Renton expanded from 1770, a mixture of Glasgow textile workers following work; highlanders from Argyll needed in the new textile factories all year round, and later Irish immigrants. Exactly where “The Rantan” and “The Renton” got the pre-fix from, remains a mystery; perhaps any one of the above sources or none. Only since the building of Burnbrae and the Vale Academy has any physical blurring of the village boundaries taken place. It will always be “The Vale of Leven and Renton” to all who belong here. A term of endearment? A testament to bygone characters? A reputation for spirit, of bucking the trend, and challenging the system? The Renton is not an easy thing to understand, but then it’s never been an easy place to live and work. It has, however, produced figures of world renown – and is doing so again, and, as in the past, there are again people working together for the benefit of “The Renton”.

Renton takes its name from Cecilia Renton after whom the modern sandstone, ‘model’ village was named in 1762. Dalquhurn Bleachworks in 1715 and Cordale Printworks in 1770 were responsible for attracting new industrial workers. At the north of the village stood the Place of Bonhill, a residence from 1642, to the South was Dalquhurn House. Two parallel north-south streets, Main Street and Back Street were first joined by Station Street, Stirling Street, Burns Street, Thimble Street, Market Street and Red Row. In late Victorian times, the village extended southwards to Leven Street, Alexander Street and John Street. Further expansion occurred in the 1930’s as housing was built in the grounds of Cordale House. In the late 1950’s early 1960’s the majority of the sandstone properties in the village were demolished and replaced by Dumbarton County Council houses and flats.

Renton belonged to the parish of Cardross and until about 1850, members of the established church had to walk over Carman Hill on Sundays. The second church in the Vale after Bonhill Parish Church, was built in Renton in 1786 a secession church built for a sect known as the Associate Burghers. It was called Levenside Church or “Red Row Kirk” due to its cul-de-sac position at the end of Red Row. In 1845 Milburn Free Church was erected by James Campbell of Tullichewan. A Free Gaelic Church was built near the river, a little north of Leven Street in 1856 and reflects the number of highlanders working in the local print fields. After 40 years in a Mission Church on Main Street, Renton Trinity Church was opened in 1892. The last of the five churches in the village was St Martin’s, again reflecting the industrial demands for labour, this time from Ireland. St Martin’s was opened in 1899 and replaced with the current building in 1970.

There was a school in Renton from around 1797 but in 1827 a charity school was found giving 2,000 children the elements of a sound education. It was supported by subscriptions and donations. In 1833 the first two storey Public School was built on the site of the present Renton Primary School. In 1852 the Church of Scotland founded a Mission on Main Street together with a school for girls. A larger Renton School was built on the site of the old subscription school building, it in turn being replaced in the mid 1960’s by the current Renton Primary School. In 1962 a new Vale of Leven Academy was built at the Place of Bonhill with St Martin’s Primary School built a few years later. The schools were supplemented by a series of libraries, first in 1797, transferred to the school in 1844 and Victoria Institute in 1887. The latter was funded by William Stirling and Sons, PB Smollett and voluntary subscriptions.

Around 1918, Renton contained around seventy-four shops, seven pubs, six cafes, a cinema and a bank. In addition to these shops and others, there were also several branches of the Vale of Leven Co-operative Society including shops selling groceries, shoes, bread and dairy products.

Renton now only has one public house, but it is not without history and character. The Central Bar has retained its name since it was built in 1893, at that time part of the commercial centre of the village. In the 1930’s it was run by Archibald Macintyre and then by W Thomson in the early 50’s. Its interior has been the setting for film and television locations.