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Bucks Head Inn.

November 11, 2016 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

Argyle Street, Corner of Dunlop Street, Glasgow.

The Bucks Head Inn.

Thomas Fairbairn’s view of the Buck’s Head Hotel, built on the corner of Dunlop and Argyle Streets in 1757 by John Murdoch, a leading tobacco merchant and three times a lord provost. It became a hotel in 1790. The building of similar design to the left of the hotel on Argyle Street was built by Colin Dunlop of Carmyle, another tobacco merchant and lord provost.

The Bucks Head Hotel. Thanks to the Mitchell Library.

During the so-called Radical War of April 1820 the Buck’s Head was occupied by the City Magistrates and by men of the 7th and 10th Hussars. The cavalry’s horses were kept saddled in the courtyard behind the building, ready to carry the troops into action against radical insurgents. However, the “rising” quickly fizzled out and the cavalry did not see action. Thanks to the Mitchell Library.

From Old Glasgow Club.1923-24. The Buck’s Head was built about 1750 in Argyll Street as a residence for Provost Murdock, the site being the east corner of Dunlop Street. Alongside stood the companion house of Colin Dunlop of Carmyle, and this last was taken down only last year for a clothier’s premises and a picture house.

The landlord was Peter Jardine, who married a widow, Mrs Currie, with a dashing daughter, who was the first to drive a two-horsed phaeton in the city. This Inn had a gilt stag’s head, and was reached by two side stairs rising from the pavement, as in the Old Tolbooth at the Cross.

In 1820 the town was crowded with troops, about 7,000 in all, a radical rising being feared, and the officers of the 10th Hussars were lodged in the Buck’s Head.

When on duty a young officer was assailed by hooligans and called an aristocratic coward. One of them tried to drag him down by the jacket, but the officer pitched him on to the pavement. His companions came to his aid, but the young Hussar disposed of each of them in turn. The Inn began its existence in 1790, and finally closed in 1863.

One of the earliest recorded acid attacks occurred in the Buck’s Head Inn on the 2nd of August 1833. A servant of the Inn called Mr Hugh Kennedy attacked Mr James Goodwin AKA “Head Boots” of the establishment. Mr Kennedy was hanged in Glasgow for his crime in early 1834 and didn’t tell anyone of his motive for the attack. Thanks to our reader James Simpson for his research on the acid attack.

Bucks Head Buildings.

A reminder that the old Bucks Head Inn stood on this site at Argyle Street. An A listed building at the corner of Dunlop Street next to where Debenhams is today.

Do you remember any of the Old Pubs on Argyle Street? If so please leave a comment.

END.

Buchanan Street Station Hotel.

November 11, 2016 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

Mr James Angus, Buchanan Street, 23 Cowcaddens Street, Glasgow. Demolished.

Buchanan Street Station Hotel. 1970’s.

Mr James Angus. 1892.

In 1892 Mr James Angus acquired the lease of the Station Hotel, Buchanan Street. Mr Angus was well-known as lessee of the Theatre Royal Bars, when he came into possession of the hotel, alterations and improvements was the first of a long list of duties he had to attend to. Originally a commercial man himself, his knowledge of the wants of the travelling public has been gained in the wide field of personal experience. When the hotel was completely renovated the event was celebrated during that month with what to Scotch folks is known as a house-warming.

The following extract from one of the Glasgow dailies regarding the occasion may be interesting:- “Last night Mr James Angus, the new proprietor of Buchanan Street Station Hotel, gave a complimentary dinner and dance to his local friends and patrons. The occasion of the gathering was a sort of house-warming, as Mr Angus has just completed a number of improvements which he has been carrying out on the hotel. There was a merry party of ladies and gentlemen present last night, Rev. W. Fergus of Blythswood Parish Church, making a very happy chairman, and in a neat speech spoke in flattering terms of the new proprietor. Mr Angus suitably replied. Among the toasts were those of “The Provost, Magistrates, and Town Council,” and “The Municipal Interests of Glasgow,” the brevity of the speeches being in marked contrast to the customary eloquence of after-dinner orators. Messrs. Sharp, Bathgate and White contributed vocally to the dinner-table entertainment, a very agreeable dance bringing the evening to a close.”

Among the gentlemen who took part in the proceedings were Bailie Ness, Kirkcaldy; Messrs. F. Sephton (Royalty Theatre); E. McLean, Bank Restaurant; W. R. Cuddeford; Andrew Myles, Bathgate (Dryburgh & Co.); McGlashan; Stewart, Bissett, and F. C. Cowlard, of the Theatre Royal; Messrs. Sephton and Myles acting as croupiers.

The accommodation for sleepers at the hotel is ample and every arrangement has been made with a view of adding to the comfort of travellers and touring parties. This branch of hotel management having been made a special study by Mr Angus since entering upon his lease, boarders may rest assured that their requirements will receive the personal supervision of mine host himself or that of his good lady, either of whom are en evidence at the port of duty.

On the first landing will be found the dining, coffee and smoke-rooms. The coffee-room alone accommodates about sixty persons with ease. The smoke-room is of good size also, and while not so elegantly furnished as the principal room, is very suitable for meetings, &c. We should also mention that there is a good billiard-room leading from the tap or refreshment buffet. Since the improvements have been completed there have been quite a number of marriage and supper parties in the hotel, all of which passed off satisfactorily.

Luncheons and ordinary dinners may he had at all hours of the day, and as the cooking arrangements are in the hands of an expert chef, the wants of the inner man are supplied in a manner that should gratify even the most of the well-known brands to which we should add Mr Angus’s famous “Marmion” blend of whiskies, an especial favourite with professional men. Ales and stouts of well-known breweries are well represented and the famous Bavarian beer, for which our friend Mr. Bischoff is agent.

Mr Angus is a man of character, and never does things by halves; moreover, being, so to speak, self-made, he knows well what it is to overcome the ordinary difficulties of a business career. The Buchanan Street Station Hotel has been licensed since 1872.

Do you remember this old Hotel? If so please leave a comment.

END.

Two Ways

November 11, 2016 by John Gorevan 5 Comments

1004 Argyle Street, Glasgow. G3 8LU. Tel: 0141 243 2170.

The Two Ways. 1991.

To read the full history of the Two Ways click here.

The Two Way. 2007.

Two Ways. 2007.

The Two Ways was the first pub in the R C Nesbitt TV Series. The pub was filmed at least the external shots for every episode of the original 90’s run of series, but it is not in Govan, it is in Finnieston at the top end of Argyle Street.

Etch of Buchanan Scott & Co. 1888.

Update 28th May 2009.

I was passing Argyle Street today and noticed that the Two Ways was being renovated it was completely stripped bare right down to the original brick work. What was more interesting was the name of the premises, “Finnieston Station Bar and Lounge.” The lettering was well preserved as it was painted directly onto the stone-work.

The name was in great condition and was probably last seen over 100 years ago. I was so exited that I immediately got my camera out to record this event as it will be covered over shortly when the workmen are finished. Will the pub be reopened after this work is finished, I hope so. I will keep you updated on the progress of this very old Glasgow Public House.

Finnieston Station Bar and Lounge. May 2009.

As seen nothing much has changed from the above old etch. May 2009.

A reminder that Buchanan Scott & Co. Ltd owned the premises. May 2009.

Another view of the Finnieston Station. On the left is Kent Road, right Argyle Street. May 2009.

Looks like these premises are going to be a pub after all.

After major refurbishment inside and out the pub has a new name too “Brass Monkey.”

The Brass Monkey is not like the Old Man’s Pub as it was when it was the Two Ways, it is now a friendly and modern pub for all ages.

Also see Buchanan Scott & Co., premises at 18 Govan Street.

Do you have anything to say about this old Pub? If so please leave a comment. We would love to hear your views.

END.

The Buchanan Bar.

November 11, 2016 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

222 Buchanan Street, Glasgow, City Centre. Demolished.

The Buchanan Bar & Lounge. 1970s.

Over the years these premises were once part of the hotel. In 1875 John Purvis was the Hotel Keeper. In 1887 the hotel was known as Baikies Temperance Hotel. In 1912 it was called the Palace Temperance Hotel, 1919 the Oversea Club Hotel then back to the Palace Hotel, then the Buchanan Hotel.

In the 1940s and 50s it was known as Ferrari (The Corner House) restaurant. During the Ferrari hay days the place was used for pre match team lunches for Celtic Football teams.

The Buchanan Bar was next door to the well-known Five Ways Bar.

The Five Ways Lounge and The Buchanan Bar on the left hand side.

The Buchanan Bar and Lounge and Restaurant sold Tennent’s Lager.

By the late 1950s and 60s Thomas G Dick was licensee of these premises which was now a public house owned by Tennent Caledonian Breweries.

Thomas G Dick was also licensee of another five premises including 67 Cambridge Street, 179 London Road, 88 Whitevale Street and two on the Gallowgate no. 514 and 616.

The main pub was on the ground floor there was a staircase which took you upstairs, the first floor was the Lounge Bar, second floor was the Oak Room which was used as a function room. The Off Sales was entered from the main street.

One of the workers in the Buchanan Bar was a Mr Dudley Walker for 1967-69, he remembers the manager Davie Bennett who hailed from Jersey. In 1972 the licensee was a Mr Kenneth William James Beaton.

Thanks to Mr Dudley Walker.

Do you remember this old favourite Bar in the City? If so please leave a comment.

END.

Nobody’s Inn.

November 11, 2016 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

72 Howard Street, Glasgow. G1 4EE. Tel: 0141 243 2564.

Nobody’s Inn. 1991.

Another name this pub has had over the years is “Inn Decision,” “New Eagle Inn,” and “Buchanan’s.”

Inn Decision’s. 1997.

Buchanan.s. March. 2007.

Coyote Whisky Bar. 2015.

Coyote Whisky Bar. 2017.

Coyote Whisky Bar Advert.

Interior view of the Gantry. 2017.

Facts…

Licence Holders.

1991 James Milligan.

Do you have any memories of this old Bar? If so please leave a comment.

END.

Buchanan Brothers

November 11, 2016 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

216-18 Hope Street, 200-202 New City Road, Glasgow.

Mr John M Buchanan. 1893.

John M Buchanan was a native of Dunfermline, when still an infant his parents removed to Carnoustie, in Forfarshire and there under the late Mr Gray (afterwards of Townhead, Glasgow,) a well-known and respected dominie of the old Scottish type, he received a thoroughly sound elementary education. On leaving school young John was apprenticed to the grocery trade with the largest concern in the district, the Co-operative Company’s store, where he served for four years with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the directors. Determined to seek a wider field, he came to Glasgow and engaged in the same line of business, the grocery and provision trade, with a firm in Bridgeton.

Ever anxious to better himself and gain experience, he was employed with John Ewing, grocer and wine merchant, Argyle Street, and so faithfully did he perform his duties that in a short time he was promoted to the responsible position of manager. After four years, Mr Buchanan purchased from Mr Miller the licensed premises, hope Street in 1880, and retained as his headquarters, and which he carried on under the style of Buchanan Brothers.

Still ambitious and enterprising he acquired a pub at 200-202 New City Road, which by judicious alterations, he had improved beyond recognition. His manager Mr Alexander Robertson, who has held the reins of government since the opening of the concern by its present proprietor. Fond of art, and a generous patron of its votaries, Mr Buchanan’s premises were decorated by unique, well-selected, and valuable, paintings, giving abundant evidence of his refined taste and appreciation.

The Hope Street business was sold to wine and spirit merchant George Shields Peat in 1901, Mr Peat redecorated the premises and renamed the pub to Peat’s Pavilion Bar.