Hielanman's umbrella - Argyle Street Railway Bridge in Glasgow

[mcmacey]

Hello.

I wonder if anyone can help me confirm when the tradition of highlanders meeting under the railway bridge began? I've found a reference in a Glasgow history that says it was at its peak in the 1920s and 1930s but I'd really like to know whether it dates from the construction of the first railway bridge over Argyle Street in about 1879.

There is a family tradition that my great-great grandfather played the pibroch under the bridge. I now know that he was a ship's carpenter born in Islay about 1833. He was based in Port Glasgow or Greenock most of his working life when not at sea but came to Glasgow from Greenock in the late 1880s. He died in 1898 so his musical career in Glasgow definitely predates the bridge built between (I think) 1901-1905.

Thanks

Betty

[Billy Anderson]

Hi Betty,
The Bridge was designed by Scottish Victorian Architect Sir Robert Rowand Anderson and was open for business in 1879.
It was extended in 1905 by James Miller and went through extensive internal and external renovations  1998-2000 by Bovis lend lease,
Billy.

[Skoosh]

Lassies in service often had the Sunday off so met in town under the bridge and out of the rain, folk from different areas meeting at a particular corner there. The polis being largely Heilan themselves no doubt cast a benevolent eye on things!

Skoosh.

[Neil Mac]

Not sure when it started, but gathering still took place
in the 1950,s on a Saturday night after the various dances
finished.

[Richard Conway]

I used to hear about it regularly from my Mam & Dad when I was young (60s/early 70s).

People from the Highlands and Hebrides used to meet under the bridge (sheltering from the rain), to have a blether in Gaelic and swap news from home.

If I remember right, Andy Stewart used to sing a song about it on the White Heather Club.

Cheers
Richard

[doddsie4]

          Another favourite meeting place, for couples usually, was "the Shell" inside the Central station.             

[mcmacey]

Thank you all for your various responses. I guess it is possible that GGGF played his pibroch under the original bridge sometime between its opening in 1879 and his death in 1898.