My sisters and myself walked past the sixty steps every week to the Botanics. I still walk the dog there. We called it 'the castle wall' because we were convinced it was a medieval castle! Really good, informative videos. You're obviously an enthusiast for Glasgow history and that comes across clearly. Thanks.
I love hearing local and personal names for things. I have had conversations with people and we can all be talking about the same thing but all have different names for it. I love drawing attention to the lesser known history of Glasgow that gets walked past every day and ignored.
You likely already know this, but the Queen Margaret College went on to become part of the University of Glasgow in 1890, and became the Queen Margaret Union. The QMU was the women's Union, first housed at 1 Uni Gardens, then at 12 Uni Gardens (former men's union and current home of the SRC) and finally it moved to 22 Uni Gardens in 1968 where it became a famous gig venue, hosting Queen, Nirvana, Coldplay and many more bands over the years. Might be worth an episode if you're interested! Happy to chat. I worked on an archive project for them a few years back.
Informative and well made videos, I am from Glasgow, moved 26 years ago, but your videos make me realise there are parts of Glasgow I don't know at all and need to go visit. PS Anyone told you you sound a bit like John Hannah?
What an amazing entertaining and informative video! Very educational of my old home town. I didn't even know all of this about the west end. Great work!
Excellent video, my opinion is the Greek's grand designs don't get the kudos that they deserve, i have had the privilege of repairing the slates on 3 of his homes and the detail on the chimney heads lead work and the quality of the original slates is outstanding, always enjoy your videos keep them coming thanks
Very Interesting history of that part of the city. I worked at QMD for the BBC just about all of my career in television. Just prior to migrating to Pacific Quay `I approached the commissioning editor to ask if the occasion would be marked by making a programme about it. They had no plans to make such a programme so myself and a friend who happened to be a BBC colleague decided we would shoot a few frames ourselves. This is link if you are interested. There is also a part 2. ua-cam.com/video/x5RvBYAWaYs/v-deo.html
I was born only a few hundred yards from the steps on the other side of Queen Margaret Drive and used to play in the area around the steps as a youngster. In fact I recall going into the sweetie factory store which was located a few doors up from the foot of the steps on the right and would spend my threepence piece there every week. Great memories.
I appeared on the Untied Shoelaces Show! I have no real recollection of it, but I have a picture of me in a lion costume that I apparently wore on the day.
My dad worked in the BBC Studios, so as a kid I often went there, had lunch in the cafeteria and looked out for stars. I think Archie Macpherson was there one time but my dad who loved Dad's Army met and spoke with Arthur Lowe (Captain Mainwaring) one time! My pal's dad also worked there as a producer/director and his most famous work was Scotch and Rye with Riki Fulton. He also did "A Round with Aliss" in the 1980's. ps. Fact for the day :- Scotch and Rye was the biggest selling Scottish video until Ally McCoist brought one out about his football career!
Love these memories, thanks for sharing. My Dad obsessively recorded the BBC new year evening on VHS and as a result I have every episode of Scotch and Wry including the incidentals from Jackie Bird, Paul Coia and Andy Cameron from through the years. About 10 years ago I posted them here but not surprisingly got hit with a copyright strike so I am very careful now with posting BBC material. I think I got away with the Untied shoelaces clip.
At three minutes, the feature is a false door with an offering table. It was a feature of the early form of burials in ancient Egypt, the Mastaba. Running right to left, along the top is a row of blocks, this is known as dentil and is a feature of the Greek, Ionic order.
Another very informative video. I like the bit re the shrapnel damage to the bridge and the fact the new sandstone building had no design flair as did the older ones. With regards Queen Margaret Drive being the BBC Scotland studios, growing up in Aberdeenshire I always thought that address had an almost mythical status as had Grampian TV studios at Queens Cross in Aberdeen before they closed it and built upmarket flats on the site. There seems to be a theme here. I realised in my early 20's that there really was nothing special inside these buildings as my Fiance at the time worked in the scheduling department at Grampian TV so I frequented the Green room and staff bar on many occasions and socialised with the camera crews and "stars" on a regular basis. Sorry to disappoint you and you probably didn't miss much on not being on the show. I look forward to your next video.
I had that story on my list after the Charing cross video and the "Square mile of murder" reference and I visited the outside of the house. I just need to work out how to tell it well.
I had been walking from Kelvinbridge to the Botanic Gardens several times but never realised the existence of these steps or the old BBC building. The longest route I've ever walked on the Kelvin walkway is from Kelvingbridge to the university observatory which is about 10 km! There are many astonishing places in Glasgow I've missed when I lived there!
I have no recollection of the Untied Shoelaces Show, agreed, fairly macabre titles. Thanks for the episode, always stunned with the history you manage to dig up.
Oh mate, thank you so much for your constant support, it is very much appreciated. I am almost at capacity on my 4tb hard drive so this will go towards more storage for future episodes.
@@AstonishingGlasgowThanks for your interest, and your knowledge! I do remember as a boy, throwing the flint boulders at the stones, which created sparks and a bit of smoke, great fun! That was 70 years ago, haven't been there since, hope my memory is correct!
Brilliant post, my wife and I love visiting Glasgow and in all the times I’ve visited I never heard of the 60 steps so guess what is number one on my list next time I visit? Yep you’re right whetherspoons then the 60 steps 😅
That was really interesting, mate. Thanks. I remember being at the QM Studios for a screening of Rab C Nesbitt. They were recording our laughter for post production. (God, The Untied Shoe Laces Show. Memories...)
Do you remember Stookie? I have vague recollections of it but none of the folk I work with remember it and I cant remember enough about it to describe it other than the lead character had a "stookie" on his wrist.
@@AstonishingGlasgow I do remember this. The actor went on to play a son in Rab C me think? He stood beside Peter Mullan at the battle of Stirling Bridge in Braveheart. Small world.
Glad you mentioned another part of Astonishing Glasgow Tiger Tim. Any information on the Steps in Garnethill fron Dalhousie street down across great western road down towards the PDSA building?
My other half was on The Untied Shoelaces show when she was 3 years old. She had two aunties who were models who fancied being on the telly that day and they dragged the wean there and all she did was greet through the whole thing.
Hi there, there's a great book called The Luftwaffe Over Scotland which you probably know. What is really interesting in it is the extent and large number of small towns all over Scotland which were bombed. In Glasgow I've tried to find a document or something that maps out the locations. Maybe you could do a follow up on this topic. The one here was really interesting. SC
I am hoping to do a more thorough ww2 in Glasgow video at some point but like you mention, finding out a lot of the bomb locations is a tricky. Thanks for the book recommendation.
From what I have been reading, they talked about the Clydebank blitz but heavily played down any attacks that hit Glasgow for morale and tactical reasons. That's why there are a lot less newspaper reports and public records of Glasgow bomb sites. A lot of what we know is from first person memory and sadly as that generation moves on we lose a lot of the stories.
Interesting video ,…..regarding former BBC HQ , I read somewhere, that the famous tv play ‘ Abigail’s Party ‘ was filmed there , although a quintessentially Home Counties story , the Glasgow studio was the only one with spare capacity at the time when it came to filming .
:-D, I did wonder if that detail would be missed. I couldnt face food after I got thinking about those severed feet but It will return in the next video.
He better keep playing, I'm making a fortune as a Zlatan look alike...........When I say a fortune I really mean nothing. Im not even sure who Zlatan is.
I have plans for a video in the future that will take me into Renfrew and I will see what I can pick out when I am there. Everywhere has astonishing history if you look beyond the every day.
@@AstonishingGlasgow excellent I look forward to the video mate One thing I’ve tried to find is where the train station used to be PS go into the town hall in Renfrew the little museum is absolutely brilliant
I had a Summer job at the BBC on Queen Margaret Drive in 1978/9. I worked in the post room distributing and collecting mail from all the offices, those were the days before email, in fact before computers it was all typewritten stuff so there was a lot, we were about 10 in the post room. it was beautiful inside too. I had lunch in the BBC canteen and we could go to the BBC bar and social club which was on Kelvin Drive I don't remember exactly where around about where the Ambassador is now, and of course got a glimpse of the stars and celebs. Great fun for a teenager.
@@AstonishingGlasgow Really good videos ! You must have carried that bike up the stairs about 10 times for all those angles ! That's dedication to the craft. My dad was an engineer and loved all the stuff happening at the time, he took me to the launch of the QEII, we crossed the Erskine Bridge on its opening, we went to the top of every tall building, when we went somewhere he would find the highest building and we would go to the top if we could, he took me as a baby on the last tram although obviously I don't remember haha, all that sort of thing, so it is nice to see someone like yourself carrying the baton of the Second City's rich history.
I can tell you as I was there to make the video. Walk down Queen Margaret road and you will find them on the left hand side. Unless the 69 steps are different from the 60 steps?
I'm sorry, I replied in haste and missed the joke. We were coming at it from opposite directions 😉 I think there is a flight of steps on Great Western Road that is referred to as the 39 steps.
@@AstonishingGlasgow the new 39 steps are at the bottom of St Vincent Street that leads down to William Street I wonder if you could have a look at a building on Hunter Street if you Google listen Gallery there's a mural on the wall very unusual I've tried to find out about it not much success because the Tenants brewery is across the road it might have something to do with that thanks
Brulliant a good bit of history, man. I live about 2 miles from the westend, and I didn't know this story. I feel educated today. 👍
Great 😊
terrific video thank you for showing
My sisters and myself walked past the sixty steps every week to the Botanics. I still walk the dog there. We called it 'the castle wall' because we were convinced it was a medieval castle! Really good, informative videos. You're obviously an enthusiast for Glasgow history and that comes across clearly. Thanks.
I love hearing local and personal names for things. I have had conversations with people and we can all be talking about the same thing but all have different names for it. I love drawing attention to the lesser known history of Glasgow that gets walked past every day and ignored.
OK, then that's good ❤
I grew up in Hillhead thinking,.. and pronousin it "the potanics"
....for years before I realised! 😂❤
Love this vid DC 😊
...and it sparks conversation ❤
👍💚
You likely already know this, but the Queen Margaret College went on to become part of the University of Glasgow in 1890, and became the Queen Margaret Union. The QMU was the women's Union, first housed at 1 Uni Gardens, then at 12 Uni Gardens (former men's union and current home of the SRC) and finally it moved to 22 Uni Gardens in 1968 where it became a famous gig venue, hosting Queen, Nirvana, Coldplay and many more bands over the years. Might be worth an episode if you're interested! Happy to chat. I worked on an archive project for them a few years back.
Some of the work that went into this and the bridges and railways is amazing think of the hard labour involved
Informative and well made videos, I am from Glasgow, moved 26 years ago, but your videos make me realise there are parts of Glasgow I don't know at all and need to go visit. PS Anyone told you you sound a bit like John Hannah?
Thanks for making this video, great work and has certainly inspired me to go and look for myself.
What an amazing entertaining and informative video! Very educational of my old home town. I didn't even know all of this about the west end. Great work!
Excellent video, my opinion is the Greek's grand designs don't get the kudos that they deserve, i have had the privilege of repairing the slates on 3 of his homes and the detail on the chimney heads lead work and the quality of the original slates is outstanding, always enjoy your videos keep them coming thanks
Excellent. An amazing amount of research and work must go into the making of these videos. Well done !
Very Interesting history of that part of the city. I worked at QMD for the BBC just about all of my career in television. Just prior to migrating to Pacific Quay `I approached the commissioning editor to ask if the occasion would be marked by making a programme about it. They had no plans to make such a programme so myself and a friend who happened to be a BBC colleague decided we would shoot a few frames ourselves. This is link if you are interested. There is also a part 2. ua-cam.com/video/x5RvBYAWaYs/v-deo.html
I was born only a few hundred yards from the steps on the other side of Queen Margaret Drive and used to play in the area around the steps as a youngster. In fact I recall going into the sweetie factory store which was located a few doors up from the foot of the steps on the right and would spend my threepence piece there every week. Great memories.
I appeared on the Untied Shoelaces Show! I have no real recollection of it, but I have a picture of me in a lion costume that I apparently wore on the day.
next level! so much I didn't know in this episode. and cheers for the viv lumsden reminder.
My dad worked in the BBC Studios, so as a kid I often went there, had lunch in the cafeteria and looked out for stars. I think Archie Macpherson was there one time but my dad who loved Dad's Army met and spoke with Arthur Lowe (Captain Mainwaring) one time! My pal's dad also worked there as a producer/director and his most famous work was Scotch and Rye with Riki Fulton. He also did "A Round with Aliss" in the 1980's. ps. Fact for the day :- Scotch and Rye was the biggest selling Scottish video until Ally McCoist brought one out about his football career!
Love these memories, thanks for sharing. My Dad obsessively recorded the BBC new year evening on VHS and as a result I have every episode of Scotch and Wry including the incidentals from Jackie Bird, Paul Coia and Andy Cameron from through the years. About 10 years ago I posted them here but not surprisingly got hit with a copyright strike so I am very careful now with posting BBC material. I think I got away with the Untied shoelaces clip.
I can remember my dad taking me to those steps when I was a child but, in adulthood. I had no idea where they were. Great to see this history.
At three minutes, the feature is a false door with an offering table. It was a feature of the early form of burials in ancient Egypt, the Mastaba. Running right to left, along the top is a row of blocks, this is known as dentil and is a feature of the Greek, Ionic order.
The west end is good byres road, Ashton lane, hillhead,
Another very informative video. I like the bit re the shrapnel damage to the bridge and the fact the new sandstone building had no design flair as did the older ones. With regards Queen Margaret Drive being the BBC Scotland studios, growing up in Aberdeenshire I always thought that address had an almost mythical status as had Grampian TV studios at Queens Cross in Aberdeen before they closed it and built upmarket flats on the site. There seems to be a theme here. I realised in my early 20's that there really was nothing special inside these buildings as my Fiance at the time worked in the scheduling department at Grampian TV so I frequented the Green room and staff bar on many occasions and socialised with the camera crews and "stars" on a regular basis. Sorry to disappoint you and you probably didn't miss much on not being on the show. I look forward to your next video.
Love this comment John ❤
The untied shoelace show! How did i forget that! 😂 thanks for that memory m8 ✊🏻🏴
One names for you...oscar slater...could be a good video..
I had that story on my list after the Charing cross video and the "Square mile of murder" reference and I visited the outside of the house. I just need to work out how to tell it well.
@@AstonishingGlasgow looking forward to it!
The Bionic jump has made me a subscriber,well done
Yet another part of glasgow falling in to disrepair
An absolute disgrace
How many times did you have to go up and down the steps. to make the video. 😊
Four or five times but it felt like I climbed them sixty times :-D
So much for grade b listing when it’s left to rot like this
Laid up with a bad leg and can't get out the house -- thanks for taking me for a walk roon Glesca. I'll visit these places once I'm back on my feet!
Hope the leg recovers soon.
Ahh; coo)
I was on the untied shoelace show😂😂😂😂
I had been walking from Kelvinbridge to the Botanic Gardens several times but never realised the existence of these steps or the old BBC building. The longest route I've ever walked on the Kelvin walkway is from Kelvingbridge to the university observatory which is about 10 km! There are many astonishing places in Glasgow I've missed when I lived there!
great videos
I have no recollection of the Untied Shoelaces Show, agreed, fairly macabre titles. Thanks for the episode, always stunned with the history you manage to dig up.
Oh mate, thank you so much for your constant support, it is very much appreciated. I am almost at capacity on my 4tb hard drive so this will go towards more storage for future episodes.
@@AstonishingGlasgow You're welcome.
Agreed Graham 😊
But I do remember the untied untied shoelaces show, and it's provoked such a memory!!! 😂
excellent
My brother lived in Wilton Street in the 90s and I went and had a poke around there last year. Nice video.
Just below these steps, on the River Kelvin, there was a lime kiln on the river. I saw it as a boy in the 1950s. Anybody know of it?
The ruins of the kiln are all still there. Its often called a flint mill but it produced lime.
@@AstonishingGlasgowThanks for your interest, and your knowledge! I do remember as a boy, throwing the flint boulders at the stones, which created sparks and a bit of smoke, great fun! That was 70 years ago, haven't been there since, hope my memory is correct!
Brilliant post, my wife and I love visiting Glasgow and in all the times I’ve visited I never heard of the 60 steps so guess what is number one on my list next time I visit? Yep you’re right whetherspoons then the 60 steps 😅
If you go to whetherspoons first there may be more than 60 steps by the time you get there. :-D
That was really interesting, mate. Thanks.
I remember being at the QM Studios for a screening of Rab C Nesbitt. They were recording our laughter for post production.
(God, The Untied Shoe Laces Show. Memories...)
I went to the untied shoelaces show ,my friend gran took us,I think the live band was The Jam
I'm jealous for multiple reasons hearing that story. 😃
Just found your channel 👌👌👌 big fan of glasgow regular visiter not been since start of covid but top of our to do...atb from carlisle...👍👍
Used to love the Untied Shoelaces Show. Watched this and Maggie
Do you remember Stookie? I have vague recollections of it but none of the folk I work with remember it and I cant remember enough about it to describe it other than the lead character had a "stookie" on his wrist.
@@AstonishingGlasgow I do remember this. The actor went on to play a son in Rab C me think? He stood beside Peter Mullan at the battle of Stirling Bridge in Braveheart. Small world.
Is the new BBC studios a visual improvement to the old-answers on a postcard to Queen Margaret Drive?
The untied showlaces show, that takes me back. The bridge that was demolished could have been left as a walkway.
I guarantee if it had been left in place to become a walkway the people in those new flats would be petitioning to have it closed.
Thank you for this.
Although I was born and brought up in Glesca, I always learn something watching your videos. Thank you.
Glad you mentioned another part of Astonishing Glasgow Tiger Tim.
Any information on the Steps in Garnethill fron Dalhousie street down across great western road down towards the PDSA building?
This is first episode av watched n av just subscribed. Al watch all ur episodes now a love history about our great city .kp up the gd work m8
My other half was on The Untied Shoelaces show when she was 3 years old. She had two aunties who were models who fancied being on the telly that day and they dragged the wean there and all she did was greet through the whole thing.
I have now watched an episode and I think I felt like greeting after it. Some things dont age well.
Aye, it's pretty bad stuff. Better sticking with Glen Michael's Cartoon Cavalcade.
Hi there, there's a great book called The Luftwaffe Over Scotland which you probably know. What is really interesting in it is the extent and large number of small towns all over Scotland which were bombed. In Glasgow I've tried to find a document or something that maps out the locations. Maybe you could do a follow up on this topic. The one here was really interesting. SC
I am hoping to do a more thorough ww2 in Glasgow video at some point but like you mention, finding out a lot of the bomb locations is a tricky. Thanks for the book recommendation.
I know about the Clydebank blitz but not sure about other areas,we’re quite close to Faslane and the big Singer factory was in clydebank
From what I have been reading, they talked about the Clydebank blitz but heavily played down any attacks that hit Glasgow for morale and tactical reasons. That's why there are a lot less newspaper reports and public records of Glasgow bomb sites. A lot of what we know is from first person memory and sadly as that generation moves on we lose a lot of the stories.
@@AstonishingGlasgow it’s sad ,I think they were best generation ,we should capture their memories and treasure them
Is it true that Dundee was never bombed on Hitlers orders as Churchill had stood for election there as MP and lost ?
Interesting video ,…..regarding former BBC HQ , I read somewhere, that the famous tv play ‘ Abigail’s Party ‘ was filmed there , although a quintessentially Home Counties story , the Glasgow studio was the only one with spare capacity at the time when it came to filming .
I should have put on some Dennis Roussos 😁
... but I was waiting till the very end to see what munch you were gonna go have 😂
:-D, I did wonder if that detail would be missed. I couldnt face food after I got thinking about those severed feet but It will return in the next video.
12.37 big Zlatan
He better keep playing, I'm making a fortune as a Zlatan look alike...........When I say a fortune I really mean nothing. Im not even sure who Zlatan is.
@@AstonishingGlasgow zlatan is zlatan, if he was chocolate he would eat himself, ibramovch
I know it’s not astonishing Glasgow
But can you do a wee bit of walk around Renfrew
It’ll amaze you with the history on the little town
I have plans for a video in the future that will take me into Renfrew and I will see what I can pick out when I am there. Everywhere has astonishing history if you look beyond the every day.
@@AstonishingGlasgow excellent I look forward to the video mate
One thing I’ve tried to find is where the train station used to be
PS go into the town hall in Renfrew the little museum is absolutely brilliant
The Krankies, man! What a throwback
Steve Austin jump made me 😂🎉
I had a Summer job at the BBC on Queen Margaret Drive in 1978/9. I worked in the post room distributing and collecting mail from all the offices, those were the days before email, in fact before computers it was all typewritten stuff so there was a lot, we were about 10 in the post room. it was beautiful inside too. I had lunch in the BBC canteen and we could go to the BBC bar and social club which was on Kelvin Drive I don't remember exactly where around about where the Ambassador is now, and of course got a glimpse of the stars and celebs. Great fun for a teenager.
Thank you for sharing your memories. It must have been an exciting time in TV in the 70's and 80's when TV was at its prime.
@@AstonishingGlasgow Really good videos ! You must have carried that bike up the stairs about 10 times for all those angles ! That's dedication to the craft.
My dad was an engineer and loved all the stuff happening at the time, he took me to the launch of the QEII, we crossed the Erskine Bridge on its opening, we went to the top of every tall building, when we went somewhere he would find the highest building and we would go to the top if we could, he took me as a baby on the last tram although obviously I don't remember haha, all that sort of thing, so it is nice to see someone like yourself carrying the baton of the Second City's rich history.
I'm pretty sure I saw you cycling down Battlefield Road last week! If I spot you again, I'll make sure to wave!
As long as its not a two finger wave I will wave back😀. I stay nearby so there is a very good chance it was me.
@@AstonishingGlasgow Haha! I would never!
@Liz Fox. Flash him 🤷😅😂😅😂
Thanks
Thanks
Why does this channel always give me school video tapes vibes.
Its a wonderful channel, they should be showing this in Glasgow schools !!!
Do you collect fdc or stamps?
I might be being thick but I dont know what fdc is?
@@AstonishingGlasgow first day cover
Can anyone tell me where the sixty nine steps in Glasgow are ?
I can tell you as I was there to make the video. Walk down Queen Margaret road and you will find them on the left hand side. Unless the 69 steps are different from the 60 steps?
@@AstonishingGlasgow I'm sorry just my Idea of a joke but on a more serious side if anyone can tell me were the 39 steps in Glasgow are?
I'm sorry, I replied in haste and missed the joke. We were coming at it from opposite directions 😉 I think there is a flight of steps on Great Western Road that is referred to as the 39 steps.
@@AstonishingGlasgow the new 39 steps are at the bottom of St Vincent Street that leads down to William Street I wonder if you could have a look at a building on Hunter Street if you Google listen Gallery there's a mural on the wall very unusual I've tried to find out about it not much success because the Tenants brewery is across the road it might have something to do with that thanks
Thanks!