Maryhill Road

The Rams Head.

March 15, 2017 by John Gorevan 1 Comment

1971 Maryhill Road, Maryhill, Glasgow. G20 0BT. Tel: 0141 949 4044.

Image of the Rams Head Bar Maryhill Road 1991 — The Rams Head. 1991.

This part of Maryhill Road was called Main Street, Maryhill back then.

There has been a public house on this site since 1882 run by a lady called Mrs Gibson, she had a license to sell ales and porter only. The pub was situated at the corner of Maryhill Road and Celtic Street.

Mrs Gibson continued as landlady until 1887. The pub was then taken over by James Grieve, again he was only allowed to sell ale and porter to his customers. Mrs Janet Grieve his wife took over the licence in 1893 and paid an annual rent of £19. Janet gave up her licence a year after the out break of the first world war.

George Smith Cloughley then took over as landlord, he may have been called up as in 1917 his wife was licensee. The Cloughley family continued as licensees’ until the 1950s.

George lived with his wife Helen at 2 Celtic Street, Helen worked very close with George in the pub. All the beer was bottled on the premises, during the Second World War George was also known as a beer bottler.

Black and White Image of the Rams Head Maryhill Road 1991 — The Rams Head. 1991.

Many will still remember Elizabeth Sloan licencee in 1960, John Johnstone in the 70s and James Farrell 1990s.

email from Stephen McGuire: The Crashed formerly known as Cloughley’s for a number of years only sold beer and no spirits.

Image of the Rams Head Maryhill Road 2005 — The Rams Head. 2005.

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

END.

MacMillan’s

March 6, 2017 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

419 Maryhill Road, Glasgow.

MacMillan’s bar sat on Maryhill Road between Dalmally Street and Wilton Street.

This part of Maryhill Road was once called New City Road. Many will still remember this old pub as Mason’s Bar, named after the licensee Andrew Mason in the 1950s to 1970s.

In 1888 Alexander Stewart opened two public houses in New City Road, one at 733 the site of MacMillan’s bar and the other at 641 at the corner of 2 Raeberry Street. Both his premises stocked the best of very liquor available including Reid’s, Barclay Perkin’s and Guinness stouts, Salt’s, Bass and Allsopp’s, McEwan’s on draught. He also stock 1875 Brandy in wood, also old port and sherries and his owned blend of 20 year old whisky called Cream of Whiskies.

Mr Stewart was born in Pitlochry the son of a farmer and distiller, young Stewart fled to Glasgow at an early age and found his way into Matthew Robin’s establishment now the Scotia Bar, Stockwell Street. Highlander’s were very popular in our Glasgow pubs and most of them were Gaelic spoken just like Alexander.

Alexander Stewart’s pub at 641 New City Road, corner of Raeberry Street. 1888.

Mr Stewart’s other premises at the corner of Raeberry Street had massive plate glass windows with fresh plants and flowers displayed in the window. The interior of the bar was bright, large barrels on the gantry selling top quality liquor was a prominent feature in the bar, the shelving was beautifully plastered with slim columns and the back panelled with silvered glass. The supporting columns along the bar were tinted with a shade of blue, all surmounted by broad capitals richly gilted. Even the seating was elaborately detailed. Alexander may have had a partner in business as when he died in 1899 Matthew MacMillan was granted a transfer of the licence and traded under the name of Stewart & MacMillan. Alexander Stewart’s bar stocked good quality liquor, including Reid’s, Barclay Perkins’ and Guinness’s stouts, his ales were Salt’s, Bass’s and Allsopp’s and McEwan’s on draught. The cellars were stocked full of brandies of 1877 vintage, old ports, sherries and fine whiskies from all over Scotland, his own blend “Cratur” was a twenty year old Scotch which he called the cream of whiskies.

His other premises were then rented out to Malcolm McCormack.

Over the years the locals called the pub MacMillan’s and the name appeared above the door. This was not unusual for pubs to be called after the owner, even although there may have been a different name above the door. The licence stayed in Matthew’s name until the end of WW2.

William David Anderson then acquired the licence and continued in the pub until 1958. The pub was renamed to Mason’s Bar from then on until it was demolished 30 years later. The new owner was Andrew Mason.

Raeberry Street from New City Road. the pub on the right is Alexander Stewart’s Vaults.

Alexander Stewart in highland dress. 1888.

Alexander Stewart 1893.

Facts…

Licence Holders.

1976-1958 Andrew Mason.

1953-1947 William David Anderson.

1945-1900 Matthew MacMillan.

1899-1888 Alexander Stewart.

END.

Cloughley’s Bar.

January 2, 2017 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

1969 /1971 Maryhill Road, Glasgow. G20 0BT.

Cloughley’s Bar. This image was taken just before the pub was demolished. circa 1970s.

George Smith Cloughley then took over as landlord, he may have been called up as in 1917 his wife was licensee. The Cloughley family continued as licensees’ until the 1950s.

When the pub was demolished a new pub was built on the same site, but a much bigger bar and a new name for the premises, “The Highland Queen.” Later on this pub was known as “The Rams Head.”

During the 1960s Elizabeth C Sloan was licensee and the 70s was John McNiven Johnstone and in 1991 James Farrell was licensee.

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

END.

The Copper Lamp

January 1, 2017 by John Gorevan 2 Comments

1850 Maryhill Road, Glasgow. G20 0HD.

The Copper Lamp 1991.

This pub was formerly called Garven’s and is now called the Maryhill Tavern. Situated at the corner of Duncruin Street formerly known as Hill Street.

The history of this old Maryhill pub can be traced back to 1875. Wine and Spirit merchant William Garven was trading from these premises, the address then was 168 Main Street, Maryhill. Above the door the lettering was “Wines William Garven Spirits” the locals called the pub Garven’s after the licensee and years on the lettering above the pub was “Garven’s”.

In 1889 Mrs Jane Garven was licensee, her son John was in partnership with John G Miller and traded under the title of Miller & Garven, Wholesale Umbrella manufacturer, 73 Virginia Street, Glasgow. Both Jane and John lived at the same address, 1 Mary’s Place, Maryhill.

In 1937 Andrew Ross a well known and respected Glasgow wine and spirit merchant was licensee, Mr Ross also owned the Andros Bar, now Wintergills on Great Western Road and the Halt Bar on Woodlands Road.

The Maryhill Tavern. 2005.

After the Second World War Mrs Martha Campbell was licensee, she continued until the 1960s. James Dunsmore took over as licensee in 1972.

Maryhill Tavern. 2005.

In 2013 the Maryhill Tavern had a for Sale sign up.

Maryhill Tavern. 2017.

It was a shame to see this once great public house on fire. A fire that was deliberate, over the last twenty years I have seen many many Glasgow Pubs deliberately set on fire, there is often a suspicion about the amount of fires in old pubs in Glasgow. I will say no more.

Facts…

From the First & Last Bar on Maryhill Road to the other end of New City Road there was a total of 44 public houses, that was in 1899.

Main Street had 11 Pubs.

Wyndford Street had 3 Pubs.

Gairbraid Street had 5 Pubs.

New City Road had 25 Pubs.

This long stretch of thoroughfare was then divided into four parts Main Street, Maryhill then continued to Wyndford Street from under the Viaduct then continued to Gairbraid Street then to New City Road from Queens Cross to St George’s Cross. New City Road continued down to Garscadden Street.

Do you know anything about this pub or any other pub in the city?

If so please contact us and we will review your comments.

The Clarendon Bar.

December 29, 2016 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

98 Maryhill Road, Glasgow. G20 7QB. Closed.

The Clarendon Bar. 1991.

It was sad to see this popular bar was destroyed by fire last year. To read the full history of this pub, check back soon for our second book.

After a great fire that destroyed the building and caused the death of a young woman the pub was rebuilt and renamed the Thistle Bar.

The Thistle Bar. 2008.

In the NEWS 1961…

Mrs I T Cunningham is seen here with her son and two daughters and some of the company who attended the opening of her Clarendon Bar. Left to right Mr Tom Cunningham, Miss Elizabeth Cunningham, Mr Jack Radcliffe, Mrs I T Cunningham, Mr Matt Armstrong (development director, U C B,) Miss Helen Cunningham and Mr Hugh McCalman.

Ten-year story: “Pub Slums” to highest class.

Formerly an empty corner shop at Clarendon Street and Maryhill Road, Glasgow, new licensed premises have appeared under the name of “The Clarendon” which combine the highest claims in architecture and craftsmanship in the city.

Even from the outside the large corner premises are impressive, the outstanding feature being the large specially engraved stained windows carrying mountain scenery and Highlanders.

The public bar and the adjoining cocktail bar are both spacious, in contrast to the tiny off-sales department. Contemporary decor has been used with effect throughout and rough stonework adds a pleasing touch here and there.

The gantry of the cocktail bar is original. Behind the counter in a corner are double stone archways beyond which are illuminated country scene panels. The lounge is fully carpeted and bright without being glarish.

The Clarendon was officially opened by Scots comedian Jack Radcliffe, he came direct from a milk bar! -who wished Mrs Isabel Cunningham every success in her outstanding beautiful premises.

Mr Matt Armstrong, development director of United Caledonian Breweries Ltd., paid high tribute to Mr Hugh McCalman, Glasgow solicitor, for all he had done in the struggle to secure the licence for the Clarendon. In ten years, he said, Glasgow had risen from the depths of pub slums to the highest class of licensed premises in the country.

The cocktail Bar of the Clarendon. 1961.

In the News 1971…

Hot Scene going at the Clarendon.

As you thought the swing doors the air is blue with cigarette smoke, the place is alive with people, and then the rhythmic beat of the music hits you. Although the place is packed there is hardly a whisper, everybody is listening, and every musical phrase is appreciated, savoured, and applauded.

The musicians are intent, the sweat runs off them. As George Scott Henderson takes a piano solo they look knowingly at each other and smile. They have the look of musicians who are not playing for an audience but for themselves and a crowd of appreciative, discerning fellow musicians.

The scene is the Clarendon lounge in Maryhill Road, Glasgow; the time Saturday morning, and Saturday morning.

“Going Well”

American singer Dick Haymes whispers in my ears “I’ve listened in on jam sessions all over the world; this is as good as the best I’ve heard anywhere.” Frank Pantrini on alto sax takes up the cue. He blasts out a few hot phrases, then as the audience cheers takes a sip of beer.

“It’s going very well,” he say’s “the boys are really blowing well today.” The music fills the lounge and spills outside as more fans walk through the doors. The place is jam-packed, the atmosphere is almost electric, everybody is listening. This is no place for the pop maniac or the lover of Schmaltz; this is the scene of the jazz lover, the man of music.

Don’t ask for a request. You will be either ignored or worse laughed at. The musicians frustrated with the commercialised music they have to play all week,are having a ball. They are playing the kind of music they love… nobody tells them what to play.

On almost any Saturday lunch time in the Clarendon you will rub shoulders with people like Dick Haymes, George Chisholm, Peggy O’Keefe, Vince Hill, Iain McFadyen, or Ian Sutherland. They are welcome to sit in for a blow, and often do.

When I dropped in recently on stage were Frank Pantrini, who runs the show, George Scott Henderson on piano taking over from resident pianist Kenny Crawford, Billy Young on guitar, Ricky Fernandez on double bass, Rudi Salerio on bongos, Pat Gallagher on drums, George Chisholm on trombone and Ella Crawley on vocals.

Frank Pantrini, who has been drawing the crowds into the lounge for years and who plays regularly at the Albert Ballroom in Glasgow, tells me: “At one time or another we have had all the top session musicians sitting in with us, all the boys who come up from London to back entertainers in television shows. “No pressure is put on them, they just bring their instruments along and if the mood is on them they sit in and play. It’s fun, it is our way of relaxing and getting the poison out of our system.”

Happy scene.

Out at the Olde World Inn in Cumbernauld they have a happy scene going. They recently installed a portable dance floor in the steak house which is laid every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Music for dancing is by the Blue Angels (Tuesday), Cherish (Wednesday) and the Merry Macs (Thursday and Friday).

Why is the name of con-science are people outwith Glasgow able to have a dance in such eating houses when we in Glasgow are not allowed to, I suppose it must make some kind of sense to the Glasgow city fathers. I hope it does, because it certainly makes sense to no one else.

Update…March 2012.

The Thistle Bar has closed its doors for good.

Update…2019.

This once popular bar is now a Spar convenience store.

Do you remember this 1960s Local? If so please leave a comment.

END.

The Punch Bowl.

November 10, 2016 by John Gorevan 1 Comment

1512 Maryhill Road, Glasgow. G20 9AD. Tel: 0141 946 0843.

The Punch Bowl. 1991.

This well established Maryhill local was a favourite landmark in the area for years, in recent years it has changed it’s name to the Botany.

The pub can be traced back to the beginning of the 1900s, over the years many licensee have come and gone. One of the longest landlords to hold the certificate was Andrew White, he took control of the business from 1917 to the 1930s. The address of the pub was then 166 Wyndford Street.

Archibald Kirkland took over the pub in 1930s till the 1960s. Mr Kirkland was a trustee and Attorney for the late William Craib.

View of the Punch Bowl 1939.

Punch Bowl 1937.

The Botany. August 2005.

In the News 1974…

Punch Bowl have to fill the Cup…!

Punch Bowl (above) and Sou’ Wester A (below), currently the two strongest teams in the Glasgow Darts Association, had a rare old scrap when they clashed in the final of the White Horse Trophy tournament. Victory went to the Punch Bowl 9-8, but only after the two teams had tied it at 6-6 and a best of five games decider had been ordered. 1974.

Update… 2019.

This old Maryhill favourite bar is now reverted back to the “Punch Bowl.”

Do you have any memories about this pub? If so please leave a comment.

END.