Scotstoun


Glasgow City

Located to the north of the River Clyde, northwest of Glasgow City Centre and to the south of Jordanhill, Scotstoun was, from 1751 until the later 19th C., the site of the Oswald family estate, which was centred around Scotstoun House. Prior to that it was the property of the Montgomerie family who sold it in 1634 to John Hutchison, Notary and Town Clerk of Glasgow. The Hutchisons sold the estate to William Walkinshaw, who built Scotstoun House in the early 18th C. By 1861, the westward march of the shipbuilding yards had reached Scotstoun with the opening of Charles Connell's Scotstoun Yard. This led to the break-up of the Oswald's estate, as portions were sold off for housing, to create a park (Victoria Park) and for further industrial development (iron, engineering and shipbuilding) along the river.

Having been established in Biggar in 1899, Albion Motors opened a purpose-built factory in Scotstoun in 1903 initially to build cars but later specialised in lorries and buses. The company made shells are well as vehicles during the First World War. Albion became part of British Leyland and vehicle production continued until 1980. Component manufacturing continued, and after the collapse of Leyland-DAF in 1993, the factory continued as Albion Automotive which makes axles and drive systems on part of the original site. Charles Connell became part of the ill-fated Upper Clyde Shipbuilders in 1968, and then Govan Shipbuilders until it closed in 1980. Yarrow Shipbuilders came to Scotstoun from London in 1906, specialising in warships. This yard too became part of Upper Clyde Shipbuilders, was nationalised in 1977 but had a more successful future as part of BAE Systems, now operating alongside their other shipyard in Govan.

The southern part of Scotstoun is characterised by late 19th / early 20th Century tenements, whilst to the north it is mostly one and two storey housing from the same period, many featuring half-timbered gables. Scotstoun Primary School (1905) lies in the northeast of the area, close to the extensive Scotstoun Sports Campus. Scotstoun West Parish Church was built in 1905 on the corner of Queen Victoria Drive and Dumbarton Road but burned to the ground in 1997 and was subsequently replaced by flats. Scotstoun East Church which was built in 1906. Victoria Park Goods Station closed in the 1950s and the site is now occupied by a park and walkway. The Clydeside Expressway was built through the area in 1969.


Use the tabs on the right of this page to see other parts of this entry arrow

If you have found this information useful please consider making
a donation to help maintain and improve this resource. More info...

By using our site you agree to accept cookies, which help us serve you better