12 Stirling Street, Glasgow. Now Blackfriar Street.

The Kingshead Inn.

In 1787 Landlord John Drummond wasn’t just any old spirit merchant he was also a Police Dundeon Contractor.

The entrance of the Kingshead Inn.

31 South Portland Street, Gorbals, Glasgow.

Mr William Neilson. 1887.

William Neilson was born in Glasgow in the 1840s. After leaving school he learned the trade of Marine engineering. After his apprenticeship he went to the United States of American and Canada and held responsible positions in some of the principal Railways both in the States and the Dominion. After several years he went to Peru, he was for twelve years employed on land and sea, principally on Sugar and Rum Plantations. While in Peru he was entrusted with the charge of the engineering department and held in high esteem by his employers as a most capable engineer. One of the most exciting episodes in his life was the prominent part he was compelled to take in the engagements between the Chileans and Peruvians.

While on the plantation of Mr Swaine, a Scotsman, they were repeatedly harassed by one side or the other, and it was only by payments of large sums of money that the property was saved from destruction by the marsauders, who on one occasion, killed upwards of 1200 China-men employed on the estate. On several of these occasions Mr Neilson was in great danger of his life, and had to take refuge on British ships. In these revolutionary wars that convulsed the country, he had on many occasions to hoist the British flag for protection; but the most terrible scene, of which he was an eye witness, was the capture of Sima by the Chileans, when seven thousand Peruvians and five thousand Chilieans were slaughtered in the streets of the town, and it was only by the intervention of the foreign Consuls that further scenes of horror and atrocity were avoided. After this he came back to Scotland.

The King’s Arms corner of Oxford and South Portland Street.

On his return he opened a public house in South Portland Street at the corner of Oxford Street. He had great knowledge of the west coast of South America which made him an authority on some parts of that country.

William Neilson’s pub became known as the Kings Arms, a well known local in the Gorbals. The pub was taken over in 1896 to wine and spirit merchant Robert Shields. George and John MacLachlan of Castle Bars owned this property and leased the business to various publicans for many years. Mr Shields paid an annul rent of £90 to the MacLachlan brothers.

Robert Shields resided at 12 Lorne Terrace, Maryhill and travelled daily to his pub on South Portland Street before going to his other premises at 155 Queen Street (Crammond Bar).

During the First World War the pub was taken over by Alexander Young who continued to serve the locals until his death during the second world war. His wife Mary then took over the licence.

James Mulholland will still be remembered by many as landlord during the 1960s, he also owned a pub at 20 Greenhaugh Street, Govan. The last publican to run the pub was a Mr Whyte, he continued running the pub until it was finally closed down and demolished in the 1970s.

44 Bath Street, Glasgow.

The Kimberley Bar. 1889.

The Kimberley Bar was formerly known as the Tivoli Bar. The owner Mr James McMillan ran a strict business selling good quality wines, spirits and beer. The oblong saloon which formed the interior was spotless, the bar counter ran all the way to one side with a curve at each end. The gantry was stocked full with wines, brandies and numerous rare liquors well displayed. A small keg was at hand selling “McMillan’s Special” blend of old Scotch whisky. Outside and immediately in front of the bar, was an immense floor space, with grand looking tables and veneer seated stools, facing the bar and extending the whole length of the saloon were long cushioned seats with neat iron tables in front. Heading down the two comfortable sitting rooms at the extreme end of the premises. The lavatory was conveniently mirrored with grand tiles on the walls and floor.

The interior was decorated with pictures and engravings, prominent amongst them was the Kimberley and others of the famous diamond fields bearing the name. Mr McMillan spent many years of his life digging for diamonds, he spent a great time telling stories of his experiences mining in the camps at Kimberley. He left Cape-town in 1879 on a bullock wagon with his face towards the diamond fields and travelled 900 miles roughing it to come home to Scotland. The small party in which he belonged to jogged along with their train of 18 bullocks, they pitched tents under the wagons.

Mr McMillan was one of the fortunate ones of having some money in his pocket as thousands of men, women and children mined for diamonds and never made any money. When he returned to Glasgow he took over the old Tivoli Bar and had interests in the Victoria Hotel in Gourock, a hostelry well looked after by his brother William.

39 Houston Street / corner of 90 Watt Street, Glasgow.

Left to right James McDevitt of the Killearn Bar; John Boyle of Dixon Blazes; and Peter Byrne of the New Hawthorn Bar. 1975.

The Killearn Bar sometimes called McDevitt’s Bar sat at the corner of Houston Street and Watt Street in the south side of Glasgow.

There has been a public house on this site since 1868. Thomas Little was the first licensee. Mr Little resided next door to his pub. Thomas Little continued as licensee until 1889.

In 1893 Duncan Menzies was the licence holder, he lived at 48 Plantation Street before moving to 3 Wallacegrove Street. Duncan traded here until 1897.

Hugh Doherty was the next landlord from 1898 to 1916. Hugh also had a popular bar at 108 Rottenrow and 16 South Wellington Street.

In 1916 Patrick J Greenan took over the licence. Patrick lived with his family at 94 Alexandra Parade in the East End of the City. Mr Greenan continued in the bar after the Second World War.

In 1955 Charles Gibson was running the pub.

Charles Gibson starting the task of taking pennies of this large mirror. 1955. The money collected from the mirror will go to the Eastpark Home for Infirm Children, Glasgow.

This was a regular thing in those days, locals would stick coins onto a large mirror by means of putting beer on a coin and placing in on the mirror, when dried it set like glue. This was done for charity. The hard work was trying to get the coins off the mirror. On many occasions this discoloured the mirror and in some cases cracked them.

In 1950 John Boyd was a well known figure in the pub.

In the 1960s Many will remember Jessie Hastie who ran the pub before James F McDevitt who acquire the licence on 8th March 1966. The McDevitt family continued in the pub until it was finally demolished in the late 70s early 1980s.

James F McDevitt also ran a popular bar in Norfolk Street called J McDevitt formerly known as the Garry Owen Bar.

Glasgow Visitors to Harp Lager.

A party of licensees’ from Glasgow who visited the Harp Lager Brewery in Edinburgh were welcomed by Mr. A. T. Wilson, Scottish sales manager, Harp Lager, and accompanied by Mr. D. Crines, Scottish & Newcastle Breweries Ltd., and Mr. R. Simpson, Arthur Guinness Son & Co. Ltd.

Pictured at the brewery, before lunching at the Barnton Hotel are: Mr. and Mrs. J. McDevitt, 39 Houston Street, Glasgow; Mr. J. Lynd and Miss Lynd, 73 West Princess Street, Glasgow; Mr. J. Hastings and partner, 1097 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow; Mr. & Mrs. Alexander, 158 Main Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow; Mr. John Hutton and Mr. Craigen, 163 Maxwelltown Avenue, East Kilbride; Mr. R. Shirley, The Moorings, Arrochar; Mr. and Mrs. J. Dunne, Darnley Street, Glasgow; Mr. Wilson; Mr. Crines; and Mr. Simpson. 1973.

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In the News 1974…

After the a.g.m. last week of the Glasgow Association in the Bellahouston Hotel, members were entertained to hospitality by several host companies: Ind Coope; White Horse; United Rum Merchants; Schweppes and Player’s. Pictured above are: D. Wood (White Horse); I. Parsons (Schweppes); W. A. Morrison; Miss Irene Gillon: D. A. MacLean; J. Young; A. Stewart; and J. McDevitt. 1974.

17 John Street, Glasgow. G1. Tel: 0141 552 6099.

Formerly known as Cuba Norte now called Favela 2005.

35 Great Western Road, Glasgow.

The Keep Lounge Bar and Off-Sales

The Keep Bar was adjacent to St. George’s Cross Subway Station.

The photograph above was taken in 1964.

Next door to the Keep was the well known Wood & Selby Stores.

This 1930s postcard was taken from St. George’s Cross with Great Western Road on the left.

Another view of the Keep. 1970s.