Throughout the 18th and 19th century, blonde sandstone was quarried in and around Glasgow, with the majority of the local sandstone used coming from Bishopbriggs and Giffnock quarries pre-1890. After the railway network had been established in Glasgow and across Scotland in 1890 it suddenly became a lot easier (and cheaper) to bring in sandstone from outside the city. The red sandstone you can see around Glasgow was quarried from Dumfries and Ayrshire and was used in construction of new buildings around the city from the beginning of the 20th century.Throughout the 18th and 19th century, blonde sandstone was quarried in and around Glasgow, with the majority of the local sandstone used coming from Bishopbriggs and Giffnock quarries pre-1890. After the railway network had been established in Glasgow and across Scotland in 1890 it suddenly became a lot easier (and cheaper) to bring in sandstone from outside the city. The red sandstone you can see around Glasgow was quarried from Dumfries and Ayrshire and was used in construction of new buildings around the city from the beginning of the 20th century.
Throughout the 18th and 19th century, blonde sandstone was quarried in and around Glasgow, with the majority of the local sandstone used coming from Bishopbriggs and Giffnock quarries pre-1890. After the railway network had been established in Glasgow and across Scotland in 1890 it suddenly became a lot easier (and cheaper) to bring in sandstone from outside the city. The red sandstone you can see around Glasgow was quarried from Dumfries and Ayrshire and was used in construction of new buildings around the city from the beginning of the 20th century. | Contributed

Did You Know?: 15 fascinating facts most Glaswegians don't know about Glasgow

Liam Smillie
By Liam Smillie

Digital Reporter

Published 13th Mar 2025, 15:15 BST

Here’s 15 facts we’re sure you never knew about Glasgow

Glasgow is a wonderful city - but it doesn’t reveal all its secrets easily, there are many old artefacts around the city that are puzzling to outsiders and Glaswegians alike, today we wanted to share some of the most interesting, little known facts about Glasgow.

From old remnants of Glasgow in a previous era to the reasoning behind our architectural heritage, take a look below as we explore some Glaswegian trivia.

These are all true verified facts but if you’re a bit more interested in the fictional world of Glasgow, check out our article: 15 urban legends in Glasgow that every Glaswegian should know.

How many did you know already? Do you know anything else most people don’t about the city? Let us know in the comments.

A number of old side streets in some of the oldest parts of the city retain these 'metal kerbs' - they were used to protect the pavement from iron-rimmed cart wheels which would often cause damage during deliveries to businesses in the narrow lanes between city blocks.

13. Why there are metal kerbs in Glasgow

A number of old side streets in some of the oldest parts of the city retain these 'metal kerbs' - they were used to protect the pavement from iron-rimmed cart wheels which would often cause damage during deliveries to businesses in the narrow lanes between city blocks. | Contributed

If you look up around the city centre, or the main streets of districts like Partick and Dennistoun, you can often see these ornamental Victorian metal brackets. Often mistaken for old light brackets, these little hooks were tram wire rosettes, used to support the vast network of tram lines that cris-crossed the canopy of the city back in the day.

14. Remnants of the Glasgow tram system

If you look up around the city centre, or the main streets of districts like Partick and Dennistoun, you can often see these ornamental Victorian metal brackets. Often mistaken for old light brackets, these little hooks were tram wire rosettes, used to support the vast network of tram lines that cris-crossed the canopy of the city back in the day. | Contrib uted

The old St Enoch Railway Station clock is currently in the Atonine Centre in Cumbernauld. The clock was originally found over the west end arch of the station’s train shed, that is, its overall roof, overlooking the crowded concourse as trains came and went.

15. The last part of the St Enoch Railway Station clock

The old St Enoch Railway Station clock is currently in the Atonine Centre in Cumbernauld. The clock was originally found over the west end arch of the station’s train shed, that is, its overall roof, overlooking the crowded concourse as trains came and went. | Contributed

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