BALCLUTHA Balclutha is the first of two ‘major’ towns south of Dunedin. Balclutha is nestled against the Clutha River that in itself is a formidable and generally fast flowing wide stretch of water. Balclutha is now once again a growing town that over recent decades has suffered against a strong Dunedin and a progressive Gore. The major service center for the fertile farming region around the lower reaches of the Clutha River, it is also the nearest large town to the Catlins, a scenic region of native forest, wildlife, and rugged coastline. James McNeil from Bonn Hill, Dumbartonshire, Scotland, who is regarded as the town's founding father, arrived in 1853 - via Port Chalmers, NZ in 1849. His farm was on the site of the present town. The most prominent structure in the town is the concrete Road Bridge across the river, which was built in 1935 after its predecessor, was washed away in a flood. Balclutha has a very good museum that gives the visitor a feel for history of the town’s people. The hotel has great presence, and the ‘out of town’ hotel is a motel and conference centre. The Balclutha War Memorial is located on the cbd fringe. The Balclutha churches and denominations are all represented. Balclutha is a town that deserves a good look in, not at least a walk across the bridge and a visit to the Museum.