Glasgow’s oldest streets, what are the origins of Glasgow’s medieval streets, where are they, how close are they to their original layout, and how much have they changed? In this article we aim to answer all of these questions and more.
Up until 1750 there were only thirteen streets in Glasgow, the thirteen streets are explained in detail in the picture gallery at the bottom of the page. In the present day there are well over two thousand streets in our fair city.
Our city was built around Glasgow Cathedral, founded by none other than St. Mungo himself, it’s believed Glasgow began life as ‘Glaschu’ or ‘the dear green place’ - in the sixth century.
Little is known about this time, our understanding of Glasgow’s history only truly begins in full with the introduction of mercantilism which would eventually become the tobacco trade that would begin Glasgow’s ascension into a pivotal British city, laying the groundwork for the ensuing rise of the industrial revolution and the introduction of shipbuilding as the main trade along the River Clyde.
It was the meticulous notes and recordings of the literate merchant class that help us better understand the history of Glasgow at the time - as prior to this there was very little writing of the history, heritage, or even trade of Glasgow prior to the medieval mercantile period.
Glasgow as a religous centre upon the Clyde drew in pilgrims, but there wasn’t much else of note in the Glasgow colony other than the massive cathedral.
It’s hard to imagine what Glasgow could have looked like so long ago - it would have been a much darker, much smaller place. The streets were lit for the first time with limited oil lamps in 1717, with gas lamps introduced 101 years later in 1818.
Most of these streets you can still walk down today in one way or another, although it’s difficult to tell given generation upon generation of modernisation work on the roads around the east end. This is why today we wanted to expand upon ancient Glasgow history, and tell the story of the roads that lay down the foundation of Glasgow as a whole.
Take a journey with us through time, as we take travel down the 13 original oldest Glasgow roads and share their history.
5. Stockwell Street(Ancient)
Stockwell Street derives the name from a well which stood on the east side, about half way down the street, and was wrought with the old-fashioned wood stock, which vanished with the introduction of the iron lever. This street was utilised as an impromptu market prior the opening of the market in Graham Square. | Google Maps
6. Trongate Street (Ancient)
Trongate Street was at first known as Saint Thanew’s Gate, but the name was changed on the introduction of the Tron weighing establishment on the original Glasgow tolbooth and administrative centre. | other
7. Bridgegate Street (1100)
Bridgegate Street, opened in 1100, before the construction of the bridge over the river. Originally it was known as the Fishergate from the fact that the fishers and fish dealers had incorporated themselves into a society and had built the greater part of it. | Contributed
8. King Street (Ancient)
King Street (City) and King Street (Calton) were both called New Street till early in last century. It used to be home to a famous pottery shop owned by a Mr. Bengal, a catholic Frenchman, whose shop was ransacked and destroyed in an early example of sectarianism in 1780. | Google Maps