Glasgow High Street

Historic Streets

Words by JOSEPHINE JAY

GLASGOW HIGH STREET

Once the artery of the city, Glasgow’s story can be told through its High Street, if you know where to look

Atrip to Glasgow without visiting the High Street is a wasted one. The High Street is Glasgow’s oldest and most signi cant street; it forms the main artery of the city and can easily trace its history back to medieval times.

It has played home to many signi cant gures in Glasgow’s history, such as the inventor James Watt, economist and philosopher Adam Smith, and poet Thomas Campbell.

Of cially consecrated in 1197, Glasgow Cathedral at the far end of the street (where it turns into Castle Street) is dedicated to Saint Kentigern – also known as Saint Mungo – the patron saint of the city, and is the oldest building still in use in Glasgow City.

Saint Mungo is best known for his four miracles, which are commemorated in the City of Glasgow’s Coat of Arms. The Bird represents a robin he brought back from the dead after being cruelly stoned by his classmates, the Tree represents a re he allegedly restarted with only a hazel switch, the Bell represents a bell he brought back from Rome, and the Fish represents a ring cast into the river by a jealous lover and found by Saint Mungo in the belly of a salmon.

Glasgow Cathedral played a major part in the development of the city, attracting commerce, pilgrims and visitors who eventually settled and contributed to the growth and prosperity of the area.

The original buildings of the University of Glasgow, gifted by Lord Hamilton in 1460, were initially located on the High Street. Indeed, after its opening, the university held some of its rst classes in the cathedral’s charter house.

In 1563, Mary, Queen of Scots granted additional land to the university, which allowed for growth and expansion. The original metal from the gateway and crest were re-purposed into the gatehouse of the

CLOCKWISE, FROM LEFT:

The Saint Mungo mural; the Glasgow Coat of Arms; Glasgow Cathedral

new university campus located on the other side of town when the lands were sold to the City Union Railway Company in 1863.

In 1297, The Battle of the Bell O’ The Brae occurred on the High Street during the First War of Scottish Independence. The Bell O’ the Brae is said to have taken its name from the tolling of the bell heard at funerals, translated into that ‘dreid bell.’

As legend tells it, Sir William Wallace and three hundred men, having ridden all the way from Ayr, stormed Glasgow Castle, ousting one thousand English soldiers with the odds firmly stacked against them. This battle occurred two months before Wallace’s stand at Stirling Bridge and was beneficial in raising morale and support for his cause.

In 1605, the Trades House was formed. The first meetings took place in an alms-house on the corner of the High Street as at that time, the electorate of the city was split into two main groups: the Merchants and the Craftsmen. The purpose of the Trades was to protect the 14 historic crafts of the city and settle disputes whilst fostering talent and dispensing charitable aid. The Trades House exist to this day, having migrated to Glassford Street.

In the 1730s, Daniel Burrell set up a dance studio on the High Street. As the city expanded, so had the tastes and demands of the elite. Dazzling balls and continental waltzes lit up the building and in 1750, the first postreformation theatrical performance was held here. This was not met with enthusiasm by all, however, and in 1754, an angry mob led by Methodist Preacher, George Whitfield descended upon the building and promptly levelled it. The economic boom of the Industrial Revolution saw the population of the city of Glasgow grow exponentially. Additionally, the Great Famine in Ireland coupled with religious persecution saw a large influx of migration to the area. As the city expanded, the importance of the High Street dwindled by comparison and the administrative functions of the city drifted westward to the area known as Merchant City.

By the mid-1800s, the High Street and surrounding area had fallen into disrepute and housed a variety of slums spread across the closes and wynds. Thomas Annan, a Scottish photographer, was asked to document the area before the city demolished the run-down areas. In total, he produced some 35 photographs of the area – recording the poverty and destitution of the street.

In the years since, more recent complaints concerning the upkeep of the High Street have surfaced as 2016 saw one local shopkeeper complain of raw sewage running through the tenements. One of the city’s oldest pubs, the Old College Bar was sadly demolished last June. It closed its doors for the last time shortly before the first lockdown and, unfortunately, structural damage caused by a fire necessitated demolition.

In the days since the Battle of the Bell O’ The Brae, and the balls of the 18th century, the High Street has settled down somewhat, but it remains a vital part of the city, though perhaps its days of battle and brimstone are best put behind it. S

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