GALLOWGATE INFANTRY
BARRACKS,
Gallowgate
Glasgow has never been a major centre for routine military occupation, although it's Bishop's Castle did play an occasional subsidiary role in the major events of the nation. That stronghold had been occupied at various times by invading English armies from the days of Wallace and Bruce, as well as by French troops providing support during the Regency of Marie de Guise (1554-60). However, over the centuries there was usually some form of military presence in the town, be it friendly or hostile.
It would appear that in earlier years troops in Glasgow even hired themselves out as labourers during their free time. Historical accounts of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Chapel suggest that troops were engaged in its construction in the early 18th century. The Episcopal Church not only benefited from this labour; the troops were a source of adherents - particularly the officers.
The late 18th century was a time of great concern for the Government. There was social unrest throughout Europe which had culminated in the French Revolution of 1789 and the ensuing war with France. Scotland had already experienced two Jacobite Rebellions, in 1715 and 1745, with the deposed Stuart dynasty being aided and abetted by their French allies. With the death of Charles Edward Stuart* the Jacobite threat was a spent force, nevertheless the Government was still wary of revolt in the north. In the circumstances it is not surprising that it decided to establish military barracks in the major population centres of Scotland to discourage rebellion.
The location for the Glasgow infantry barracks was a site fronting the Gallowgate, on the ancient Butts, with the newly opened Barrack Street as its eastern boundary. This position may have been determined somewhat by the riots which had occurred in the Calton during the Weavers Strike of 1787 - the weavers being perceived as particularly revolutionary in their views. The barracks was built in 1795 at a cost £1500 and could accommodate 1200 soldiers. It was extended in 1820.
Accommodation for the military had always been an issue to a greater or lesser degree. In the years prior to the building of the barracks, certain sections of the citizenry were expected to provide billeting for two soldiers for up to eight weeks at a time; a requirement which was greatly resented. Probably the most famous instance of this in Glasgow history concerned James Wolfe, later hero of the Canadian wars, who fared better than most when he was allocated the Camlachie Mansion for his use while in the city. The provision of an actual barracks finally relieved the people of this onerous burden.
Although many soldiers stationed at Glasgow went to fight overseas, and distinguished themselves in doing so, there always remained sufficient numbers to deal with any disturbances which arose on the home front. At the time of the 1820 "Insurrection" the troops were called out to defend the town against the Radical uprising, and during the 1848 Bread Riots they were used to quieten the population. During significant fires, they were also used to maintain crowd control while the firefighters went about their duties. This was at a time when there was no effective police force and so the military had to undertake the role.
The Gallowgate barracks fell into dereliction after new quarters were built in Maryhill in 1874. One reason suggested for the transfer west was to remove the soldiers from the "exceptional depravity" which existed in the Gallowgate at the time. Concern for the soldiers' moral well-being may indeed have been a factor, but it was most probably for the same reasons that the University had gone a few years before - the Gallowgate was an extremely unhealthy place to live. It has been recorded in the later Victorian period that there were more admissions to hospital from the Gallowgate barracks than from any other in Scotland. In addition, the opportunity was taken to accommodate both infantry and cavalry in one barracks, the cavalry having been located elsewhere in the city prior to the advent of the Maryhill complex.
Some writers have recorded that the land upon which the barracks was built had belonged to the Town and University and was sold to the Government for a token payment. McIntosh (1902) in his book about the origin of Glasgow street names claims otherwise, that the military were only allowed the use of the land, not sold it, and that it should have been returned to the original owners after it was no longer required. "In the circumstances it was fully expected that the ground which the War Office authorities had so long enjoyed the free use of would have been handed back to the city to be utilised as an open garden space, which was much needed in the district, but with that parsimony which is invariably shown to Scotland in things Imperial a deaf ear was given to all remonstrance, and the place was sold for a very large sum to a railway company."
The site is now occupied by a variety of commercial premises which are enclosed on three sides by the substantial remains of the original 18th century walls.
© 2005 Gordon Adams
