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The Hebridean Vaults

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377 Argyle Street,Glasgow.

Etch of the Hebridean Vaults

The Hebridean Vaults. 1888.

The Hebridean Vaults sat at the corner of Argyle Street and James Watt Street. Before Anderston became part of Glasgow this was just a country road known as Anderston Walk. An old howff was situated on this site called “Peace and Plenty.” In 1844 landlord David Limont ran this old howff along with a popular public house on Bridge Street, Stevenson Taylor later took over this pub and is now familiarly known as the Glaswegian.

John Fisher was running the pub in 1875, he had several pubs in Glasgow and was very successful in his time. In 1888 partners Mr W C Bunten and Mr A A McCallum was running this pub and renames it the Hebridean Vaults. Mr Bunten gave his personal attention to the business, he sent his early days at sea. After filling the various pasts as cabin boy to steward he found himself ashore and in possession of a certificate to run a pub. Mr Bunten’s business partner Mr McCallum had very little to do with the running of the pub, he stayed on board the “Hebridean” Steamer which left the Broomielaw to St. Kilda, he only ventured into the pub when when he came to port.

The pub was frequented by many sailors from all over the world, a good stock of whisky was always available at the Hebridean Vaults including Talisker, Islay, Campbeltown, Long John, good quality ale was also kept in the cool cellars.

In 1890 Charles Marchant took over the pub paying an annul rent of £197, his son also Charles had a pub at 218 Broomielaw, young Charles served in the First World War at which time his wife took over the running of the pub. Charles Marchant sen. ran the Hebridean Vaults until the 1920s. In the 30s the pub was run by wine & spirit Merchant William Brown.

Many will remember Edward Foley, he owned the pub in the 1950s – 60s, and the known as the Stag Bar, he also ran the Station Bar, Port Dundas Road, Glasgow. The pub was demolished shortly afterwards due to the City Council’s redevelopment scheme.

The Heather Bar

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561 Scotland Street, Glasgow.

This old Glasgow howff dates back to 1877 when James McLauchlan acquired it. The address of the premises was then 157-59 West Scotland Street. As West Scotland Street expanded with new tenement buildings and shop the address changed to 161-63 West Scotland Street. James McLauchlan continued to serve the locals here until 1903.

James Smith then acquired the pub on on 29th June 1903. Mr Smith paid an annual rent of £49. The pub was situated at the corner of Broomhall Street.

The address was changed once again when Kinning Park became part of Glasgow and the whole of West Scotland Street became known as Scotland Street. The name of Broomhall Street also changed and became known as Heather Street, hence the name of the pub.

During the early 1930s John Sutherland was the owner, then Peter Forbes. In 1950 Duncan Campbell Spiers was the new owner. Many will still remember Breata Corr who ran the pub in 1960. By 1973 the pub was closed down.

In the News 1971…

Alcoholic boss spent £350 a week.

When £800 went missing from a Glasgow public house suspicion fell on the new chargehand, who was found to be an alcoholic with a police record. The chargehand had taken the money to London, where he enjoyed a seven-day spending spree in which he got through 3350 before being arrested.

Glasgow Sheriff Court was told this today when John McSherry was jailed for two years. He admitted that between January 25 and February 9 this year, while employed as chargehand in the Heather Bar, 561 Scotland Street, Tradeston, Glasgow, he embezzled £800.

Referring to McSherry’s record of four previous convictions for housebreaking, Sheriff T. A. U. Wood described it as extraordinary that he should be given a job as a public house chargehand. The Sheriff remarked, “He must have been living fairly well in London when he spent £350 in a week.”

“Very Lucky”

The Sheriff told McSherry “Anyone with a record like this, who is in charge of a public house for two or three weeks and takes £800 would normally go to the High Court. I will send you to prison for two years, and you can think yourself very lucky indeed.”

Fiscal William Carmichael said McSherry failed to open the public house on February 10 and the owners were contacted by customers. The £800 was missing and it was discovered that McSherry had done no banking since January 29. Police inquiries revealed he had not been at his lodgings at 8 Swindon Street, Dalmuir, for several days.

£450 Left

On February 17 London police heard about a man had been living in various hotels in the West End of London under different names, and their inquiries led to the arrest of McSherry in the Shaftesbury Hotel. He had £450 left. Solicitor Mr Raymond Bainbriggs said McSherry was 35 and separated from his wife and two children. He earned £20 a week as chargehand.

He had received treatment as an alcoholic, but recovered sufficiently to get a job in a public house in London. He was given a reference which enabled him to get the job in the Heather Bar.

Other pubs on Scotland Street…

Ailsa Craig, 615.
Galloway Bar, 411.
Heather Bar the, 561.
Howwood Bar the, 531.
Islay Bar, 234 .
Morven Bar, 332.
Rose & Crown the, 471-73.
Royal Bar, 453.
Scotia Bar, 286.
Shandon the, 360.
Speakeasy. 8

Havana Bar

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192 Cumberland Street corner of 207.5 Thistle Street, Gorbals, Glasgow.

Peter Gallagher pulling a pint at the Bon-Accord, North Street

Peter Gallagher pulling a pint at the opening of the Bon Accord in 1971.

Peter Gallagher was 43 years of age when he opened the Bon Accord in 1971, his first public house he acquired was in 86 Abbotsford Place, (the Rising Sun), Gorbals in 1951, he was then one of the youngest licensees in Glasgow.

Peter also owned a pub at 350 St Vincent Street, (The North Star Bar).

This history of the Havana Bar can be traded back to 1857 when spirit merchant Hugh McLean acquired a licence to sell Porter, Beer, Wine’s and Spirits. He only served the local for a few years before David Allan took over. He only lasted a year in the pub before David McGill took over. He also lasted a few years and sold up in 1861, however he acquired another public house at 5 John Street, Bridgeton.

In 1863 George Millar a grocer & Wine Merchant took over the business. Mr Millar lasted a bit longer in the business until 1880. In 1870 George Millar also owned a pub at 72 Gloucester Street. Millar lived with his family at 198 Cumberland Street not far from his pub.

In 1881 Allan Cameron was licensee, he also had premises at 102 Waddell Street, Gorbals and lived at 44 Apsley Place. In 1899 he was paying an annual rent of £75. Allan Cameron stayed licensee until 1910.

William MacPherson MacDonald took over in 1911. William had to run his business through WW1 which was very hard going, especially when beer and whisky was in short supply, some days he was forced to close shop when a delivery failed to arrive at the pub, this was quite common during war times.

During the 1930s Patrick J McKernan was licensee. James Barr during the 1940s, Maurice F Digby in the 1950s followed by Peter Gallagher in the 1960s and 70s. Peter Gallagher was the last to hold the licence before the pub was demolished in the early part of 1970s.

This old pub was also called the Cosy Bar.