RENTON, a village, in the parish of Cardross,
county of Dumbarton, 3 miles (N. byW.) from Dumbarton;
containing 2472 inhabitants. This is a considerable
and prosperous village, situated in the eastern
quarter of the parish, on the west bank of the Leven,
and on the high road from Dumbarton to Luss. It was
founded in 1782 by Mrs. Smollett, of Bonhill, and
named by her after a relative. Miss Renton, of Bridgend,
a suburb of Dumbarton. The population are chiefly
engaged in the bleachfields and other works of this large
manufacturing district; and at the Dalquhurn factory,
in the immediate neighbourhood, about 300 hands are
employed in calico printing and dyeing, particularly a
Turkey red in the latter branch, for which this establishment
is remarkable. The pure water and powerful
stream of the Leven are peculiarly adapted for the works
so extensively carried on here. In the village are places
of worship for dissenters, and a school erected by subscription
among the farmers. Dr. Smollett was born at
the old house of Dalquhurn, close by the village, on the
19th of March, 1721.