1. exploring Britain’s oldest public space...
GLASGOW
GREEN
THE WINTER GARDENS
Renewal
In 1999 work started on one of the most ambitious
HISTORY AND RENEWAL
GLASGOW FAIR
renovation projects ever undertaken on a city park. The
Many of Glasgow’s sports clubs trace their origins to renewal of Glasgow Green has restored the city’s oldest
park as an attraction not only for Glasgow but for visitors
the Green. In 1850 Hugh MacDonald commented on the
from around the world.
‘healthful and exciting games’ including cricket, rounders,
football, shinty and golf which regularly featured on the Gifted to the people of Glasgow in the 15th century as
Green. He would also have observed the long tradition of common land and extended over the generations which
rowing on the Clyde which continues to the present day. followed, the Green has served as the city’s central park
Added to this rich mix now of course are major open air and meeting place for centuries. Historically the Green
provided a crucial amenity for the East End and Gorbals
concerts, the up-to-date version of the traditional fair and
communities as well as the city as a whole. Over the
Glasgow’s annual fireworks celebration.
centuries it has witnessed many events that have touched
the lives of the people of Glasgow.
Of course, for all its wealth of history, the enduring
traditional role of Glasgow Green is as a venue for leisurely The renewal of Glasgow Green has been vitally important
to the people of Glasgow. The creation of imaginative new
strolling, relaxation and simply ‘taking the air’.
planting schemes, enhanced play and event provision, the
restoration of monuments and the introduction of stimulating
and informative interpretation have helped to ensure that
the Green, which had a crucial part in Glasgow’s past, will
continue to play a central role in the city’s future.
Fully restored Glasgow Green is once again a place for
relaxation, fun and contemplation for locals and visitors,
young and old alike.
NELSON’S MONUMENT
Leaflet produced by Neil Baxter Associates for Glasgow City Council Land Services.
Text: Neil Baxter. Design: Jon Jardine. We are grateful to the following people and
organisations for the use of the photographs included in this leaflet: Alan Crumlish;
A 500 year journey
Anthony Duda (anthony@duda.fsbusiness.co.uk); Glasgow City Council (Museums);
Glasgow City Council, Mitchell Library, Archives and Special Collections; Glasgow
around the Green...
School of Art Archives; Glasgow University Library, Department of Special Collections
Glasgow Green Renewal Funders: European Regional Development Fund, Glasgow City
Council, Heritage Lottery Fund, The Headley Trust, Historic Scotland, The 1805 Club
CONCERT IN WINTER GARDENS
© Glasgow City Council 2006

2. mother-in-law had the unfortunate
Visitors and Characters
distinction of being the victim of
The Green has had its share of
Glasgow’s last public hanging.
notable residents and visitors.
In 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie
In the nineteenth and twentieth
marched his troops up and down
centuries great orators addressed
the Green threatening to destroy
political and religious gatherings.
the City. Only twenty years later,
In the first half of last century John
James Watt, whilst strolling on
MacLean and Guy Aldred addressed
the Green, was inspired by the
J A M E S WAT T
rallies and the Green became the
idea which led to his invention of the steam engine which,
GLASGOW GREEN
focus of struggles for women’s
quite literally, drove Britain’s industrial revolution. Thirty
Origins
suffrage and for workers’ rights
years on from that event, David Dale, one of the greatest
The first written mention of Glasgow Green was in 1450
– including, ironically, the right to
and most innovative entrepreneurs of his age, took up
when James II granted the land to Bishop William Turnbull.
gather on the Green itself.
residence beside Glasgow Green. GUY ALDRED
From then it became common grazing, a practice which
was to continue for four centuries.
Over the years the Green grew and changed, although its
present form was largely the work of James Cleland, the
city’s Superintendent of Public Works whose landscape
scheme for the Green was completed by 1826.
In addition to its use for grazing, the Green was also
the site of traditional ‘Scotch Washing’. The practice of
tramping washing in large tubs was later replaced by a THE GYMNASIUM
wash-house but the use of the Green for bleaching linens Events and Gatherings P O L I T I C A L R A L LY
in the sun and the popularity of the common drying area Yet it is as a focus for leisure, for recreation and for public
continued well into the twentieth century. events ranging from the festive to the macabre, that
Glasgow Green has continuously played its part at the heart
of Glasgow life.
From 1814 until 1865 Jocelyn Square was the site of
seventy-one public executions. Sixty-seven men and four
women died, “facing the monument”, among them twenty-
one murderers. James ‘Pearly’ Wilson was hanged and
beheaded for high treason (as one of the leaders of the
Scottish Nationalist uprising known as the Radical War of
1820). Doctor Edward Pritchard who murdered his wife and
WASHING ON THE GREEN P O L I T I C A L R A L LY