Main Street, Baillieston, Glasgow.
Utopia. 2005.
It’s now a Chinese restaurant.
U
Uisge beatha
232 Woodlands Road, G3 6ND. Tel: 01413320473.
Uisge Beatha. 1991.
Uisge Beatha meaning Water of Life, sold ales from the Glaschu Brewery which closed it’s doors in 1996, the local residents complained repeatedly about the smell from the micro brewery.
In latin distilled liquid became known as “Aqua Vitae” or “water of life.” The celts for auae vitae is uisce breatha and its shortened form gives us the word whisky.
There has been a pub on this site since 1905, James Young McLaren was licensee here until the end of the First World War. The pub then was very small and nothing like it is today. When the Second World War broke out Ernest Sydney Gilmour was the landlord of this old pub.
In 1955 well known and respected Glasgow publican George Grier took over the pub and the neighboring shops which was Isa McLardy, confectioner, Kirkwood’s boot makers and Robertson’s electrical engineers. The pub was then called the 3 in 1Bar which consisted of a main bar, a lounge and a cocktail bar.
To read more on the Grier family and their pubs, check back soon for our second book.
During the 1960s and 70s James Grieve was running this pub.
The pub is now called the Dram.
Some of the pubs the Grier family owned…
The Trossachs Bar in 31 Parson Street, Townhead.
3 in 1 Bar, 238 Woodlands Road.
Nia Roo, 599 Nitshill Road.
Square Rig, Crossland Road, Govan.
The 111 Bar in Castle Street.
Anchor Bar in Kelvinhaugh Street.
The Union Cafe
116 Union Street, Glasgow.
Note the Union Jack stained glass panels in the window which is now displayed in the HorseShoe bar in Drury Street.
To read the full history of this popular city centre bar, check back soon for our second book.
Another view of the Union.
The Umbrella. Cactus. The Drayman’s Arms.
3 Dalmarnock Road, 13 Bridgeton Cross, Glasgow. G40. Closed.
Umbrella Bar. 1991.
This old Bridgeton landmark has been here since 1875. The owner William Hillcoat owned some of the best established pub in the city of Glasgow including premises on the Broomielaw, Anderston Quay, Trongate, Stockwell Street, Port Dundas Road and Pollokshaws Road.
One of the largest advertising mirrors in Glasgow hung on one of the walls in Hillcoat’s Bar, the cellars held 50 hogsheads of Younger’s and McEwan’s beers.
When William Hillcoat died his brother Archibald took over the running of the business, Archibald died shortly afterwards after a game of golf. The pubs were taken over by his nephew Robert Hutchison who during the First World War spent time in the army fighting in Egypt, as a result of him in the forces George Burden took over the establishments.
In the 1930s the Graham family took over the pub at Bridgeton Cross then the Reilly’s before Teacher’s took over in 1951.
In 1962 Tennent Caledonian Breweries refurbished the premises and changed the name to The Cactus and Colorado, with a South American Aztec theme.
Over the years the licence fell into the hands of many publicans. The pub got a bad name as being a stab inn, as many fights and drug dealing went on within the walls of this old establishment, the Hillcoat family would be turning in their graves as to what happened to their Bridgeton pub. The pub over the years has been known as Hillcoat’s, Teacher’s, the Brig, The Cactus and Colorado, the Umbrella and Drayman’s Arms which closed down a few years ago and is still closed today.
Mr Armstrong was the development Director of United Caledonian Breweries.
Mr Milne was the interior design consultant for United Caledonian Breweries.
Do you remember this old pub? If so please leave a comment.
END.
Ubiquitous Chip
12-26 Ashton lane, Glasgow. G12 8SJ. Tel: 01413390747.
Ubiquitous Chip. 1991.
In the NEWS 1977…
The Champion…
Dining out is a popular way of spending an evening. But finding a restaurant which combines attractive surroundings with good food and which doesn’t charge a fortune can pose a small problem.
Well, one thing fits the bill is The Ubiquitous Chip, which is situated in Ashton Lane, off Byres Road, on Glasgow’s West End.
Because passers-by could easily miss this inconspicuous spot, the owners have had to rely on word of mouth recommendations for their restaurant, and there are plenty of these.
Much frequented by staff at the nearby university and hospital, the Ubiquitous Chip has an off-beat, restful air. It is decorated with white stone walls, beamed ceiling and natural wood tables and chairs. Entry is by way of a charming covered courtyard.
The cuisine tends to be traditionally Scottish and the owners place the emphasis on fresh food cooked to order. Their Kipper pate has proved a popular starter and mouth watering main courses include Musselburgh pie (meat pie with mussels), loin of pork with sweet peppers, Inverness venison with rowan jelly and (at weekends only) fresh mussels stuffed with garlic, butter, parsley, and cheese. To follow there are such sweets as homemade Caledonian ice-cream with bannocks and carageen mould with oatmeal cream, a traditional dish made with seaweed brought specially from South Uist.
The Ubiquitous Chip, which is open from lunch and dinner every day except Sunday, also has a £1.85 three-course lunchtime menu. A good three course dinner is reckoned to cost under the £4.00 mark.
As yet, the restaurant doesn’t have a licence, but I was told, “We are awaiting confirmation of a table licence.” This will make little change to their present system of allowing patrons to bring in their own wine, but will mean that wines will be available for those who want them.
The restaurant can seat about 90 and there is also a room suitable for dinner parties of up to 40 people. This is already much in demand for retirement presentations, faculty dinners and gourmet evenings.
Ubiquitous Chip advert 1977.
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Ubiquitous Chip Ashton Lane. 2007.
Umbrella
3 Dalmarnock Road, 13 Bridgeton Cross, Glasgow. G40.
Umbrella Bar. 1991.
This old Bridgeton landmark has been here since 1875. The owner William Hillcoat owned some of the best established pub in the city of Glasgow including premises on the Broomielaw, Anderston Quay, Trongate, Stockwell Street, Port Dundas Road and Pollokshaws Road.
One of the largest advertising mirrors in Glasgow hung on one of the walls in Hillcoat’s Bar, the cellars held 50 hogsheads of Younger’s and McEwan’s beers.
When William Hillcoat died his brother Archibald took over the running of the business, Archibald died shortly afterwards after a game of golf. The pubs were taken over by his nephew Robert Hutchison who during the First World War spent time in the army fighting in Egypt, as a result of him in the forces George Burden took over the establishments.
Interior view of the Cactus Lounge. 1962.
In the 1930s the Graham family took over the pub at Bridgeton Cross then the Reilly’s before Teacher’s took over in 1951.
In 1962 Tennent Caledonian Breweries refurbished the premises and changed the name to The Cactus and Colorado, with a South American Aztec theme.
Interior of the Cactus Bar. 1962. Interior views of the the Lounge. 1962.
Over the years the licence fell into the hands of many publicans. The pub got a bad name as being a stab inn, as many fights and drug dealing went on within the walls of this old establishment, the Hillcoat family would be turning in their graves as to what happened to their Bridgeton pub. The pub over the years has been known as Hillcoat’s, Teacher’s, the Brig, The Cactus and Colorado, the Umbrella and Drayman’s Arms which closed down a few years ago and is still closed today.
The Drayman’s Arms, August 2005.