West Dunbartonshire sits on the north bank of the River Clyde, stretching north to the Kilpatrick Hills and including the southern shore of Loch Lomond. Major towns are Clydebank, Dumbarton, Alexandria and Balloch; the Vale of Leven lies between Loch Lomond and Dumbarton. Clydebank grew around shipbuilding and engineering — John Brown's shipyard constructed Atlantic liners on the Clyde and Singer operated a large sewing machine works. The council area combines urban centres along the river with hill and lochside landscapes to the north.
Dumbarton is dominated by the volcanic plug known as Dumbarton Rock, with a castle site overlooking the Clyde. Balloch sits at the southern tip of Loch Lomond and forms the park gateway where the River Leven leaves the loch. Old Kilpatrick sits close to the western terminus of the Antonine Wall and provides access to the Kilpatrick Hills. Rail and road links connect the towns to Glasgow while local routes follow the River Leven and the Clyde shoreline.
