A POPULAR garage owner who made Port Glasgow his adopted home half-a-century ago has told of the thrill the unveiling a mural of his native Benbecula has given him.

Fergus Monk has given the artwork, one of many colourful pieces which now adorn the town, pride of place at his West Road premises. 

Fergus, 66, said: "It was great day, my brothers and sisters came along. It's a fantastic job, it took Jim five months working here in the garage to do it.

"It's about my early life growing up in Benbecula with my family, my mother and father and my brothers and sisters."

He commissioned local artist Jim Strachan to create the mural, which took five months to complete.

Greenock Telegraph: Fergus and his wife BettyFergus and his wife Betty (Image: Alex Craig)

Fergus says the artwork and improvements in an around his garage are all about taking pride in the Port and making it look the best it can.

He said: "I've lived in Port Glasgow for 50 years. I love the people here, they are fantastic.

"It's all about making the place nice for the people of Port Glasgow and Inverclyde and at the waterfront.

"I have spent tens of thousands of pounds on the cobbles at the front of the garage and on the building itself and the beautiful images on the side of the wall."

Fergus added: "Jim Strachan is a down-to-earth guy and is great for the community."


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Jim says the mural was a labour of love and he enjoyed every minute, despite the freezing temperatures during the winter.

He added: "It was a brilliant day, a ton of people turned up and it was well received.

"Fergus' family come up and enjoyed the painting and reminisced.

"We both gave a speech. This is the third mural I've done for Fergus. It was all about his life growing up in Benbecula.

"He's stayed in Port Glasgow for decades but his heart is in Benbecula. He and his wife Betty have a house up there.

"It was a real feel-good mural, although the garage was -4C for three weeks and I was wrapped in blankets with a paint brush sticking out."