THE centenary of Balloch Park was marked this week as the council unveiled a special commemorative plaque.

Councillor Michelle McGinty uncovered the plaque at the Balloch Road entrance to the park to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its opening on July, 1, 1916.

Members of the public attended the event, despite the rain, to watch the plaque being unveiled for the first time.

The castle and park were originally a private estate dating back to the Medieval period, when Earls of Lennox lived there, and were bought by Glasgow City Council in 1915 before Dumbarton District Council took on a long-term lease of the site in 1980.

Over the years the popular park has played host to several events, including major gigs from Oasis and REM during the 1990s that attracted crowds of more than 80,000 people.

It has also received major investment, including a £2.5million Heritage Lottery funded restoration from 2005-2008 and the ongoing £1million project to renovate the 200-year-old castle, which is due to complete this Summer.