PASSIONATE ambassadors of Inverclyde are inviting visitors and locals alike to take a walk into the past.

Inverclyde Tourist Group are launching a new booklet which explores the town’s historic quarter.

The trail covers the oldest part of Greenock and includes Clyde Square — where public hangings once took place — and William Street, Greenock’s oldest thoroughfare and birthplace of James Watt.

There are also references to the Blitz, shipbuilding, migration and immigration.

Lorna McKinley, of the tourist group, who has worked on the booklet, said: “This is a new walking tour of Greenock’s historic quarter.

“The area includes Clyde Square, Cathcart Street and the Custom House and Central Station.

“It is the oldest area of Greenock and the commercial heart of the town.”

The idea for the booklet came from tourist group member Eleanor Robertson.

Anne McGregor, secretary of the group, said they led such a walk back in 2015 for the Galoshans Festival and once again last year, after other walks in previous years for Doors Open Days.

The tours proved so popular they were oversubscribed.

Anne said: “We have archive photos in the booklet looking at the area in the past from 100 years ago and photos of what it looks like today.

“People can do the walk in an hour and it’s not testing.”

The group hope it will be another bumper year once the cruise ships season starts soon.

Anne says many passengers enjoy the free Inverclyde tours, which includes Newark Castle in Port Glasgow and highlights of Greenock and Gourock.

She said: “We want to show visitors what’s really good about Greenock.

“There’s a lot to see here.”

l The booklet will be launched at Inverclyde Heritage Hub on Friday March 23 at 2.30pm in Inverclyde Heritage Hub by Provost Martin Brennan.