Water Row, Govan, Glasgow.
The Waverley circa 1860s sat on Water Row, Govan just off Govan Road.
Records show that there had been an Inn in the Water Row (which leads to an ancient river ford) since the 16th century. King James V (1512-1542) is said to have drunk there while travelling through Scotland disguised as the “Guid Man of Ballengeich” to find out for himself the state of his kingdom. By the late 18th century the Inn was managed by David Dreghorn and the monthly meetings of the “White Wine Club” were held there. The Club members were Glasgow gentlemen who came to eat salmon caught in the River Clyde and drank copious amounts of whisky, which they referred to as “White Wine.”
In the 19th century the Inn became known as the Waverley Tavern, popularly known as the “Buc” for the proprietors name was Mr Buchanan. It was especially popular on Saturday afternoons and evenings, when the clientele gathered to drink porter and eat hot meat pies. Around 1900 the licence was transferred to a pub in Langlands Road.
Thanks to the Mitchell Library.
Other Water Row Pubs…
In 1852 Mrs A Buchanan owned the Waverley Tavern, Water Row.
James Couper a grocer and Spirit Dealer, Water Row.
Neil B Dalveen owned the Banks of Clyde Tavern, 3 Water Row.