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Castlemilk

Coordinates: 55°48′11″N 4°14′06″W / 55.803033°N 4.235114°W / 55.803033; -4.235114
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Castlemilk
Dougrie Road looking east (2009)
Castlemilk is located in Glasgow council area
Castlemilk
Castlemilk
Location within Glasgow
OS grid referenceNS601591
Council area
Lieutenancy area
  • Glasgow
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townGLASGOW
Postcode districtG45
Dialling code0141
PoliceScotland
FireScottish
AmbulanceScottish
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament
List of places
UK
Scotland
Glasgow
55°48′11″N 4°14′06″W / 55.803033°N 4.235114°W / 55.803033; -4.235114

Castlemilk (Scottish Gaelic: Caisteal Mheilc) is a district of Glasgow, Scotland. It lies to the far south of the city centre, adjacent to the Croftfoot and Simshill residential areas within the city to the north-west, the town of Rutherglen - neighbourhoods of Spittal to the north-east and Fernhill to the east, Linn Park and its golf course to the west, and the separate village of Carmunnock further south across countryside.

The area was developed by the Glasgow Corporation as a peripheral housing scheme in the 1950s[1] to accommodate 34,000 people from inner-city slum areas such as the Gorbals.[2] The new residents were provided with open spaces, a clean environment and indoor toilets and bathrooms. The modern development grew around Castlemilk House, a stately old mansion built around Cassilton Tower, which was started in 1460 on the site of a 13th-century castle, and was demolished in 1972.[3]

The population had dropped from 37,000 in 1971 to roughly half that number in 1991. However, despite the social problems associated with poverty and unemployment, the area has seen the benefits of a regeneration strategy implemented in the 1980s which has focused on improved housing and the development of local arts. Community groups and Cooperative housing associations have done a lot to regenerate the housing and improve the amenities for local people. A swimming pool, sports centre, shopping arcade and community centres have been developed.[4]

History

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Early history

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According to "The Incomplete History Of Castlemilk", by the Castlemilk History Group, Carmunnock did not escape the religious turbulence of the years following Mary Queen of Scots' flight to and later imprisonment in England. While Carmunnock church remained with the Established Church, several of its ministers fought for the National Covenant. The Rev James Mowbrae was dismissed in 1639; his successor Rev Matthew McKail was transferred to Bothwell in 1649, while Rev Andrew Morton was also dismissed for non-conformity in 1662. Rev Morton was to return in 1687 upon the decline of the rule of bishops. According to Mrs Herbert (Author of the History of Carmunnock), 'The villagers, joyfully taking the opportunity, forcibly threw the unpopular Rev Mr Boyd out of the manse'.

Over this period the Stuarts added to their estate. Again confusion surrounds the date in history of the Stuart connection with Cassiltoun. According to some sources, the Stuarts sold their Dumfriesshire estate of Castlemilk to Lord Maxwell in 1579, and from that date the Lanarkshire property of Cassiltoun became known as Castlemilk.[2] Other sources give the date of this development as 1759. Certainly in writing up his Statistical Account of the parish in 1796 the Rev Adam Forman seemed comfortable in his use of the term Castlemilk for the former estate of Cassiltoun.

This period saw further additions to the Stuart fortunes through their links with the parish of Torrance and the estate of Milton. Torrance House (in present-day Calderglen Park, East Kilbride) was built in 1605 and sold to the Stuarts of Castlemilk in 1650. It remained with the Stuarts until 1947, when it was acquired by the East Kilbride Development Corporation as their Headquarters. During the 18th Century, the valuable estate of Milton on the north side of Glasgow came by marriage into the possession of the family. It included a large area north of Cowcaddens and Parliamentary Road, Hyndland, Barmulloch and Balornock, besides the site of the present large housing scheme of Milton. In 1706 a deed of entail was obtained, obliging every future holder of the Milton estate to assume the name of Crawfurd.

This fact, coupled with inter-marriage with the Stirlings of Keir and the failure of the Stuart male line in 1797 explains the present family name of Crawfurd Stirling Stuart. This complex family history was explored by Andrew Stuart of Torrance and Castlemilk who published The History of the Genealogy of the Stewarts in 1798.[5][2]

In 1991, in advance of the redevelopment of the site of Castlemilk House into an adventure playground, an archaeological dig was carried out by Archaeology Projects Glasgow in close collaboration with the now defunct Castlemilk Local History Group. Two trial trenches to the west of the tower discovered a defensive ditch which had been filled with midden material such as pottery, bone, bottle glass and a clay pipe bowl that would date the deposit to the 18th century if not earlier. The remains of a stone structure which could have been a possible bridge was also uncovered running across the line of the ditch. Other trial trenches produced very little of interest.[6]

Development of modern estate

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Castlemilk West Parish Church in 2008

Castlemilk and the other peripheral housing schemes in Glasgow had their origins in the city's housing crisis after the end of the Second World War. Many inner city areas such as Hutchesontown[7] contained street after street of sub-standard tenement housing, and the city as a whole had a shortage of affordable good quality accommodation. The Castlemilk estate had already been acquired for building by the Glasgow Corporation under a compulsory purchase order in 1936, prior to the war.[1][8]

St. Margaret Mary's RC Church

In 1947, a delegation from Glasgow visited Marseille to see the new social housing designed by the Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier, who was a pioneer of modern urban planning. The group examined how his ideas could be applied to Glasgow with the proposed development of new “townships” on the outskirts of the city.[9] Around the same time a second strategy was also formulated for the dispersal of the city's population, this being new towns such as East Kilbride (which is only a few miles across countryside from Castlemilk). However, the city fathers were anxious to ensure that most people remained living within the Glasgow boundaries so they keenly pursued the townships project even with limited space available on which to build. The other areas identified for this were Pollok, Drumchapel and Easterhouse[1][7] – collectively referred to along with Castlemilk as "the big four".

Castlemilk Swimming Pool

In December 1952, Glasgow Corporation approved a sketch layout plan for the construction of a new township at Castlemilk with an estimated cost of £16,000,000. It was planned to ultimately comprise some 8,300 houses.[1][10] In early 1953, more detailed plans for the development of Castlemilk were prepared by Archibald George Jury, who had been appointed as Glasgow’s first City Architect in 1951, a post he held until his retirement in 1972.

Rear of a typical 1950s Castlemilk tenement in 1983

There was a very limited range of different house types planned for the initial Castlemilk scheme. Most of the accommodation was to be contained in three or four-storey tenement blocks.[11] There were also to be three-storey terraced houses intended for larger families and a few other house types designed for the elderly and other groups such as the local fire service personnel.[2] The original 1950s flats, entered from common closes, seem to have been designed as modern versions of the traditional Glasgow tenements.[1][2][11] Unlike many of the Victorian tenement dwellings, however, these flats came with interior bathrooms and running hot and cold water.[12] Many of the street names (Ardencraig, Ardmaleish, Birgidale, Dougrie, Dunagoil, Machrie) were derived from rural locations in the County of Bute.

Mitchellhill tower blocks on the day of their demolition, 2005

The multi-storey blocks in Castlemilk did not arrive until the 1960s. Built after the added amenities that included: a swimming pool, the shopping arcade and the community centre. Archibald Jury was the architect responsible for the creation of the three 20-storey tower blocks in Dougrie Road, from the planning stage in 1960 to their completion in 1966 (these are still standing).[1][13] The Mitchelhill high-rise blocks at Ardencraig Road, built on high and exposed ground at the edge of the Cathkin Braes and designed to be a prominent feature of the city skyline, were designed and built by George Wimpey Ltd, between 1963 and 1965 (they were demolished in 2005);[1][7] Wimpey was also responsible for the construction of Bogany Flats in 1966 (demolished as early as 1993).[1][14]

Dougrie Place flats, 2008

Public housing policy in Scotland was radically changed by the Tenants' Rights, Etc. (Scotland) Act 1980, which gave tenants the right to buy their council houses for the first time. Since then, renovation, demolition and refurbishment of Castlemilk’s existing housing stock has taken place,[4] as well as the development of areas of new build houses for owner-occupation. Tenure has diversified with home ownership transferred from the City Council to local Housing Associations and owner-occupiers.

The township centre at Castlemilk Arcade / Dougrie Drive was developed by Ravenseft Properties Ltd between 1961 and 1963[1][15] on a 5-acre (20,000 m2) site which was formerly the location of the large country houses at Castleton, west of Castlemilk House itself.[2] The centre was designed to contain about sixty shops at an estimated cost of £3m to £4m.[16] The shops are still standing, with an 80% occupancy rate.[17] The north side of the arcade on Dougrie Drive contains Castlemilk's only pub,[1] the Oasis. After the shopping centre's small Co-op Food supermarket confirmed it would closed its doors in 2016, residents launched a campaign for improved grocery shopping provision in the district, with local bodies failing to attract any suitable tenants for either the Braes Centre (described by campaigners as badly outdated) or at any new standalone sites.[18][19][20][21]

view north from Cathkin Braes over refurbished tenements and replacement houses

The original neighbourhood shops were built at the ground floors of the tenement blocks, following the old Glasgow pattern.[22] Ownership of these small shops has been transferred from the Council to the Glasgow Housing Association, who have let the surviving blocks of shops in Stravanan Road and Tormusk Road to various tenants.

Modern housing looking south to Cathkin Braes

Castlemilk House was demolished in 1972 after being used as a children's home for several years and then falling derelict. The accompanying stables block (built 1794, designed by David Hamilton and Category B listed) survived and was restored; it now contains the local housing offices, community facilities and a nursery.[23][24] The green areas between the clusters of housing, including the old features of the Castlemilk House estate, are managed as a Park and Woodlands, an award-winning project aimed to benefit the community.[25][26]

Unlike some amenities, schools were in the Castlemilk plans from its conception. Eight primary schools served the area, with some of them closing and merging going into the 21st century – there are now four: Miller, Castleton, St Bartholomew's RC[27] and John Paul II RC, plus one special school, Kirkriggs.

Glenwood Secondary School was the first of the scheme's three high schools to be constructed in 1958,[28] followed by the (Catholic) St Margaret Mary's Secondary School in 1962 and Grange Secondary School in 1968. Falling population numbers led to Glenwood closing its doors in 1990 (a business centre now occupies the site) and the pupils transferring to Grange, which was renamed Castlemilk High School.[29] In 2001 that school was rebuilt on a smaller scale on the same site, with the playground and buildings swapping places; St Margaret Mary's was reconstructed in 2002 using the same method.[30] Some children living in the north-west of Castlemilk attend King's Park Secondary School in the neighbouring Simshill district, whilst the village school in Carmunnock is affiliated to Castlemilk High.

In 2001, the Reverend John D. Miller, minister of Castlemilk East Parish Church (from 1971 until his retirement in 2007), was elected Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. Miller Primary School in Castlemilk was named after him and his wife. As part of the regeneration of Castlemilk in 1999, several public artworks were commissioned and placed at prominent entrances into the area; these included works by sculptors Kenny Hunter and Rick Kirby.[31]

Notable residents, past and present

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Housing, Everyday Life & Wellbeing over the long term: A brief history of Castlemilk housing estate". University of Glasgow. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Castlemilk, Glasgow - origins & history". Glasgow's South Side. Archived from the original on 4 February 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  3. ^ "Castlemilk from Cathkin Braes". theglasgowstory.com. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Castlemilk Housing". The Glasgow Story. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  5. ^ Incomplete History Of Castlemilk, Chapter3
  6. ^ RCAHMS web site
  7. ^ a b c Whatever happened to the Castlemilk Lads?, Peter Ross, The Scotsman, 24 June 2012
  8. ^ "Castlemilk from Cathkin Braes". The Glasgow Story. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  9. ^ "Castlemilk, 1954". The Glasgow Story. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  10. ^ The Builder, 5 Dec 1952, p852
  11. ^ a b Birgidale Road, Castlemilk (Glasgow City Archives, Department of Architectural and Civic Design, 1958), The Glasgow Story
  12. ^ "Barlia Street, Castlemilk". The Glasgow Story. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  13. ^ The Builder, 17 June 1960, p1168
  14. ^ The Buildings of Scotland, Glasgow p531
  15. ^ The Builder, 10 February 1961, p295-296
  16. ^ The Builder, 16 June 1961, p1176
  17. ^ Welcome, The Braes Shopping Centre
  18. ^ B&M to open in Castlemilk allowing former Co-op workers to retain their jobs, Evening Times, 4 December 2017
  19. ^ need Aldi or Lidl': Castlemilk shopping centre 'not fit for purpose' as group fights for supermarket, Evening Times, 22 February 2018
  20. ^ Lack of land puts Castlemilk supermarket plans on hold, Evening Times,16 April 2018
  21. ^ Castlemilk children's plea: 'Build us a supermarket', BBC News, 25 June 2019
  22. ^ "Machrie Road, Castlemilk". The Glasgow Story. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  23. ^ "Case study: Castlemilk Stables, Glasgow". The Prince's Regeneration Trust. Archived from the original on 26 October 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  24. ^ "Castlemilk Stables". Glasgow Building Preservation Trust. 10 June 2016. Archived from the original on 13 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  25. ^ Castlemilk Park Project, Cassiltoun Housing Association
  26. ^ Cassiltoun Housing Association wins prize for their work at Castlemilk Woods, Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, 18 August 2016
  27. ^ "St Batholomew's[sic] Primary School". The Glasgow Story. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  28. ^ "Hamish Gardner". The Herald. 11 January 2000. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  29. ^ "History of the School - Background". Castlemilk High School. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  30. ^ "School Handbook 2014–2015". St Margaret Mary's Secondary School. 1 August 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  31. ^ "Glasgow Sculpture Database". Glasgow - City of Sculpture. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  32. ^ "Ikechi Anya: From Castlemilk to Scotland squad". scotsman.com.
  33. ^ a b "I did OK in grand scheme of things; brothers kept Castlemilk boy Darren Brady on course". Sunday Mail. 22 August 2004 – via thefreelibrary.com.
  34. ^ Steve Bronski: co-founder of Bronski Beat dies aged 61, Laura Snapes, The Guardian, 9 December 2021
  35. ^ a b "Sunderland warming to humble Scot Sbragia". The Scotsman. 22 December 2008. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  36. ^ a b "Ricky Sbragia would be a great choice as the new Motherwell boss, says pal Jimmy Calderwood". Daily Record. 26 December 2010. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  37. ^ Geddes, Jonathan (20 July 2015). "Castlemilk singer Gerry Cinnamon is a hit at T In The Park". Daily Record / Rutherglen Reformer. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  38. ^ Lennon, Holly (30 June 2017). "Gerry Cinnamon comes out of hiding for TRNSMT performance". Evening Times. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  39. ^ Vivienne Nicoll (4 April 2017). "End of an era: Glasgow's Lord Provost Sadie Docherty hangs up her chains". Evening Times. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  40. ^ "Donachie steps out of the shadows and into the lion's den".
  41. ^ Interview: Professor Brian Duffy, fashion and business consultant, The Scotsman, 30 January 2012
  42. ^ The CA who became CEO of UK’s largest luxury jewellery retailer, ICAS, 18 May 2016
  43. ^ The big interview: Aurum Holdings CEO Brian Duffy, WatchPro, 19 January 2017
  44. ^ Boy from Castlemilk who rose to the top at Ralph Lauren excited by Scottish potential, Daily Record, 11 February 2012
  45. ^ Brian Duffy – Celtic Director. The Bhoy From Castlemilk milked the UK of Tax, Football Tax Havens, 13 May 2013
  46. ^ Brian DUFFY: Appointments[permanent dead link‍], Companies House
  47. ^ "Former Celtic kid Islam Feruz blasted over Twitter comments branded an 'insult to Tommy Burns' memory'". 21 April 2012.
  48. ^ "Leeds United: My Whites playing days - Arthur Graham interview". Yorkshire Evening Post.
  49. ^ a b "Graham: Arthur". Leeds United F.C. History. Tony Hill. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  50. ^ "This Life: Eddie Gray". Yorkshire Evening Post.
  51. ^ a b Interview: Eddie Gray on why SFA must stay at Hampden - 'our mecca', The Scotsman, 18 September 2018
  52. ^ "Eddie and Frank Gray : Local News Glasgow". localnewsglasgow.co.uk.
  53. ^ Glasgow financier Hugh Hendry tells how Castlemilk gave him tools to become a global high roller, Amanda Keenan, Glasgow Times, 31 October 2022
  54. ^ "Scot who became an Irish World Cup hero – The Archive: Ray Houghton". The Herald. 5 June 2006.
  55. ^ "Interview: Stephen House, Scotland's top policeman". scotsman.com.
  56. ^ "Rory Hughes ready to deliver on Scotland debut". scotsman.com.
  57. ^ "Scotland wing Rory Hughes' roots steel him for Test bow". BBC Sport. 21 August 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
  58. ^ "The man who would be King – South African the favourite to take over Rangers". Herald Scotland.
  59. ^ Marion Scott (29 January 2012). "Scots actor Gary Lamont tells of his heartbreak over the knife death of friend". dailyrecord.
  60. ^ "Campaigning lawyer loses fight for life". Herald Scotland.
  61. ^ "Biog | Libby McArthur".
  62. ^ Craig McQueen (4 September 2013). "Scotland's most expensive - and down to earth - footballer James McCarthy buys £1m luxury home for his parents". dailyrecord.
  63. ^ Paul English (27 June 2008). "High Times duo Stephen and Paul McCole find fame in unlikely places". dailyrecord.
  64. ^ "Stephen McCole interview: Life imitating comedy". scotsman.com.
  65. ^ Alex Ferguson's touchline debut at East Stirlingshire inspired sensational comeback from 3-0 down, Daily Record, 10 August 2014
  66. ^ John Fallon (9 September 2014). "Steven Naismith: Aiden McGeady can exploit Germany". irishmirror.
  67. ^ a b "The man who wants to put football back on the map". Herald Scotland.
  68. ^ "Hampden Films".
  69. ^ dailyrecord Administrator (21 April 2009). "Andy McLaren – to hell and back". dailyrecord.
  70. ^ a b "Charlie Miller on Rangers, Beckham and Castlemilk". The Scotsman. 6 December 2014. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  71. ^ "William Ruane on why he isn't bitter about Martin Compston's success". Evening Times. 20 May 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
  72. ^ Rita Rusk: Scotland's first lady of hairdressing dies aged 75, BBC News, 29 December 2022
  73. ^ "BBC News - SCOTLAND - Ex-soccer star bids to be mayor". bbc.co.uk. 2 January 2002.
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