Strathbungo
Encyclopedia
Strathbungo grew up as a small village built along the Pollokshaws Road, one of the main arteries leading southwards from the centre of Glasgow
, adjoined by the Camphill Estate, now part of Queens Park. The village never achieved burgh
status and was annexed to Glasgow
in 1891.
Strathbungo lay just inside Govan
parish, on its boundary with Cathcart
parish, and at one time the line of Allison Street and Nithsdale Street formed the boundary or 'march' between the counties of Lanark
and Renfrew
.
Strathbungo was formerly known as Marchtown, and this survives in March Street. The words 'Strathbungo Cross' appear on a tenement
at the corner of Allison Street and Pollokshaws Road, but no satisfactory explanation has ever been given for the name Strathbungo, as 'Strath' (from Scottish Gaelic: Srath) is normally prefixed to a river, to name the surrounding area. However there is no river Bungo. "Bungo" may represent a nasalisation of Mungo, the patron saint of Glasgow, from Srath Mhungain.
Strathbungo developed as a crofters and miners village in the early 18th century. By the end of the century, over 35 families were living in the village and weaving
had become the principal occupation.
In 1859 development of a residential suburb to the south west of Strathbungo began, when nos 1-10 Moray Place were built to the design of Alexander Thomson
. The other terraces (named, as was Moray Place, after the protagonists in the Battle of Langside
fought nearby), Regent Park Square, Queen Square and Princes Square (later renamed Marywood Square), formed a private estate, exclusive enough to have gates. This part of Strathbungo was designated a conservation area in 1973. In the 1890s Charles Rennie Mackintosh
lived at 27 Regent Park Square.
Interestingly, in Alexander Thomson’s death notice published in the Glasgow Herald of 23rd March 1875, his place of death is described as “1, Moray Place, Regent Park” with no reference to Strathbungo, which is perhaps a later preference for the name of the wider area.
By the 1870s tenement
buildings had started to appear, and with annexation to Glasgow in 1891 building proceeded apace.
Strathbungo railway station
opened on 1 December 1877, and closed on 28 May 1962.
The Strathbungo Society helps promote the preservation of the Strathbungo Conservation Area and organises events for local people like 'Bungo at the Bells' at the New Year and the 'Bungo in the Back Lanes' event in June each year which was originally set up to help get people into the lanes in Strathbungo and to highlight the need for the refurbishment of them.
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, adjoined by the Camphill Estate, now part of Queens Park. The village never achieved burgh
Burgh
A burgh was an autonomous corporate entity in Scotland and Northern England, usually a town. This type of administrative division existed from the 12th century, when King David I created the first royal burghs. Burgh status was broadly analogous to borough status, found in the rest of the United...
status and was annexed to Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
in 1891.
Strathbungo lay just inside Govan
Govan
Govan is a district and former burgh now part of southwest City of Glasgow, Scotland. It is situated west of Glasgow city centre, on the south bank of the River Clyde, opposite the mouth of the River Kelvin and the district of Partick....
parish, on its boundary with Cathcart
Cathcart
Cathcart is an area of Glasgow between Mount Florida, King's Park, Muirend and Newlands. The White Cart Water flows through Cathcart, downstream from Linn Park....
parish, and at one time the line of Allison Street and Nithsdale Street formed the boundary or 'march' between the counties of Lanark
Lanarkshire
Lanarkshire or the County of Lanark ) is a Lieutenancy area, registration county and former local government county in the central Lowlands of Scotland...
and Renfrew
Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire is one of 32 council areas used for local government in Scotland. Located in the west central Lowlands, it is one of three council areas contained within the boundaries of the historic county of Renfrewshire, the others being Inverclyde to the west and East Renfrewshire to the east...
.
Strathbungo was formerly known as Marchtown, and this survives in March Street. The words 'Strathbungo Cross' appear on a tenement
Tenement
A tenement is, in most English-speaking areas, a substandard multi-family dwelling, usually old, occupied by the poor.-History:Originally the term tenement referred to tenancy and therefore to any rented accommodation...
at the corner of Allison Street and Pollokshaws Road, but no satisfactory explanation has ever been given for the name Strathbungo, as 'Strath' (from Scottish Gaelic: Srath) is normally prefixed to a river, to name the surrounding area. However there is no river Bungo. "Bungo" may represent a nasalisation of Mungo, the patron saint of Glasgow, from Srath Mhungain.
Strathbungo developed as a crofters and miners village in the early 18th century. By the end of the century, over 35 families were living in the village and weaving
Weaving
Weaving is a method of fabric production in which two distinct sets of yarns or threads are interlaced at right angles to form a fabric or cloth. The other methods are knitting, lace making and felting. The longitudinal threads are called the warp and the lateral threads are the weft or filling...
had become the principal occupation.
In 1859 development of a residential suburb to the south west of Strathbungo began, when nos 1-10 Moray Place were built to the design of Alexander Thomson
Alexander Thomson
Alexander "Greek" Thomson was an eminent Scottish architect and architectural theorist who was a pioneer in sustainable building. Although his work was published in the architectural press of his day, it was little appreciated outwith Glasgow during his lifetime...
. The other terraces (named, as was Moray Place, after the protagonists in the Battle of Langside
Battle of Langside
The Battle of Langside, fought on 13 May 1568, was one of the more unusual contests in Scottish history, bearing a superficial resemblance to a grand family quarrel, in which a mother fought her brother who was defending the rights of her infant son...
fought nearby), Regent Park Square, Queen Square and Princes Square (later renamed Marywood Square), formed a private estate, exclusive enough to have gates. This part of Strathbungo was designated a conservation area in 1973. In the 1890s Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Charles Rennie Mackintosh was a Scottish architect, designer, watercolourist and artist. He was a designer in the Arts and Crafts movement and also the main representative of Art Nouveau in the United Kingdom. He had a considerable influence on European design...
lived at 27 Regent Park Square.
Interestingly, in Alexander Thomson’s death notice published in the Glasgow Herald of 23rd March 1875, his place of death is described as “1, Moray Place, Regent Park” with no reference to Strathbungo, which is perhaps a later preference for the name of the wider area.
By the 1870s tenement
Tenement
A tenement is, in most English-speaking areas, a substandard multi-family dwelling, usually old, occupied by the poor.-History:Originally the term tenement referred to tenancy and therefore to any rented accommodation...
buildings had started to appear, and with annexation to Glasgow in 1891 building proceeded apace.
Strathbungo railway station
Strathbungo railway station
Strathbungo railway station was a railway station serving the village of Strathbungo , Lanarkshire, Scotland. The station was originally part of the Glasgow, Barrhead and Kilmarnock Joint Railway.-History:...
opened on 1 December 1877, and closed on 28 May 1962.
The Strathbungo Society helps promote the preservation of the Strathbungo Conservation Area and organises events for local people like 'Bungo at the Bells' at the New Year and the 'Bungo in the Back Lanes' event in June each year which was originally set up to help get people into the lanes in Strathbungo and to highlight the need for the refurbishment of them.
External links
- Maps of grid. ref.