Edit Shawland's past
in the 18th Century Shawlands was completely undeveloped, except for a solitary cottage at the Cross (the meeting place of Pollokshaws Road and Kilmarnock Road, and not as is sometimes assumed, the junction of Langside Avenue/Minard Road and Pollokshaws Road).
This would change dramatically within the next century.
Today, housing in the Shawlands area consists mainly of tenement flats and two-storey terraced cottages along with a small number of detached and semi-detached houses.
The area has seen a gradual gentrification over the past 20 years, leading some to dub it "the new West End".
South of Shawlands had traditionally been designated, Dry Areas, where pubs and alcohol have been forbidden, so people have traditionally come from miles around to shop, work and have a night-out in Shawlands.
On Tantallon Road, there is what was once the largest co-ownership developments in Europe - flats and garages set in manicured gardens, built in the 1970s.
There are 1920s semi-detached houses, 1890s semi-detached villas, terraced cottages, detached houses, council flats with verandas, and even some post-modern flats with elevators, curved glazed exteriors and penthouses.
There are bowling clubs and greens, Queen's Park which has allotments, a botanical garden glass house, public tennis courts, a public golf course, children's play areas, a boating pond, farmer's markets and a hill affording unrivalled views of the city.
Within walking distance are The Tramway theatre (and The Hidden Gardens), Pollok Park, Burrell Collection; the Victoria Infirmary; Hampden Park; Newlandsfield Park, home of Pollok F.C.; and Alexander Skirving's Battlefield Monument, erected to commemorate the 1568 Battle of Langside.
Is Queen's Park bigger than Pollok Park?
I very much doubt it, having jogged round Pollok Park earlier today.It strethches all the way from Haggs Road, round to Corkerhill Rd(Pollok) borders the M77 and follows the River Cart towards Paisley.
Was raised in Shawlands from 1947 until leaving 20 years later. Was disappointed some five years ago with what I thought was general degrading of the area with nightmare parking and what I consider almost claustrophobic atmosphere, probably as a result of thousands of cars parked on both sides of streets. The main shopping area (Kilmarnock Road) looks run-down and somewhat slummy.
I lived on Tantallon Road for 13 years in one of the prefabs at the Millbrae end where there are now apartments. For those who do not know about prefabs, these were small two-bedroom homes, each with its own front and back garden. They were built just after WWll as 5 year temporary accomodation for families with no homes. At the time many people were green with envy as the prefabs all came with fridges, wash boilers,water heaters, separate toilet and bathroom, airing cupboard and a coal shed. The 5 year term stretched to almost 13 before the tenants were re-housed so the apartments could be built. The prefabs backed onto the River Cart and on one or more occasions heavy rain caused the river level to rise to the top of the wall and on one occasion it overflowed at the bridge at Millbrae Road end and began coming down Tantallon Road. We had started stacking the furniture and rugs but fortunately the Clyde tide went out and the river level fell. As kids we had great play areas. At bottom of Holmbank Avenue we had the Bluebell Woods with a good sized flat area where we played soccer and cricket all year round. The woods ran all along the rear of the flats going to the Millbrae end and we played Cowboys and Indians, Hide and Seek and took picnics there in the summer and sometimes would build fires and roast potatoes. Across the road from our house there was a block of flats with some shops. At both ends of that building was were walled grounds of a convent and we would often see the nuns walking on the road. Being kids we would often climb the walls to get to the apple trees and some of the vegitables the nuns' grew in their garden. Of course, in those days, no TV, video games or iPODS. I'm sure many areas wish there were such facilities available today to their kids.
Very interested in the comments of Brian Davies. It brought back memories of my own childhood. I was born and brought up in Walton St and attended Langside School and then to Shawlands Accademy. Like Brian, a bunch of us played football and cricket at the bottom of the Blueys as we called them. I recall that there was one member of our group, Norman Mcmillan, who lived opposite the "cricket ground" who ended up in the US Army Airforce. Don't suppose anyone else remembers him? I haven't been back to the old stamping ground for nearly 30 years and I doubt if I ever will. When last there I thought that the general condition, not only Shawlands but Glasgow in general, was a bit of a mess. No doubt it is the same today.
Brian Davis's comments brings back some happy memories. I was born and brought up in Walton St. No 12 and attended Langside School then to Shawlands. My time at Langside was when Miss Mcmillan was the Head Mistress. All this took place during the WW2. Like Brian we played cricket and soccer at the bottom of the blueys and in the winter we used the slope as a sled run. Many a hard knock when you couldn't see the stumps in the bottom row of trees. I had cousins and aunts and uncles that lived in 437 and 445 Tantallon and on occasions when I visited would shoot across the road to catch tadpoles in the quiet back waters of the Cart. Happy memories . I seem to recall that one of the blokes that played cricket with us was Norman McCallum who lived in one of the tenements along side the prfabs. I think , if my memory serves me right, he moved to th USA and joined the US Airforce. Someone out there nay remember hi. I haven't been back to Shawlands for 30 years and I doubt I ever will and to be quite truthful about it, I don't think I would want to. The condition it was in 30 years ago and this includes Glasgow in total was disgusting to say the least the least. I came away with the distinct impression that the general population felt they were banging their heads against a brick wall. Things may very well have changed for the better during the last 30 years I certainly hope so.
A couple of corrections to the foregoing. Put it down to old age. The Head Mistress at Langside was Miss Cameron. and the the bloke that joined the Us Airforce was Norman McCallum, not McMillan. If there is any of the old gang reading this would suggest that you leave a message on this site. Best Regards
Hey you guys I went to Langside Primary and Shawlands Academy Anyone remember Miss McGillvery?
I also went to Langside Primary beginning in 1948 and from there to Shawlands Academy, as it was known in those days.
I also returned to Shawlands a few years ago and was most disappointed at the deterioration of the area.
Kilmarnock Road, in my days there, was a vibrant shopping area and now seemed very run down to me.
There was three movie houses and good quality shops, bakeries, pharmacies etc.
When I returned a few years ago the shops were tacky and parking was nightmarish to say the least.
When/if I next return I think I'll give the nostalgic trip a pass.
I used to go to Crossmyloof Ice rink every Saturday. Is it all gone now? This was back in the 1960's. What fun we had on Saturday mornings at the ice rink. If we could afford it, we'd even go back for more on Saturday night. Hazel McKenzie Ventura, California USA mackenzie1281@roadrunner.com
Moira Morgan, North Aberdeenshire. I was a pupil at Langside Primary from 1955 until 1961 after which I went to Shawlands Academy. We lived on the second floor of 33 Skirving Street. In Primary my favourite teacher was Miss White whom I adored and Yes! I do remember Miss McGillvrey. I regularly visit Glasgow to see a friend and we always go to Shawlands from the other side of the river and always have coffee and Deli 1901. Parking is obviously a nightmare nowadays. When I was a child I think there would have been 6 cars parked in the top half of Skirving Street only. I was a skater at Crossmyloof Ice Rink and took piano lessons from Miss Netta Manson in Norham Street. Anyone remember her?