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16 Bridges of Glasgow Blog

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The challenge starts by crossing the Millennium Bridge, opened in 2002, and then the nearby Bell's Bridge which was built in 1988 to coincide with the Garden Festival (see below). It is so named because it was sponsored by Bell's whisky company. Right by the start, on the south bank, is the Glasgow Science Centre and adjoining IMAX cinema, both built in 2001. Next to the centre is the Tower, which at 127m is the tallest structure in the city. It was also built in 2001. Sadly it is often closed. The centre, together with the nearby BBC Scotland building (2006) and Scottish Television building (2007) are built on the site of the old Prince's Dock which was the largest dock on the River Clyde when it opened in 1900. The site was also used for the Glasgow Garden Festival in 1988. This event had 4.3m visitors over 152 days.  The area is now known as Pacific Quay. On the north bank is the SEC centre, Scotland's largest exhibition centre. Opened in 1985, it is built on the s...
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South Hills Blog (complete)

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The history of places you pass on the Hills of the South Challenge. ( Canmore checked )  As you leave Queens Park, you go past the Langside estate on Langside Avenue, part of which is shown in this photo: Built in the 1970s, the estate was once the largest co-ownership development in Europe. The first block in the estate was Tantallon Tower: The estate was built on the site of a row of villas, one of which - Holmwood (82 Langside Avenue) - was home to Charles Rennie Mackintosh's father in the 1890s. Charles himself lived there 1892-5. You then go onto Deanston Drive, here's an aerial view (Tantallon to left, Deanston to right): On the right as you enter Deanston Drive is St Helens Catholic Church. (1897, John Bennie Wilson). On your way from Checkpoint 1 to 2, you will probably choose to go through Cathcart Cemetery : Amongst those buried here are the suffragette Henria Leech Williams and Margaret Jefferson, actress and mother of Stan Laurel, who lived in Glasgow as a boy.  H...
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West Hills blog (complete)

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HILLS OF THE WEST As you go out of Queens Park, you may pass Camphill House, built in 1806 as a private house, later a Museum of Costume and now flats: Then just outside the park is Langside Hall. This building was originally a branch of the National Bank of Scotland in Glasgow City Centre. Built 1847 and remodelled by James Salmon in 1856, it was dismantled and rebuilt in its present location in 1901. Currently derelict. A fountain, made in the Saracen Foundry, which once stood outside the Halls is now just outside Glasgow Green: Also overlooking the park is Camphill Gate on Pollokshaws Road. This 5 storey tenement was designed in the Glasgow Style by John Nisbet in 1905. It had major repairs in 2022-3. Then, depending very much on your route choice you may pass Nos 1-10 Moray Place, designed by Alexander Greek Thomson in 1859. It is arguably the finest 19th century terrace in the city. Bellahouston Park was bought  by Glasgow Corporation in 1895, and opened as a public...
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