Maryhill Road

757 Maryhill Road, Glasgow.

The H.L.I. Bar stood at the corner of Maryhill Road and Kelvinside Avenue. This old pub was formerly known as the Kelvinside Bar.

The pipers of the H.L.I. march proudly along Maryhill Road. After the parade they would march back up Maryhill Road to the barracks. 1970s.

This photograph was taken in the summer of 1959, on a cruise doon that water with the Scottish Benevolent. Left to right J Sime, Clachan Bar, Paisley Road West; N Andrew, H.L.I.; J T Wharry, Director of Campbell and Clark Ltd.

This photograph was taken at the refurbishment of the H.L.I. Bar in 1957. Left to right Captain A G Ingram, adjutant, H.L.I.; Mr D Anderson, artist; N Andrew, licence-holder; Colonel Robert Younger, chairman, Robert Younger Ltd.; J B Millar, managing director, Robert Younger’s: Major B S M Carson, Commander, Maryhill Depot, H.L.I.; and D Ross, Director, Robert Younger’s. In the background is J Webster, Change-Hand.

One of the brightest and most attractive pieces of re-decoration seen for a long time had been completed at the H.L.I. Bar in Maryhill Road, Glasgow.

The name in view of events, had been happily chosen, but it was selected long in advance of the present publicity for the affair of the H.L.I.

The idea, in fact, came from a customer. He suggested the Happy Lad’s Inn, using the initials of the H.L.I. It was decided to use the letters and not the words, but the customer got the prize of a bottle of whisky for all that. So now with the prospect of an H.L.I./R.S.F. merger, the public house will acquire something of an historic interest.

In a measure it had that already, of course, for the theme of its decoration is entirely H.L.I. and official blessing, as it were, was given to the project by the presence as a guest at the opening of Major B S M Carson, commander of the H.L.I. Depot at Maryhill Barracks.

The sentry in his sentry box is now displayed at the re-opened Maryhill Burgh Halls… Thanks to Gordon Barr, Heritage Devolopment Officer.

Above the long gantry was a most handsome mural painting of men of the H.L.I. in the regiment’s various uniforms. The artist, Mr Douglas Anderson, had specialised in military painting, and he at one time was adjutant of the H.L.I.’s 1st Battalion. He was still associated with that regiment as honorary curator of the H.L.I.’s regimental museum.

For the walls he had painted a series of studies of the regiment’s headdress from 1777 onwards. And to adorn the pubs facade he had carved and painted a striking effigy in wood of an H.L.I. braw laddie.

Mr Anderson’s mural had been given a coating of a special preparation which, when it dirties, may be removed and re-applied again without harming the painting or affecting its colouring in any way.

Manager John Johnstone with some of the items of the Military collection in the H.L.I. Bar. 1970.

The collection of the H.L.I. Bar in Maryhill Road, Glasgow, really starts outside the premises, at the small-scale sentry box complete with Highland Light Infantry soldier on guard.

Then in the entrance-way there was a stained glass window containing the H.L.I. badge, one of the many such representations in the bar.

Inside were other regimental items, the main ones being a mural of the H.L.I. dress throughout its history and six paintings of regimental headgear ranging from 1777 to 1957.

All the art work was done by local artist Douglas Anderson a former H.L.I. officer, he was called on by the former owners in 1957 (Scottish & Newcastle Breweries took over the licence three years later) to do the decor and decided on the theme of the regiment’s dress in the mural and its headgear in the six portraits.

The mural was a great conversation point with customers and visitors of the bar, some of whom, especially in the late evenings, dispute technical points about the work.

There was one regular who posts himself opposite the mural, points to the big soldier on the left-hand side of the painting and declares to those around: “See that fella? Ah sodgered wi’ him.”

Unfortunately for that old sweat I have the artist’s word for it that there is no such person. “Although I was stationed with the regiment at that time there were no models used for the model,” stated Douglas.

Artist Douglas also did the sentry box model which H.L.I. Bar manager John Johnstone decorated with fairy lights during the Christmas celebrations. “The lit-up landmark proved so popular in the district that we’ve kept it that way ever since,” said John.

Other decorations inside the bar included an alcove pelmet done in bonnet dicing; some plumed dress helmets and four breastplates (one marked “Klingenthal Juin 1828”) which were fine for effect but didn’y appear to have any real link with the regiment; a couple of carved H.L.I. plaques; and a belt buckle of the Royal Highland Fusiliers, the regiment created out of the merging of the Highland Light Infantry and the Royal Scots Fusiliers.

John became manager, with his wife Nancy as assistant, at the H.L.I. Bar in 1968 after 15 years in the Merchant Navy, but he does have a strong link with the regiment in that his father was a bandsman in the H.L.I. and was a life member of the regimental club.

The bar being within rifleshot of Maryhill Barracks many of its customers were local men who served in their regiment, and there were also serving soldiers and ex-soldiers who make sentimental journeys back because of their Service days in the district.

“For this reason I’d really like to get some unit photographs,” said John, who felt this would give ex-H.L.I. members a chance to identify even more with their regimental “headquarters.”

1674 Maryhill Road, Glasgow.

This photograph was taken in the 1960s.

There has been a pub on this site since the early 1800s. This part of Maryhill Road was called Main Street, the pubs address was at no 114.

In 1887 John D Hunter took over the business formerly owned by Mr Bowes. Mr Hunter was born in Maryhill not far from the old pub, he received his education in the Mechanics Institution, Glasgow under the able tutelage of Mr Adams. He showed such aptitude and diligence in his studies that a more than usually firm friendship sprung up between master and pupil, so much so that when Mr Adams left the Institution to open up his own in Hampton Court Terrace, Renfrew Street, young Hunter followed him and remained under his guidance for a further three years.

His first job was not that he was trained for, but moved to the drapery trade as cash boy with the well known firm of Messrs Arnott & Company, warehousemen, Jamaica Street. He received a thorough training and knowledge of the trade for five years before being a fully trained draper. Young Hunter met with an accidental injury at work and had to leave the Jamaica Street firm, however he made a full recovery.

Mrs Brown, an aunt, carried on a licensed business in Maryhill at the time, John found himself assisting her in the running of the business for four years. Anxious to strike out on his own, the premises at 114 Maryhill Road came on the market formerly owned by spirit merchant Mr Bowes.

John Hunter was one of the originators of the Maryhill Football Club and was president since its inception. He displayed all the clubs trophies and cups in his public house, on one side of the gantry the massive Scottish Junior Challenge Cup won by the team in 1900, on the other side was the Glasgow Evening News Charity Cup and the Maryhill Charity Cup.

Mr Hunter loved all kinds of outdoor sports, he was a keen bowler and president of the Maryhill Club, he played a good round of golf with the North Western Golf Club and was a cyclist with the Hampton Cycling Club. He was one of sixteen men who inaugurated the Mounted Infantry of the 1st Dumbartonshire Rifle Volunteers, with which corps he remained for four years. In that time he would be drilling at the Barracks for two months, three mornings a week at a quarter to seven.

He inherited a fondness for animals, his late father was a well known and respected carting contractor in Port Dundas. He was a capital horseman and a good judge of horses. He was also a curler and played with the Kelvindock Club winning many prizes.

In 1889 Mr Hunter married Miss Lennie, eldest daughter of William Lennie, licensed grocer, Maryhill, who’s business was carried on for three generations in Maryhill.

Peter Kieran’s Bar.

Peter Kieran took over the pub in 1911 paying an annul rent of £60, he also had a pub at 18 Govan Street, Glasgow now known as Ballater Street. When Peter passed away his wife Elizabeth took over the licence, she sold the business to Hector Miller.

It was finally demolished after a fire broke out in 1969. The City Council bought the pub and ground in November a year beforehand for the sum of £30.000. The Council had plans to build on the site between 1971 and 1975.

Francis J Kieran. 1962.

Peter Kieran trained his son Francis J Kieran the trade at an early age, Francis took over the Crown L Bar, 73 West Clyde Street, Helensburgh in 1947. The pub was one of the smallest pub in Scotland, he had an extension added in 1962. The new extension with its crown and barrel effects on the frontage, proved what must be one of the most striking and imaginative public house exteriors in Helensburgh. The extension provided a handsome and tastefully decorated lounge which was opened by Provost of Helensburgh, Mr J McLeod Williamson, who commended Mr Kieran on providing such splendid premises for the people of Helensburgh and the many visitors to the town.

The Crown L Bar, Helensburgh. 1962.

The Provost said he was sure that his colleagues on the bench would be amazed at the standards achieved in this new building, and on behalf of the municipality he wished Mr Kieran every success. Mr Kieran’s premises, the Provost added, had always been well conducted and it was certain that in this new amenity Mr Kieran would be enabled to offer the public an even better service than before. After the Provost had pulled the first pint, Mr Kieran thanked him for having formerly opened the new extension and also expressed thanks to the architect, Mr O Swan, and the contractors.

Also see Kelvin Dock.

Mr John Hunter. 1901.

Licence Holders.

1969 Hector Miller.

1960-1937 Elizabeth Kieran.

1937-1911 Peter Kieran.

1910-1887 John Hunter.

1887- 18 Mr Bowes.

1482-88 Maryhill Road, Glasgow. G20 9AD.Tel: 01419466580.

Harvey’s Bar. 1991.

Harvey’s is situated at the corner of Maryhill Road and Lochburn Road. The pub was previously known as Whisky Mac’s, and originally called the Wyndford Vaults. The address was formerly 132 Wyndford Street. The Wyndford Vaults was owned by Hugh Wallace Bryce in 1899.

Old Wyndford Vaults. 1953.

This photograph was taken in the summer of 1953 on a Sunday when all Glasgow pubs closed. The customers and friends were ready for a fun day out on the occasion of the annual outing doon the water. Licensee William Ward and Mr Martin manager with his fiancee are in the middle standing.

email from Stephen McGuire : My father gave me information on Harvey’s Bar, before it was Whisky Macs it was called the Wyndford Tavern from the early 1900s. The Lochburn Bar previously McFarlane’s for many years, this bar was directly across from Harvey’s Bar on Gairbraid Ave and Maryhill Road Junction.

Whisky Macs. 1980s

Harvey’s, August 2005.

Licence Holders.

1973-1965 James Raymond Tresnan.