Born in Rottenrow, I was...

I followed up on my emails early this morning I because was meeting someone for lunch up at Sauchiehall Street (or the Willow Meadow if you been following this blog :) )
Had nice lunch but after that wasn't sure what to do.
Maybe go along Great Western Road? It had called to me at St. George's Cross on Friday.
Maybe hop the tube down to Scotland Street School? Been recommended to me a few times.

I was looking for a sign ...
And where better to find a sign than outside the Griffon pub in Bath Street!!

Today's sign was a tribute to the great Bruce Springsteen who was playing Hampden tonight. And was also a tribute to Glasgow Royal Maternity Hospital on Rottenrow which was Glasgow's main maternity hospital from 1860 until 2001. What percentage of Glasgow babies where born in the Rottenrow?
I realised if I just walked straight along Bath Street it would take me to Cathedral Street and then onto Rottenrow. That was the sign I was looking for...

So started walking up Bath Street. Won't tell you anymore about the Griffon pub or the King's Theatre cause covered those buildings before. But suppose should start as always telling you about the name of the street. Now I always presumed it was after the Earl of Bath or something but no ... it really is the street with the public baths on it.

A Mr William Harley opened up the first public baths in the city in the early 1800's at the corner of what is now Bath Street and Renfield Street. (Suppose must be roughly where BHS is now). The street got named Bath street and it stuck.

As you move east along Bath Street the next building that catches your attention is St. Stephen's Renfield Church with it's stunning steeple. It was built in 1849 and as you stand beneath it it does seem to touch the sky.

Also casts a lovely reflection in the building across the street. Though if you are wondering why you can't see my reflection it's because I am a vampire :)

Now there should be 2 more churches to show you on Bath Street. The vacant lot above was the Elgin Place Congregational Church which was built in 1855. It was built in the Greek Revival style, with its large pillars at the front giving it the appearance of a classical temple. The building ceased to be used as a church in 1962. One of the things that made it unique is that the stone work had not been cleaned and was therefore still black from the industrial fumes of Glasgow's industry. In the 80's it was turned into a night club so a lot of people reading this will know it better as Cardinal Follies, The Temple, The Shack or Trash depending upon how old you are! :) In 2004 it caught fire and was so badly damaged it had to be demolished. A sad loss to Glasgow of a unique building. Anyone know of what it planned for this empty lot?

This is the other church on Bath Street. It is the Adelaide Place Baptist church and dates from 1875. This seems to be more than just a church and when I searched for it later the building now also contains a guest house, a nursery and an auditorium.

Really is an interesting approach of church and community in the middle of the city.
http://www.adelaides.co.uk/

A wee bit further on this statue on the side of a building in Douglas Street caught my eye. There was no plaque on it but looked like there used to be one. Had a look on Google Street view and there is one when the van went by. It says City of Glasgow Friendly Society, Founded by John Stewart 1862.

Really is a lovely memorial. The building itself also seems to have some beautiful stained glass. Maybe see if I can get in here one day to get some photos.

Didn't feel right to walk along Bath Street and not mention McCormack's Musical Instruments. Think anyone who has played a musical instrument in Glasgow must have been in here at some point. Even myself with the musical talent of a stick insect has been in here to buy guitar strings, a harmonica and a penny whistle. (No offence meant to any stick insects reading this blog).

Over through the Buchanan Galleries tunnel and the street name changes to Cathedral Street. No points for guessing where this leads to.

And now heading into the heart of Strathclyde University.
This is the student union. It's ok I won't ask anyone to post up stories of what went on in here!! :) Though I did used to dance badly at the Level 9 disco in here myself during the '80's :)

But since I was passing thought I would pop down and take a quick photo of Martha Street registry office. Since I was heading to Rottenrow thought it would complete the story a bit to show where a fair number of the babies born in Rottenrow would have been registered. Actually as I was taking this photo a couple came out with a beautiful wee baby girl. The proud father gave me a huge smile. The latest wee addition to the history of this building.

And now onto Rottenrow itself. Suppose have 2 stories to tell here. Why is the street called Rottenrow and the story of the hospital itself.

Well there seems to be a lot of debate over this name. But it is actually a common name found in a number of cities around the UK. It either means the "routine route" or "Route di Roi" (route of Kings) or "Ratton row" ( a ratton being a tumbledown cottage).

What is know is that it is one of the oldest in the city and it used to be the main route west. Cathedral Street wasn't built until 1840.

But what Rottenrow is most famous for is the Glasgow Royal Maternity Hospital that was here from 1860 until 2001 when it was moved to the new Princess Royal Maternity Hospital next to the Royal Infirmary.

When the building was demolished in 2002 it was turned into a landscaped garden and some of the original facade was left as part of the garden. I've actually posted a photo like this one in one of the little corners quizes. But here is the full thing in all it's glory.

A beautiful wild flower area in the garden today. Was alive with buzzing insects and over the busy Glasgow traffic in the background you could here crickets.

Another view over the gardens with the big nappy bin sculpture in the background. Have also posted this up before. It is called "Maternity" and it is by George Wyllie.
I really do love this garden. I think it is fitting tribute to all the doctors and nurses that worked here all those years and where so may Glaswegians started life.

Another piece of the old hospital looking through with the tower of the city chambers in the background. The dates on the arch say founded in 1835 which is when the hospital was originally founded down at Greyfriars Wynd. And rebuilt 1880 is when these buildings were built in Rottenrow. Although the hospital moved here in 1860.
Where you born in Rottenrow ? Pleasse post up a comment.

Kept going along Rottenrow which takes you right throught the Strathclyde Univeristy campus. Took some photos of some of the sculptures that decorate this campus but was looking for the one above which I had been told was here. It's another one by Shona Kinloch, the artist that did the "Chookie Burdies" and "Thinking of Bella" in the Italian Centre.

This one is called "In Pursuit of..." and dates from 1996. It was to mark 200th anniversary of the University. I hope if Shona Kinloch ever reads this she doesn't think I'm stalking her but really am enjoying her work.

Noticed from the car park just over from this sculpture you get a great view across Glasgow past High Street. And in this case the rain clouds sweeping in over Raintown. Must come back here on a blue sky day.

And then on to the end of Rottenrow. And back to the Barony Church which is now the Barony Hall and is owned by the University. It is used for functions, graduations, weddings etc. This building was completed in 1890 and was designed by Sir J.J. Burnet. Burnet had studied in Paris and that is why the church has the distinctive "fleche" steeple in the middle. Fleche being french for arrow and is common on French churches. (Notre Dame being an example)

And today it was open to the public!! There was a wonderful tour guide that took me around the inside of the building.

And what a fantastic building it is on the inside. The picture doesn't do justice to the beautiful pinky red colour of the stone as the light streams in.

Here is just a small sample of the amazing stain glass windows.

And at the back of the church halls these three modern stain glass windows are a set made to once again mark the 200th anniversary of the University.They are painted by John Clark. Once again these pictures don't do them justice. There is so much detail in each one. You see something new everytime you look. The first one covers the early history of the University. The prism throwing out 5 colours represents the 5 faculties of the University. The second red window covers the University being established and has the University crest as the main item. The third green one has modern advances such as DNA double helix and the QWERTY keyboard.
Very different from most stained glass you see and very beautiful.

Any Strathclyde University people having flash backs on this tour? :)

And that was the end of the tour. Was a nice surprise to end the tour being able to get inside the Barony.

Hope any one who went to see Bruce Springsteen at Hampden tonight had a great time. Thanks you to him for inspiring this tour. (And the staff at the Griffon pub)

Hope you enjoyed it too!!

Be well, be happy!!