Rutherglen Pubs

Bower Bar. 209

Burgh Bar. 72

Chapman’s. 251

Eclipse Tavern.

The Fountain.

Glen the.

Linn-O-Dee. 39

Picture House. 39

Pop Inn.

Royal Bar. 72

Royal Oak. 94

Stirrup Cup. 183

Thistle Vaults. 39

Tower Bar. 149

Vogue the. 49

Facts…

Old Rutherglen Inns.

The Auld Ruglen Spirit Vaults, Main Street, this was once a thatched roof weather-beaten tavern, and was once called the Eclipse tavern owned by Mr Thomas Rae, he employed a manager Willy Gray, Mr Rae also owned the Stonefield tavern, Blantyre. In 1889 the thatched roof came down and a slate one put in it’s place, Mr Alexander Russell took over this old tavern along with the Stonefield Tavern, Blantyre in 1989.

The Auld Hoose Distillery Stores, Main Street, Old Granny Kirkwood, a dounce, canny old fashioned Scotswoman owned it for over 50 years.

The Thistle,

The Fountain, owned by James Deans.

The Royal Bar, 72 Main Street.

In 1899 there were 36 public houses in Rutherglen with 14 licensed grocers.

18 of the pubs were situated on Main Street. If you were looking towards Cambuslang there were 7 pubs on your right with 11 on your left.

In 1953 8 licensed premises of the present 26 will disappear in the next 20 years under Rutherglen’s Development Plan it was stated at a public inquiry in Rutherglen Town hall.

7 public houses and 1 licensed grocers was under threat and scheduled for demolition, this evidence on the opening day of the enquiry showed that if the plan were approved Rutherglen would be left with seven pub in one street and one each in seven other streets.

Mrs Givens, licensee of a pub at 26 Main Street stated that the population of 25,000, there were actually only 4 licensed grocers and 22 pubs, a total of 26, or a ratio of one licence to 932 of the population.

If as suggested under the development plan, eight licensed premises were taken away, that would leave only a ratio of one to 1346, of the population.

A new development of shops, and flats above were to be erected on a piece of ground of triangular shape to the west end of Main Street where the pubs were situated.

John Galbraith, Pastry Baker and Confectioner, 214 Main Street, Rutherglen.

Another pastry baker was James Cowan, his premises were at 41 Main Street. His restaurant, one of the most flurishing in the area. This gentleman did a considerable business in purveying and every requisite for soirees and parties were lent by him on hire. The establishment was well known in and around Rutherlen.