Gallowgate Barracks
Encyclopedia
Gallowgate Barracks were built in 1795. They were located at the east end of the Gallowgate, Glasgow
, Scotland
, and occupied in the year they were built. It is unclear as to whether the land had been owned by the 'Town and University' and was sold to the Government for a token payment, or if the military were only allowed the use of the land, not sold it, and that it should have been returned to the original owners after it was no longer required. Historians noted that people were suspicious of the Government's motives for establishing military barracks
throughout the country. This was a time of great concern for the Government. Social unrest throughout Europe
had culminated in the French Revolution
of 1789 and the ensuing war with France
and there had been riots in the area during the Weavers Strike
of 1787.
s had been billeted with the town's inhabitants. The buildings were erected on the site of the city butts
, where the burgher
s of medieval Glasgow had practised archery
and were required to gather at the time of the wapinshaws
(weapon shows), to present their arms and armour for inspection. The newly opened Barrack Street was its eastern boundary.
in which the government had passed a law conscripting able bodied Scots males, between nineteen and twenty-three years old, for military service, the barracks played a central role in accommodating troops.
Riots were breaking out in Kirkintilloch
, Freuchie
, Strathaven
, Galston
, Dalry
and throughout Aberdeen
. The North Fencibles, and a party of artillery with two field-pieces, marched from Glasgow Barracks for Greenock
to be replaced by a detachment of thirty artillerymen, with two field-pieces, from Leith
Battery. In October 1797, the 21st Regiment of Foot
marched from Glasgow Barracks for Dundee
, and the 8th Regiment for Dumfries
, Kirkcudbright
and Stranraer
. They were replaced by the Cheshire Militia, who were then dispatched to Dumbarton.
In July 1798, The West Lowland Fencibles arrived in Glasgow Barracks. Soldiers of the York and Cheshire regiments were also in the Barracks that year. A year later, nearly 300 men of the Nottinghamshire Militia, quartered in Glasgow Barracks, volunteered their services into Regiments of the Line, for European service.
to the United Kingdom
occurred on October 31, 1868, with 51 sergeants, 34 corporals, 15 drummers, 431 privates and 26 officers. The next home for the Regiment was Scotland where they arrived in Glasgow on November 12. They were quartered at Gallowgate Barracks with detachments at Paisley
and Ayr
. There they stayed until September 9, 1869 whence they departed for Manchester
, England
and Salford
Barracks. Detachments were sent to Ashton
, Bury
and Burnley
. In 1869, the 90th returned from India
to Gallowgate Barracks, and then in 1878, sailed for South Africa
.
of the town that certain wards of the Glasgow Royal Infirmary
were used only to treat the military. This, and the "exceptional depravity" of the area, was given as one of the reasons for the re-location of the barracks, but the University had already moved from the area because the Gallowgate was an unhealthy place to live. In 1872 new barracks
were opened on Maryhill Road.
would hand back the barracks to the city to be utilised as an open garden space, they were sold to a railway company to be used as a railway goods yard.
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...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, and occupied in the year they were built. It is unclear as to whether the land had been owned by the 'Town and University' and was sold to the Government for a token payment, or if the military were only allowed the use of the land, not sold it, and that it should have been returned to the original owners after it was no longer required. Historians noted that people were suspicious of the Government's motives for establishing military barracks
Barracks
Barracks are specialised buildings for permanent military accommodation; the word may apply to separate housing blocks or to complete complexes. Their main object is to separate soldiers from the civilian population and reinforce discipline, training and esprit de corps. They were sometimes called...
throughout the country. This was a time of great concern for the Government. Social unrest throughout Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
had culminated in the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
of 1789 and the ensuing war with France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and there had been riots in the area during the Weavers Strike
Calton Weavers Strike
The Calton Weavers Strike of 1787 was the earliest major industrial dispute in Scottish history, when troops fired on demonstrators, killing six...
of 1787.
Construction
The barracks, often referrred to as Glasgow Barracks, were built at a cost of £15,000, and could accommodate up to 1,000 men. Before their construction, soldierSoldier
A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
s had been billeted with the town's inhabitants. The buildings were erected on the site of the city butts
Archery butts
An archery butts is an archery practice field, with mounds of earth used for the targets. The name originally referred to the targets themselves, but over time came to mean the platforms that held the targets as well. For instance Othello, V,ii,267 mentions "Here is my journey's end, here is my...
, where the burgher
Burgher
Burgher may refer to:* A citizen of a borough or town, especially one belonging to middle class* A resident of a burgh* A formally defined class in medieval German cities, usually the only group from which city officials could be drawn...
s of medieval Glasgow had practised archery
Archery
Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
and were required to gather at the time of the wapinshaws
Wapenshaw
A wapenshaw was originally a gathering and review of troops formerly held in every district in Scotland. The object was to satisfy the military chiefs that the arms of their retainers were in good condition and that the men were properly trained in their use...
(weapon shows), to present their arms and armour for inspection. The newly opened Barrack Street was its eastern boundary.
18th century
The first regiment to be stationed at the barracks were the Argyleshire Fencibles, soon followed the Sutherland Fencibles and The Gordon Highlanders. In 1796/7, in response to threats of a general uprising in Scotland and the establishment of a Scottish Republic, mainly due to the Militia ActMilitia (Great Britain)
The Militia of Great Britain were the principal military reserve forces of the Kingdom of Great Britain during the 18th century.For the period following the creation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in 1801, see Militia ....
in which the government had passed a law conscripting able bodied Scots males, between nineteen and twenty-three years old, for military service, the barracks played a central role in accommodating troops.
Riots were breaking out in Kirkintilloch
Kirkintilloch
Kirkintilloch is a town and former burgh in East Dunbartonshire, Scotland. It lies on the Forth and Clyde Canal, about eight miles northeast of central Glasgow...
, Freuchie
Freuchie
Freuchie is a village in Fife, Scotland, at the foot of the Lomond Hills, and near Falkland. The nearest major town is Glenrothes located 4 miles to the south.The name derives from the Scottish Gaelic, fraoch, meaning heather....
, Strathaven
Strathaven
Strathaven is a historic market town in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. The town was granted a Royal Charter in 1450, making the Town of Strathaven a burgh of barony. The town's principal industry was primarily weaving in the 19th and early 20th centuries, however this declined when faced by...
, Galston
Galston, East Ayrshire
Galston is a town in East Ayrshire, Scotland which has a population of 5000 . It is situated in wooded countryside 4 miles up-river from Kilmarnock and is one a group of the small towns located in the Irvine Valley between the towns of Hurlford and Newmilns. Galston is located in the Loudoun area...
, Dalry
Dalry
Dalry is the name of several places in Scotland:* Dalry, North Ayrshire* Dalry, Edinburgh* St. John's Town of Dalry You may also be looking for Dalrigh or the Battle of Dalrigh...
and throughout Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
. The North Fencibles, and a party of artillery with two field-pieces, marched from Glasgow Barracks for Greenock
Greenock
Greenock is a town and administrative centre in the Inverclyde council area in United Kingdom, and a former burgh within the historic county of Renfrewshire, located in the west central Lowlands of Scotland...
to be replaced by a detachment of thirty artillerymen, with two field-pieces, from Leith
Leith
-South Leith v. North Leith:Up until the late 16th century Leith , comprised two separate towns on either side of the river....
Battery. In October 1797, the 21st Regiment of Foot
Royal Scots Fusiliers
-The Earl of Mar's Regiment of Foot :The regiment was raised in Scotland in 1678 by Stuart loyalist Charles Erskine, de jure 5th Earl of Mar for service against the rebel covenanting forces during the Second Whig Revolt . They were used to keep the peace and put down brigands, mercenaries, and...
marched from Glasgow Barracks for Dundee
Dundee
Dundee is the fourth-largest city in Scotland and the 39th most populous settlement in the United Kingdom. It lies within the eastern central Lowlands on the north bank of the Firth of Tay, which feeds into the North Sea...
, and the 8th Regiment for Dumfries
Dumfries
Dumfries is a market town and former royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland. It is near the mouth of the River Nith into the Solway Firth. Dumfries was the county town of the former county of Dumfriesshire. Dumfries is nicknamed Queen of the South...
, Kirkcudbright
Kirkcudbright
Kirkcudbright, is a town in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.The town lies south of Castle Douglas and Dalbeattie, in the part of Dumfries and Galloway known as the Stewartry, at the mouth of the River Dee, some six miles from the sea...
and Stranraer
Stranraer
Stranraer is a town in the southwest of Scotland. It lies in the west of Dumfries and Galloway and in the county of Wigtownshire.Stranraer lies on the shores of Loch Ryan on the northern side of the isthmus joining the Rhins of Galloway to the mainland...
. They were replaced by the Cheshire Militia, who were then dispatched to Dumbarton.
In July 1798, The West Lowland Fencibles arrived in Glasgow Barracks. Soldiers of the York and Cheshire regiments were also in the Barracks that year. A year later, nearly 300 men of the Nottinghamshire Militia, quartered in Glasgow Barracks, volunteered their services into Regiments of the Line, for European service.
19th century
The return of the 100th Regiment100th Regiment of Foot
100th Regiment of Foot may refer to:Regiments of the British Army:*100th Regiment of Foot , raised in 1760*100th Regiment of Foot , raised in 1780...
to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
occurred on October 31, 1868, with 51 sergeants, 34 corporals, 15 drummers, 431 privates and 26 officers. The next home for the Regiment was Scotland where they arrived in Glasgow on November 12. They were quartered at Gallowgate Barracks with detachments at Paisley
Paisley
Paisley is the largest town in the historic county of Renfrewshire in the west central Lowlands of Scotland and serves as the administrative centre for the Renfrewshire council area...
and Ayr
Ayr
Ayr is a town and port situated on the Firth of Clyde in south-west Scotland. With a population of around 46,000, Ayr is the largest settlement in Ayrshire, of which it is the county town, and has held royal burgh status since 1205...
. There they stayed until September 9, 1869 whence they departed for Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Salford
City of Salford
The City of Salford is a city and metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, England. It is named after its largest settlement, Salford, but covers a far larger area which includes the towns of Eccles, Swinton-Pendlebury, Walkden and Irlam which apart from Irlam each have a population of over...
Barracks. Detachments were sent to Ashton
Ashton-under-Lyne
Ashton-under-Lyne is a market town in the Metropolitan Borough of Tameside, Greater Manchester, England. Historically a part of Lancashire, it lies on the north bank of the River Tame, on undulating land at the foothills of the Pennines...
, Bury
Bury
Bury is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on the River Irwell, east of Bolton, west-southwest of Rochdale, and north-northwest of the city of Manchester...
and Burnley
Burnley
Burnley is a market town in the Burnley borough of Lancashire, England, with a population of around 73,500. It lies north of Manchester and east of Preston, at the confluence of the River Calder and River Brun....
. In 1869, the 90th returned from India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
to Gallowgate Barracks, and then in 1878, sailed for South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
Decline
By the mid-19th century the buildings were in a a dire condition. Such was the spread of disease due to soldiers sleeping with the "sporting ladies"Prostitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
of the town that certain wards of the Glasgow Royal Infirmary
Glasgow Royal Infirmary
The Glasgow Royal Infirmary is a large teaching hospital, operated by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde,. With a capacity of around 1000 beds, the hospital campus covers an area of around 20 acres, situated on the north-eastern edge of the city centre of Glasgow, Scotland.-History:Designed by Robert...
were used only to treat the military. This, and the "exceptional depravity" of the area, was given as one of the reasons for the re-location of the barracks, but the University had already moved from the area because the Gallowgate was an unhealthy place to live. In 1872 new barracks
Maryhill Barracks
Maryhill Barracks were built on of the Ruchill estate, in the Maryhill area of northern Glasgow, Scotland. They were opened as Garrioch Barracks in 1872. Built to accommodate an infantry regiment, a squadron of cavalry and a battery of field artillery, it dominated the area which is now the...
were opened on Maryhill Road.
Dereliction and sale
The Gallowgate Barracks fell into dereliction after new quarters were built in Maryhill. Despite hopes that the War OfficeWar Office
The War Office was a department of the British Government, responsible for the administration of the British Army between the 17th century and 1964, when its functions were transferred to the Ministry of Defence...
would hand back the barracks to the city to be utilised as an open garden space, they were sold to a railway company to be used as a railway goods yard.