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The Caravel.

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Hallhill Road, Glasgow. G 32 0HW. Demolished.

The Caravel. 1991.

This was Tam McGraw’s old pub the notorious Caravel. It is believed that a bomb was thrown into the bar one day. It is now demolished, a new housing estate now occupies the site.

In the NEWS…

In 1998, he was charged along with a number of others, including his brother-in-law, John Healy, after police seized cannabis worth 260,000 hidden on board a boys’ football team bus.

McGraw stood trial but walked on a not-proven verdict. Healy was not so lucky and was jailed for 10 years, prompting a feud which lasted until the day McGraw died.

One of McGraw’s most ardent critics has been Paul Ferris, perhaps the most infamous criminal character in Scotland since Thompson snr.

The Caravel.

A one-time heavy for Thompson, he stood trial for the murder of the Godfather’s son, Arthur jnr, known to everyone as “Fatboy”, who was shot dead in 1991.

The night before Arthur jnr’s funeral, two of Ferris’ pals, Joe “Bananas” Hanlon and Bobby Glover, were shot dead in an apparent revenge attack.

According to underworld sources, the victims’ bodies were personally mutilated by Thompson snr at The Caravel bar in Barlanark – owned and run by McGraw. Within hours of the desecrations taking place, the pub had mysteriously burned to the ground.

The Caravel was mysteriously burned to the ground

In 2011 there were plans to build a new pub in this Dry Area of Glasgow  ran in to oppositions from Co-operative housing, Churches and Schools in the area. But other residents in the area are determined to have a pub. Over 350 locals have signed a petition not to have a public house. However in 2019 there is no sign of a pub being built.

Do you remember this notorious bar? If so please leave a comment.

END.

Cairns Bar.

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135 Balornock Road, Glasgow. G21 3UL. Closed.

Cairn’s Bar. 1991.

The Cairn went on fire and is now demolished.

The pub was rebuilt a few years later.

A good friend of mine Tam Waters was asked by Tennent’s to go and manage Cairns Bar as there was a lot of trouble in it by local neds. His wife went with him and it turned out she ended up managing this pub.

When they left trouble was always a problem in this pub and it was always in the news of gangs and fighting in the pub. However it was not always like that, in fact it was quite a good pub when it first open.

In the NEWS 1978…

Manageress Julie Jones with some members of Ally’s Telly Army in Cairns Bar, Balornock Road.

Pubs Go Out To Bring Fans In…

While Ally’s Tartan Army are already on the move, his Telly Army are firmly rooted to their spots, in front of screens in pubs, clubs, and hotels.

Scotland’s publicans are going all out to make sure their customers can enjoy a pint in a football-crowd atmosphere. The Ardeer Recreation Club in Ayrshire typifies the spirit.

Said secretary Mrs Margaret Laird: “We will have eight colour TV sets in here during the World Cup. They will be in our three lounges and in the dining-room, or what is normally the dining-room.

“We had the sets installed over a week ago, so that there wouldn’t be any last-minute snags for our 5000 members.” The Ardeer club officials have even arranged their committee meetings so that they don’t clash with any of the “Big Games.”

LOUNGES

In Glasgow publican Miller Reid, chairman of Partick Thistle, has set up a special 8ft square screen in a room of his Esquire House, Anniesland Cross, at a cost of £1000 for the month.

But don’t cry for him, Argentina. He’s renting the place out to organised parties for about £100 a night, with live pictures of the games.

He has also put portable TV sets in his bars and lounges to make sure the staff can see the matches.

But at Glasgow’s Ashfield Club, for years one of the city’s top night-spots, manager Charlie Craig reckons’ he’ll be watching the games with his staff and a few others.

Said Mr Craig, “I’ve been asking our customers what they intend doing during the World Cup and most say they will be watching at home.” He said, “This month will be a dead loss for people like us though,” The World Cup will mean a break with tradition at Burns’ Howff, in the city centre.

For more than a decade the place has played host to rock groups and disco sounds, now a TV set will be installed for the first time. Owner John Waterson said: “I’ll be recording the games and, if we do well, then I’ll show reruns of them in the winter nights.”

At the Cairns Bar, in Balornock golfers at the eighth tee of the nearby Littlehill course will be tempted even more than usual to jump over the wall for a quick drink. Manageress Julie Jones has made sure colour TV facilities are laid on, and there will be a raffle with a difference for regulars.

Said Mrs Jones: “The raffle tickets will be free and numbered 1-90. If there’s a goal score in the 47th minute and you have ticket No. 47, then you’re on to a half bottle of whisky.”

BOVRIL

The Boulevard Hotel, just outside Clydebank, is another of the “Big Screen” set. Manager Tony McHenry has rigged up a 5ft x 6ft screen, restricted his viewing audience to regulars and has had to impose an “all-ticket” crowd limit of 120 at £1 a time.

The Central Hotel is also looking after its football daft regulars, with extra TV sets installed in different bars and pies and Bovril provided to give that “terracing Tam” atmosphere.

In the NEWS… 2018.

The Cairn Bar on Balornock Road, which dates back to the 1960’s will be turned into four new homes. Two one-bedroom flats and two two-bedroom flats will be constructed on the site by Briggs Building Ltd. A car park with six spaces will be added for residents as well as a private amenity space and a row of trees.

The once Cairns Bar. 2018.

Do you remember this 1960s Pub? If so please leave a comment.

END.

Buchanan Street Station Hotel.

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Mr James Angus, Buchanan Street, 23 Cowcaddens Street, Glasgow. Demolished.

Buchanan Street Station Hotel. 1970’s.

Mr James Angus. 1892.

In 1892 Mr James Angus acquired the lease of the Station Hotel, Buchanan Street. Mr Angus was well-known as lessee of the Theatre Royal Bars, when he came into possession of the hotel, alterations and improvements was the first of a long list of duties he had to attend to. Originally a commercial man himself, his knowledge of the wants of the travelling public has been gained in the wide field of personal experience. When the hotel was completely renovated the event was celebrated during that month with what to Scotch folks is known as a house-warming.

The following extract from one of the Glasgow dailies regarding the occasion may be interesting:- “Last night Mr James Angus, the new proprietor of Buchanan Street Station Hotel, gave a complimentary dinner and dance to his local friends and patrons. The occasion of the gathering was a sort of house-warming, as Mr Angus has just completed a number of improvements which he has been carrying out on the hotel. There was a merry party of ladies and gentlemen present last night, Rev. W. Fergus of Blythswood Parish Church, making a very happy chairman, and in a neat speech spoke in flattering terms of the new proprietor. Mr Angus suitably replied. Among the toasts were those of “The Provost, Magistrates, and Town Council,” and “The Municipal Interests of Glasgow,” the brevity of the speeches being in marked contrast to the customary eloquence of after-dinner orators. Messrs. Sharp, Bathgate and White contributed vocally to the dinner-table entertainment, a very agreeable dance bringing the evening to a close.”

Among the gentlemen who took part in the proceedings were Bailie Ness, Kirkcaldy; Messrs. F. Sephton (Royalty Theatre); E. McLean, Bank Restaurant; W. R. Cuddeford; Andrew Myles, Bathgate (Dryburgh & Co.); McGlashan; Stewart, Bissett, and F. C. Cowlard, of the Theatre Royal; Messrs. Sephton and Myles acting as croupiers.

The accommodation for sleepers at the hotel is ample and every arrangement has been made with a view of adding to the comfort of travellers and touring parties. This branch of hotel management having been made a special study by Mr Angus since entering upon his lease, boarders may rest assured that their requirements will receive the personal supervision of mine host himself or that of his good lady, either of whom are en evidence at the port of duty.

On the first landing will be found the dining, coffee and smoke-rooms. The coffee-room alone accommodates about sixty persons with ease. The smoke-room is of good size also, and while not so elegantly furnished as the principal room, is very suitable for meetings, &c. We should also mention that there is a good billiard-room leading from the tap or refreshment buffet. Since the improvements have been completed there have been quite a number of marriage and supper parties in the hotel, all of which passed off satisfactorily.

Luncheons and ordinary dinners may he had at all hours of the day, and as the cooking arrangements are in the hands of an expert chef, the wants of the inner man are supplied in a manner that should gratify even the most of the well-known brands to which we should add Mr Angus’s famous “Marmion” blend of whiskies, an especial favourite with professional men. Ales and stouts of well-known breweries are well represented and the famous Bavarian beer, for which our friend Mr. Bischoff is agent.

Mr Angus is a man of character, and never does things by halves; moreover, being, so to speak, self-made, he knows well what it is to overcome the ordinary difficulties of a business career. The Buchanan Street Station Hotel has been licensed since 1872.

Do you remember this old Hotel? If so please leave a comment.

END.

The Buchanan Bar.

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222 Buchanan Street, Glasgow, City Centre. Demolished.

The Buchanan Bar & Lounge. 1970s.

Over the years these premises were once part of the hotel. In 1875 John Purvis was the Hotel Keeper. In 1887 the hotel was known as Baikies Temperance Hotel. In 1912 it was called the Palace Temperance Hotel, 1919 the Oversea Club Hotel then back to the Palace Hotel, then the Buchanan Hotel.

In the 1940s and 50s it was known as Ferrari (The Corner House) restaurant. During the Ferrari hay days the place was used for pre match team lunches for Celtic Football teams.

The Buchanan Bar was next door to the well-known Five Ways Bar.

The Five Ways Lounge and The Buchanan Bar on the left hand side.

The Buchanan Bar and Lounge and Restaurant sold Tennent’s Lager.

By the late 1950s and 60s Thomas G Dick was licensee of these premises which was now a public house owned by Tennent Caledonian Breweries.

Thomas G Dick was also licensee of another five premises including 67 Cambridge Street, 179 London Road, 88 Whitevale Street and two on the Gallowgate no. 514 and 616.

The main pub was on the ground floor there was a staircase which took you upstairs, the first floor was the Lounge Bar, second floor was the Oak Room which was used as a function room. The Off Sales was entered from the main street.

One of the workers in the Buchanan Bar was a Mr Dudley Walker for 1967-69, he remembers the manager Davie Bennett who hailed from Jersey. In 1972 the licensee was a Mr Kenneth William James Beaton.

Thanks to Mr Dudley Walker.

Do you remember this old favourite Bar in the City? If so please leave a comment.

END.