The Scotia Bar

112 Stockwell Street, Glasgow. G1 4LW. Tel: 01415528681.

The Scotia Bar. 1991.

This is one of Glasgow’s oldest pub’s, however it is not the oldest. It was taken over by Belhaven Brewery in 2005.

To read the full history of the Scotia Bar click here.

The Scotia Bar. 2005.

I received a letter from Willy Gallagher written by Brian Nugent about the Scotia Bar and one of the owners, you will judge for yourself who this is.

Dear Friends of Old Glasgow.

It is now four years since I wrote a small pamphlet which brought to public attention S.D.A. plans to upgrade (close down) Paddy’s Market. The latest attempt to alter the face of Old Glasgow now comes, not from the now defunct S.D.A., but from a man with a business interest- Mr X. He wants to rename part of the old Briggait area and call it “The Stockwell Village.”
I want to raise some objections to this idea.
Its a posh sounding name about as Glaswegian as Daffodil tea; Queen Elizabeth II Square; and Nelson’s Column. It is obvious that in comparison to names like Paddy’s Market; the Briggait; and Goosbuds, “The Stockwell Village” is plastic and has a hollow ring about it. I don’t like it at all.
Secondly, I object to the attitude of the inventor of this idea. It is true that Mr X has achieved much at the Scotia Bar. In a few years he has turned the business round. An informed source tells me that he clears £1,500 profit p.w. Good money in any language. He has recently spent £150,000 on buying and refurbishing the Merchant now (The Clutha Vaults) and drives a new Volvo. Well done Mr X! Do these achievements give him the right to change street names and invent villages? I don’t think so.
My advice to Mr X is clear. Drop all this exaggerated Glasgow patter and talk of intelligent workers city and the common folk and the Glasgow watch stop writing of the Scotia as a Socialist Pub and instead make the place a Socialist Pub. Share out some of those profits with unemployed workers, even a cheaper pint for those without jobs would do.
Similarly with the folk scene. Instead of someone singing four or five songs and getting no more than a sniff of the barman’s apron, ensure that a pint is laid on the table. Remember the old saying Mr X, “One Singer, One Song + One Pint.”
Finally, Mr X, please stick to making money, you seem to be good at that. Last the folk scene and Glasgow culture develop naturally. When we feel the need to change the name of the area, we’ll send for the Queen, or the Lord Provost.

Village elders are not required.
Your Sincerely.
Brian Nugent.
Question 1. In what way is the Scotia Bar different from any other Capitalist Pub.
Question 2. After the Anti-Water Privatisation March, which Pub did the marchers visit.
Question 3. Why is it that from cover to cover, there is no mention of money in “The Scotia Folk and The Clutha Clipe.”