H is for the HielanMan’s Umbrella

centraljamaicastDuring the latter Highland clearances in the 19th century, around 30,000 Gaelic speaking displaced people arrived in Glasgow looking for work. They dispersed all over the city but, usually on Saturdays, they would meet together under the railway bridge which carried the trains from Central Station across Argyle Street. Given the amount of rain Glasgow gets, the bridge soon became known as the HielanMan’s Umbrella.

The area underneath has long had problems with pollution and poor air qualiy due to the amount of traffic pouring under it. The entrance to Central Station there usually smells of piss. But I believe they have tried to tart it up since I was last there.

 

 

Comments

6 responses to “H is for the HielanMan’s Umbrella”

  1. Connor Rickett Avatar

    See, this kind of thing makes me rather jealous. Europe and just about everywhere has so damned much history. Random overpasses have got fancy names due to interesting things that happened there, etc. My home town of two million had a grand total of 100 residents at the end of the 19th century. There’s not a single building old enough to have sheltered any displaced Highlanders, although a fair number of their descendants, self included, did end up there.

  2. skybluepinkish Avatar

    Isn’t that where the Belfast Bus used to leave as well? Sauchiehall St to Stranraer to Belfast. Couldn’t get through the crowds/bus queue during the marching season.

    1. Annette Avatar

      Hmm – I don’t know about that. This is at the corner of Argyle Street and Union Street. 🙂

  3. Margot Kinberg Avatar

    Nettie – Oh, that’s really interesting! I always find it fascinating how different places get different names like that.

  4. tracykuhn Avatar

    This is really interesting, I’ve read a bit about the highland clearances but didn’t know so many ended up in Glasgow. It’s really sad.

  5. Erina Tempesthearth Avatar

    I’m loving this A-Z theme. I’ve never been to Glasgow, but I love social history. These snippets of detail you’re sharing with us are marvellous. Thank you!
    Erina at A Pragmatic Pagan

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