It was built to facilitate the loading of boats and barges with whinstone excavated from the nearby Rashielee Quarries that was brought to the quay by a horse drawn wagonway.

This family held the lands until around 1670 when most of the estate was sold by Thomas Stewart to a wealthy Glasgow merchant, Donald Mac Gilchrist, who built the old North Barr House in 1676.

[9] The two long and narrow quarries utilised stone from two linear dikes (igneous intrusions) that run through area at least as far as the site of the old quay.

The quay was built to provide loading facilities for ships and punts collecting stone for use along the course of the River Clyde.

In 1857 track ran from both quarries towards the quay, dividing into several sidings and ending where a crane was located and a beacon together with several berths including a dock or basin.

Many barrage balloons existed in this part of the clyde to protect people, housing and industries against German aircraft.