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Glasgow Gems

This page is about wee gems to be found around Glasgow.  Some of them are hidden, some of them ‘hidden’ in plain sight.  Things you might not notice, might never have seen, but to me, they are gems.

………..Don’t forget to look around you !!

Lets start off with two lovely buildings on London Road, opposite the new Morrisons hypermarket.  The one on the right was built in 1771, restored by SSHA in 1983 .    

The second, shown on the left, now ’Heilan Jessie’s’ pub, was built in 1780.  Both have harled stone facades and circular stair towers.

There is a plaque on the front with the dates.

Ever  noticed these windows at 63 Bath Street?  The offices were obviously once occupied by property factors and the stained glass is amazing - even when it needs a good clean!

The next building was pointed out to me by a friend.  I had never noticed it.  It is opposite the Buchanan Galleries steps and is the

Cleland Testimonial Building.

Best view is from the top of

the steps up to the Royal Concert

Hall.

The Martyrs School in Parson Street, Townhead is credited as being an early work of Charles Rennie Macintosh.  It is a lovely building in need of TLC.

Two other interesting buildings in the area, St. Mungos RC Church and St. Mungos Retreat.

Passing along Renfrew Street, I caught sight of a drinking fountain which had been placed in front of the Herald/STV media offices.  On closer investigation, it had been gifted to the people of Glasgow by William Annan, of Port Dundas.  It was designed by

                      and executed by

There is another, of different design, also gifted by William Annan, in front of The Lee Public House in Cathedral Street, Townhead.

William Annan was a publican and Wine and Spirits Merchant and obviously a philanthropist.

He died in 1915 and is buried in Sighthill Cemetery.

My thanks to Andy Carson for additional information.

See also:-

Photo by Andy Carson

One year, on Open Doors Day, we visited Blairtummock House, a ‘B’ listed building in Easterhouse.  It has been restored and refurbished beautifully for business use.  In the garden stands a pavilion which was originally the entrance porch to James Ewing’s  18th century townhouse, which was swept away by Queen Street Station !

The gates on the left caught my attention because of the Glasgow Coat of Arms on them.  They are in Osborne Street and another set is in Stockwell Street.

Quirky plaque in the Trongate featuring William Miller’s creation, Wee Willie Winkie. 

Above, a plaque in Trongate where James Watt had a workshop.