Glasgow was built around the Cathedral - making it one of, if not the first building to ever be built in what would become Glasgow. The cities Cathedral is described as ‘one of the finest buildings of the 1200s to survive in mainland Scotland.’ The building and extension of the cathedral took place over decades, with different renovations occuring in different centuries. Building fabric from Bishop Jocelin’s time (1174–99) is still standing. He is recorded as ‘gloriously enlarging’ his cathedral in 1181. Fragments from the previous cathedral have also been found.Glasgow was built around the Cathedral - making it one of, if not the first building to ever be built in what would become Glasgow. The cities Cathedral is described as ‘one of the finest buildings of the 1200s to survive in mainland Scotland.’ The building and extension of the cathedral took place over decades, with different renovations occuring in different centuries. Building fabric from Bishop Jocelin’s time (1174–99) is still standing. He is recorded as ‘gloriously enlarging’ his cathedral in 1181. Fragments from the previous cathedral have also been found.
Glasgow was built around the Cathedral - making it one of, if not the first building to ever be built in what would become Glasgow. The cities Cathedral is described as ‘one of the finest buildings of the 1200s to survive in mainland Scotland.’ The building and extension of the cathedral took place over decades, with different renovations occuring in different centuries. Building fabric from Bishop Jocelin’s time (1174–99) is still standing. He is recorded as ‘gloriously enlarging’ his cathedral in 1181. Fragments from the previous cathedral have also been found. | Contributed

Glasgow 850: The 14 oldest buildings still standing in Glasgow today in chronological order

Liam Smillie
By Liam Smillie

Digital Reporter

Published 25th Apr 2023, 13:31 GMT
Updated 8th Jan 2025, 11:45 GMT

In 13 pictures, here’s the history of Glasgow from its very first beginnings

When we think of Glaswegian history, we often think of our proud industrial heritage on the shipyards - sticking together massives hunks of steel and then shipping them out to sea.

But we’d be amiss to forget the older history of Glasgow, of the men and women who built the very foundations of the city around the River Clyde. From the Glasgow Cathedral to the University of Glasgow, these ancient old buildings tell a story that can still be seen in the structure of Glasgow today.

While you may pass by any one of these buildings everyday (many of them remain integral to the structure of the city to this day), you may not know the history of the buildings, and how much they contributed to building the city of Glasgow.

As Glasgow celebrates 850 years, take a journey with us through time, as we take a look at the oldest, most influential buildings still standing in Glasgow today.

The carved stone above the door records that Haggs was built in 1585 by Sir John Maxwell of Pollok and his wife Margaret Conyngham (Cunningham). It was built to replace the Maxwells’ former residence, the Laigh Castle, a 14th-century building which stood to the west. The richly decorated building was restored in the 19th century, and today is once more occupied as a residence.

5. Haggs Castle (1585)

The carved stone above the door records that Haggs was built in 1585 by Sir John Maxwell of Pollok and his wife Margaret Conyngham (Cunningham). It was built to replace the Maxwells’ former residence, the Laigh Castle, a 14th-century building which stood to the west. The richly decorated building was restored in the 19th century, and today is once more occupied as a residence. | Contributed

In 1592, the Town council repossessed the Church of St Mary, and built the Tron Kirk. It was to become Glasgow's second parish church after 1599. The origin of the church’s name, derives from it's closeness to the Tron or public weighing beam, and became known as the Tron Church or Laigh (Low) Church (as opposed to the High church which was the other name the cathedral).

6. Tron Kirk(1592)

In 1592, the Town council repossessed the Church of St Mary, and built the Tron Kirk. It was to become Glasgow's second parish church after 1599. The origin of the church’s name, derives from it's closeness to the Tron or public weighing beam, and became known as the Tron Church or Laigh (Low) Church (as opposed to the High church which was the other name the cathedral). | Glasgow City Council

All that remains of the old Tolbooth is it’s steeple, but before the old Tolbooth, there was an even older Tolbooth in the same location. In 1626, the new Tolbooth was built, it was a very impressive stone building five storeys high, with small windows, which looked onto the Trongate. The Tollbooth was not just used as an administrative centre but as a prison for those accused of crimes. The prisoners would have been led to their rooms by a narrow turnpike stair in the Tolbooth steeple. The seven story steeple, which survives today, would have stood at the east of the building.

7. Tolbooth Steeple(1626)

All that remains of the old Tolbooth is it’s steeple, but before the old Tolbooth, there was an even older Tolbooth in the same location. In 1626, the new Tolbooth was built, it was a very impressive stone building five storeys high, with small windows, which looked onto the Trongate. The Tollbooth was not just used as an administrative centre but as a prison for those accused of crimes. The prisoners would have been led to their rooms by a narrow turnpike stair in the Tolbooth steeple. The seven story steeple, which survives today, would have stood at the east of the building. | Contributed

The former Auldhouse Mansion, the oldest house in Glasgow's Southside, was built in 1631 to a simple design. It was extended and converted to flats in 1983. The original tower house was built by either George Maxwell of Auldhouse or his son John - the Maxwells of Pollok acquired the lands in the 15th century.

8. Auldhouse Mansion 1631

The former Auldhouse Mansion, the oldest house in Glasgow's Southside, was built in 1631 to a simple design. It was extended and converted to flats in 1983. The original tower house was built by either George Maxwell of Auldhouse or his son John - the Maxwells of Pollok acquired the lands in the 15th century. | Supplied

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