Towns and suburbs

Glencairn

History of Glencairn

Scottish residents likely named Glencairn after an area in North Scotland. It is located about 4 km north of Simon’s Town, Glencairn sits in the Els River valley, home to a wetland reserve. An early map from 1870 shows the river, originally called Elze, possibly derived from “Esselstein’s River.” Fishermen have trekked the beach for many years.

Christoffel Brand farmed vegetables along the Elsje’s River, while a tannery operated in Elsje’s Baai. The area also hosted other farms, including Hartenbosch, now known as Da Gama, and Brooklands, further up the valley. Welcome Farm featured a mill where local farmers brought their grain for grinding.

The Cape Glass Factory, established in Glencairn in 1902, attempted to produce bottles entirely by machine but was unsuccessful. Although the factory was short-lived, excavations have uncovered intriguing remains from this early enterprise.

The postcode in Glencairn is 7975

WEATHER IN GLENCAIRN TODAY

see all listings in Glencairn

Things to see and do in Glencairn:

  • The Beach: Is popular for dog walking, windsurfing and kite-surfing
  • Glencairn Wetlands: These are protected and populated with Indigenous fauna and flora with great bird-watching opportunities
  • Whale Watching: In-season
  • Excellent hiking routes in the mountains
  • (Sacred site )Pyramid All-seeing Eye, This site embodies a fiery, male energy and looks oddly like the symbol on US dollar bills. dean@sunpath.co.za
  • At 3122 Glen Road in the valley on a slope in a natural fynbos area is a labyrinth with one-meter-wide paths and two-meter-wide borders of indigenous plants.  0834840294
  • Scuba Diving around the wreck of The Clan Stuart which ran aground in 1914.
  • –Glencairn Tidal Pool which was built in the 1920s

  • Useful numbers

  • Police: 021 786 8646
  • Traffic department: 021 786 8646
  • Fire: 0214003908
  • Water: 0860 103 089
  • Electricity: 0860 103 089
  • Ambulance: 10177
  • Post office; Fishhoek 021 782 2916
  • Closest hospital; False Bay Hospital-ER- 021 782 1121
  • SPCA: 021 700 4140
  • Schools: The closest schools are in Fishoek                                                                                                 

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