Introduction

Welcome to the Gorbals, a historic part of Glasgow, Scotland. A reputation for social problems has been superseded and the Gorbals is now home to some fascinating urban architecture whilst maintaining links with a past stretching back to the 13th century.

Information on the Gorbals District-Overview

The Gorbals dates back to at least 1285 AD when it was just a small village close to a bridge over the River Clyde. The name may mean either ‘rough village’ ( rough landscape) or ‘wide spacious place’. Growth occurred through the Middle Ages. It was home to a leper hospital in the 14th century. Later went on to gun manufacture and was active in trades such as weaving, skinning and metal working.  From the 17th century through to the 19th century coal was mined in the area. During the 19th century the Gorbals area was heavily industrialised with construction of a canal and then a railway. However, industrial decline in the 20th century was the catalyst for high unemployment and subsequent depopulation. Living conditions in the Gorbals have substantially improved in recent times. The housing stock has undergone a major transformation.

Specific information on the Gorbals

Social History: In the 19th century the Gorbals was one of the poorest parts of Glasgow. The district attracted thousands of, virtually penniless, Jewish refugees who had escaped the persecutions in Russia. After the first World War, Glasgow’s Jewish population reached about 19,000 the majority of which lived in the Gorbals. However, this population has prospered and moved on with virtually no trace remaining in the Gorbals.

Family History: Nearby is the Southern Necropolis which contains the remains of about 250,000 people whilst there are further memorials in the central Rose Garden Cemetery. The Southern Necropolis  is worthy of a visit as it contains the graves of merchants, traders, shipbuilders and architects, mainly from the 19th century. There is a Heritage Trail to guide visitors around this historic site. 

Architecture: There are two aspects here. Firstly, There is a rich diversity of colourful and imaginative architecture. This has transformed the housing stock, and no doubt quality of the residents lives. Examples can be found in the images shown on this page. Secondly, there exists the remains of the Caledonia Road Free Church. This was designed by Glasgow’s famous 19th century architect,  Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson. Thomson has an imposing memorial in the nearby Southern Necropolis burial ground.

Proximity to central Glasgow: The Gorbals is within walking distance of Glasgow City. This entails an interesting route via nearby Glasgow Green along the banks of the River Clyde.

Allan Pinkerton: Gorbals’ Famous Son

Pinkerton (1819-1884) was born at Muirhead Street near the Gorbals Cross. He emigrated to the United States and later founded the Pinkerton National Detective Agency. The agency’s well-known motto was “We never sleep”.

Roy, David and Gary Pinkerton are descendants of Allan Pinkerton, they still reside in Scotland.

Summary Information on Allan Pinkerton.

• Emigrated to U.S.A. in 1842 and established a barrel-making shop near Chicago.This was also a “station” for slaves escaping to the North.
• Chance discovery of coin counterfeiters led to Pinkerton being appointed as deputy sheriff of Kane County. Later, he was appointed as Chicago’s first full-time detective.
• Pinkerton subsequently established his own organisation, the Pinkerton National Detective Agency. This provided private detective services and specialized in the capture of train robbers and counterfeiters.
• By the 1870s Pinkerton’s organisation had established a considerable criminal database.
• In 1861 Pinkerton uncovered a plot to assassinate President Lincoln.He forewarned the President who was able to take evasive action.
• Pinkerton was charged by Lincoln with establishing a “secret service” to glean military intelligence about the Confederates during the Civil War.
• After the Civil War, in 1865, Pinkerton resumed management of his detective agency. By the late 1800s, he had extended to anti-union strike breaking and occasional violence.

More information

For more information on Glasgow, other Scottish cities and Scotland from a visitor perspective please refer Visitors’ Guide to Scotland, ISBN 978-1-9161332-0-4. This publication is also available via Kindle.