Heilanman's Umbrella
Encyclopedia
The Hielanman's Umbrella is a famous landmark
in the centre of Glasgow
, Scotland
. It is the local nickname
for the glass walled railway bridge which carries the platforms of Glasgow Central station
across Argyle Street
.
Due to the forced displacement of people during the second phase of the Highland clearances
in the 19th century, 30,000 Highlanders
who spoke Scottish Gaelic but did not speak English came to Glasgow
to find work. When arriving in the city they were housed in many different areas of Glasgow. Over many years Highlanders continued to arrive and began to keep in touch by meeting under the bridge, mostly at weekends.
With the city's inclement weather and the meeting of the Highlanders it came to be known as the Hielanman's Umbrella. As time passed the Highlanders and their offspring became integrated into Glasgow culture
until finally the meetings no longer occurred. Many of the younger generation no longer recall the name of the bridge.
In 1998, the bridge was substantially refurbished by Railtrack
(and later Network Rail
) in line with the rest of the station - its distinctive Venetian
style windows were reglazed, and the gold "Central Station" lettering was applied. Efforts were also made to improve the environment underneath the bridge to encourage retailers back into the shop units - high powered lighting and extractor fans were installed. The street level entrances to Central Station under the bridge were also upgraded.
In 2001, a new entrance to the burgeoning Arches
nightclub and restaurant complex was added under the bridge which has led to the level of pedestrian footfall increasing markedly, contributing greatly to the regeneration of the Umbrella.
Landmark
This is a list of landmarks around the world.Landmarks may be split into two categories - natural phenomena and man-made features, like buildings, bridges, statues, public squares and so forth...
in the centre of 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...
, 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...
. It is the local nickname
Nickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
for the glass walled railway bridge which carries the platforms of Glasgow Central station
Glasgow Central station
Glasgow Central is the larger of the two present main-line railway terminals in Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland. The station was opened by the Caledonian Railway on 31 July 1879 and is currently managed by Network Rail...
across Argyle Street
Argyle Street, Glasgow
Argyle Street is a major thoroughfare in the city centre of Glasgow, Scotland.With Buchanan Street and Sauchiehall Street, Argyle Street forms the main shopping artery in the city centre...
.
Due to the forced displacement of people during the second phase of the Highland clearances
Highland Clearances
The Highland Clearances were forced displacements of the population of the Scottish Highlands during the 18th and 19th centuries. They led to mass emigration to the sea coast, the Scottish Lowlands, and the North American colonies...
in the 19th century, 30,000 Highlanders
Gàidhealtachd
The Gàidhealtachd , sometimes known as A' Ghàidhealtachd , usually refers to the Scottish highlands and islands, and especially the Scottish Gaelic culture of the area. The corresponding Irish word Gaeltacht however refers strictly to an Irish speaking area...
who spoke Scottish Gaelic but did not speak English came 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...
to find work. When arriving in the city they were housed in many different areas of Glasgow. Over many years Highlanders continued to arrive and began to keep in touch by meeting under the bridge, mostly at weekends.
With the city's inclement weather and the meeting of the Highlanders it came to be known as the Hielanman's Umbrella. As time passed the Highlanders and their offspring became integrated into Glasgow culture
Culture in Glasgow
The city of Glasgow, Scotland, has many amenities for a wide range of cultural activities, from curling to opera and from football to art appreciation; it also has a large selection of museums that include those devoted to transport, religion, and modern art. The city often hosts exhibitions and...
until finally the meetings no longer occurred. Many of the younger generation no longer recall the name of the bridge.
In 1998, the bridge was substantially refurbished by Railtrack
Railtrack
Railtrack was a group of companies that owned the track, signalling, tunnels, bridges, level crossings and all but a handful of the stations of the British railway system from its formation in April 1994 until 2002...
(and later Network Rail
Network Rail
Network Rail is the government-created owner and operator of most of the rail infrastructure in Great Britain .; it is not responsible for railway infrastructure in Northern Ireland...
) in line with the rest of the station - its distinctive Venetian
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
style windows were reglazed, and the gold "Central Station" lettering was applied. Efforts were also made to improve the environment underneath the bridge to encourage retailers back into the shop units - high powered lighting and extractor fans were installed. The street level entrances to Central Station under the bridge were also upgraded.
In 2001, a new entrance to the burgeoning Arches
The Arches (Glasgow)
The Arches is a bar, arts venue, theatre, live music venue and nightclub in Glasgow, Scotland, which first opened in 1991. It is a not-for-profit organisation...
nightclub and restaurant complex was added under the bridge which has led to the level of pedestrian footfall increasing markedly, contributing greatly to the regeneration of the Umbrella.