburgh is a seaside town with the water front and town centre just a five minute walk from us. There is a bus stop right outside and two train stations in Helensburgh with regular services to Glasgow, Edinburgh and the Highlands. This delightful town is fortunate to have a large variety of coffee shops and award winning restaurants that are easily accessible to the house. We also have the world-famous Charles Rennie Mackintosh Hill House nearby and the latest Scottish Submarine Museum. If you enjoy some light exercise we also have a local swimming pool and gym within a short distance of the house.

Barclay-Smith House has nine rooms, consisting of double and single ensuite rooms, some of which have a small kitchen area. We have a lovely garden to the rear of the house that residents enjoy sitting in or having a stroll in the fresh air. There is a large bright communal lounge which is perfect for socialising with other residents or spending time with your visitors. This room also houses a piano which is available for anyone to use and is often the highlight of the evening when residents take to it to play a few tunes.

We have plenty going on at Barclay-Smith House, with a handmade card shop within the house and plenty of culinary evenings where you can enjoy themed food and entertainment. Trips out are organised monthly, which include trips to the local garden centres, coffee shops, antiques shops, historical buildings, wildlife sites and boat trips.

We have Rabbie Burns night in January with haggis, neeps and tatties and a Chinese New Year themed lunch in February. Other themed lunches include Hogmanay and New Year, St Patrick’s Day, St David’s Day and St Andrew’s Day. In June we have a summer barbeque in the garden with music and a strawberry tea in July. There is a buffet with folk music in September and a Halloween themed lunch in October. A Christmas party is organised in December with live music and lots of lovely food. Each resident enjoys a birthday lunch with a homemade birthday cake.

This house is managed by Abbeyfield Helensburgh Society.