Old Glasgow Pubs

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Prince of Wales

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222 Dalmarnock Road, Glasgow.

The Prince of Wales was built in the 1850s and owned by Wine Merchant and Portioner James Maxwell. When Mr Maxwell passed away his wife Mary became license holder and sold the pub in the late 1860s. William Auchterlonie took over the pub in 1871. Mr Auchterlonie was born in Kinghorn, Fife in 1820, he lived in Newhall Terrace with his wife Mary and six children before moving to better accommodation to Landerneau, Rutherglen. William’s son David and nephew David Simpson worked with him in the running of the pub. His nephew also stayed with him in the family home. Business prospered and William took over another pub at 205-07 Main Street, Gorbals ten years later.

Here the “Black Prince” and Andrha Osie used to reign supreme, the pub had the sign of the Prince of Wales feathers above the doorway.

His son David went on to become licensee of the Cot Bar at 182 London Road at the corner of Queen Mary Street, and a pub at 143 Broad Street

The pub stayed in the family until 1926, Jessie Auchterlonie was the last in the family to run the pub, she also held the certificate for 207-09 Main Street, Gorbals, on the south side of the city.

William J Donaghey took over the pub in 1927 until the 1930s, the last license holder was E Harper.

The Prince of Wales Tavern

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3 Cranston Street, Anderston, Glasgow.

The Prince of Wales Tavern Cranston Street

The Prince of Wales Tavern. 1940s.

To read the full history of this old Tavern. keep an eye out for our second book Here.

In 1893 the Prince of Wales Feathers adorned its frontage, when you got close up to the entrance you could distinctly read the letters, though hoary with age, “Ich Dien”- “I Serve” – a very appropriate motto in every sense. Mr Blakely was the landlord then, he was well-known in trade circles.

The Popes Eye Tavern

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31 Argyle Street, Glasgow.

Mr Walter Coombs proprietor of the Popes Eye Tavern. 1895.

Walter Coombs took over the Pope Eye Tavern in 1895.

To read more on the history of the Pope Eye Tavern keep an eye out for our second book here.

In 1902 Mr Coombs took over the popular Borgie Rest, Main Street, Cambuslang.

The Borgie Rest on the right with the Swiss Rest and the Athletic Bar.

Walter had a special blend of old Scotch Whisky called “The Borgie” There is also an area called the Borgie in Cambuslang. Walter lived out here at Walter Bank house, Bushyhill. He was a keen Freemason and a member of the Order Oddfellow Manchester Unity, a steward in Lodge Commercial and a keen golfer.

Mr Walter Coombs. 1903.

Another view of the Borgie Rest which is on the left. Note the tram which is full of people.

The Borgie Rest on the right.

In the NEWS…

The Borgie Rest tenanted by Walter Coombs, proprietor of the Pope’s Eye has been entered by burglars. Admittance had been secured from the neighbouring close, by removing part of the brick partition, a most dangerous proceeding since there are 2 flats of dwellings above, and the shop is situated in the main street. About one hundred yards from the police station. A sum of 30/- was abstracted from the drawer, the rest of the cash having been removed to the safe, while a quantity of whisky and drinkables were stolen. The thieves out of revenge turned on every available tap, with the result that fully £1000 worth of stock was wantonly destroyed. The premises were unfortunately uninsured against burglary.

With thanks to L Fisher, Glasgow for sending us this photo of a whisky flagon that says ‘With Christmas Greetings from Walter Coombs. Pope’s Eye and Borgie Rest. Glasgow & Cambuslang’

Do you have any information about the Borgie Rest or the Athletic Vaults? If so please get in touch.