Old Photographs Of Bridgeton Glasgow Scotland

Tour Scotland wee video of old photographs of Bridgeton, Scottish Gaelic: Baile na Drochaid, a district to the east of Glasgow city centre. Historically part of Lanarkshire, it is bounded by Glasgow Green to the west, Dalmarnock to the east and south, Calton to the north west at Abercromby Street/London Road and Gallowgate to the north east. It started as a small weaving village in 1705, when the third John Walkinshaw marked out a portion of his Goosefauld estate for rent. However, not much interest was shown until 1775 when Rutherglen Bridge was built over the River Clyde and the area became known as Bridge Town, or Brig Toun in Scots. Bridgeton Cross is a major junction in the Bridgeton area in the East End of the city. The junction is the meeting point of London Road, Dalmarnock Road, Main Street, James Street, Olympia Street and Orr Street. The Cross is notable for the " Brigton Umbrella ", a Victorian cast iron structure covering the centre of the Cross. The Cross was renovated recently and has resulted in improved public realms and the complete refurbishment of the Umbrella. Bridgeton Cross is the location for Bridgeton railway station, which is on the Argyle Line connecting it to central Glasgow. The Cross is also the location for the Olympia Theatre, which after lying abandoned for many years has recently undergone rebuilding and will open as a community facility for the people of Bridgeton. Reverend William John Thomson, born in 1852 in Ireland, was Free Church minister of Bridgeton 1879 to 1882. The only known minister who lost his job for constant intoxication.

All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

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