A ridge of a horse. That’s what Drumchapel means in Gaelic. A fitting name for this sprawling district in northwest Glasgow. Drumchapel wasn’t always the place you see today.
Before the 1950s Drumchapel was a different landscape. It consisted of a small community and a few farms. Then Glasgow Corporation expanded. They needed to house 34000 people. Drumchapel became the answer. A massive housing estate sprang up. It transformed the area. This new Drumchapel became part of Glasgow. It was annexed in 1938 from Dunbartonshire.
Drumchapel is one of Glasgow’s ‘Big Four’ post-war social housing schemes. Easterhouse Castlemilk and Greater Pollok are the others. They all share a similar story. They faced challenges. Anti-social behavior and poor housing were problems. However Drumchapel’s residents show resilience. Many remain loyal to their homes. New private investment is underway. New homes are being built. Drumchapel is undergoing a regeneration.
The area’s industrial past is also interesting. Goodyear Beattie’s Biscuit Factory and Singers Sewing Machines were major employers. These factories closed in the late 1970s. The Edrington Group Whisky Bond remains. It is still a significant employer in Drumchapel. The shipyards on the Clyde once employed many. Most are gone except for BAE Systems.
Tragedy also struck Drumchapel. In 1994 a bus carrying Girl Guides crashed. The accident claimed lives and injured many. This event remains a dark chapter in Drumchapel’s history.
Today Drumchapel is a mixed community. It’s a place of contrasts. It faces its challenges. It also boasts famous residents. Billy Connolly the comedian and James McAvoy the actor both have roots in Drumchapel. This place is home to resilient people. Drumchapel is much more than just post-war housing. It’s a place with history and character. A place with a future yet to be written.