Beneath Glasgow’s urban sprawl lies Tollcross. It is an area brimming with history and green spaces. Today, we’ll uncover the story of Tollcross. Prepare to step back in time and explore its evolution.
Tollcross sits north of the River Clyde. It is famed for its international rose trials. The popular Tollcross Park opened in 1897. It is located a mile east of Parkhead.
Once, Tollcross thrived as an industrial hub. Fullarton steel works provided mass employment. Later, McVitie’s biscuit factory became a major employer. The factory operated from the 1920s until its closure in 2022.
Interestingly, part of Tollcross was once known as Egypt. This name came from a farm owned by a soldier stationed in Egypt. The Gordon family owned the farm in the 1920s. Later, the Hamilton family acquired it.
Notably, the poet William Miller rests here. He is the author of “Wee Willie Winkie.”
Now, let’s journey into Tollcross Park. Tollcross House stands proudly within the park. James Dunlop, an owner of Clyde Iron Works, built it in 1848. Architects David Bryce and William Burn designed the house. It replaced a previous house owned by the Corbets. In 1897, the house became a Children’s Museum. It was converted into flats in 1989. Then it was converted into accommodation for the elderly in 2003.
Tollcross Park spans 37 hectares. Glasgow Corporation purchased it from the Dunlop family in 1897. In 2008, Tollcross won the title of Scotland’s best park. It features a children’s farm, a rose garden established in 1986, playing fields, and a secret garden.
Pause for a moment. Visualize the Tollcross Winter Gardens. These conservatories originated in Ardrossan. Baillie A.G. MacDonald gifted them to Glasgow Corporation in 1898. They were carefully moved and rebuilt in Tollcross Park. The cast-iron Victorian conservatory boasts a Latin-cross shape and a dome. Its scrolled cast iron buttresses are remarkable. Sadly, storm damage forced its closure in 2010. The Winter Gardens are listed on the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland. A refurbishment took place between 1998 and 2000. It reopened in November 2000 after fourteen years of closure.
In 1997, the East End Leisure Centre opened in Tollcross Park. It became the Tollcross International Swimming Centre. It hosted swimming events during the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Tollcross is more than just a place. It is a testament to Glasgow’s industrial past and green spaces. The memories of industry, recreation, and community intertwine. From steelworks to biscuit factories, Tollcross has seen it all. Its park offers a green refuge. The tale of Tollcross reminds us that every place has a story.