Question. What does the name Braidfauld mean? The name Braidfauld echoes through time. It whispers tales of fallow lands and grazing sheep.
Braidfauld is a small area in Glasgow. It sits north of the River Clyde. It lies south of Tollcross. It holds stories within its streets and place names.
“Braid” is Old Scots for the top of a slope. “Fauld” signifies poorer fallow land. Farmers left it to rest and be manured by grazing animals. Thus, Braidfauld means “fallow land at the top of the slope.”
But where did the name come from? It comes from Braidfauld Farm. This farm appeared on local maps until the 1930s. It sat at the junction of London Road and Braidfauld Avenue.
Let’s delve deeper into Braidfauld’s past. Once, the Number 9 tram terminated on Braidfauld Street. It stood opposite Auchenshuggle woods. Auchenshuggle was a small hamlet. It lay slightly to the northeast. It was part of the Easterhill Estate. Glasgow merchants built Easterhill House as a country retreat. Sadly, it’s now demolished.
Other farms once dotted the landscape of Braidfauld. These included Maukinfauld Farm and Newbank House. These farms all appeared on an 1865 map. Notice Maukinfauld. Its name also tells a story. It was the “fallow land pestered by hares.” “Maulkens” is the Scots word for hares.
Braidfauld has changed greatly over time. Glasgow’s tobacco merchants once favored this area. They built country estates here. Easterhill House and Dalbeth House stood proudly. Westthorn House and Belvidere House also graced the landscape. Thomas Annan photographed each in the late 19th century. Sadly, none of these buildings remain today. They were all demolished. Housing now occupies their estates. However, at the entrance to 1920 London Road, you can still see remains of the lodge house for Dalbeth House.
Today, Braidfauld is part of the larger Shettleston ward. Braidfauld ward was an artificial creation. Few residents fully recognized the name. They felt more connected to neighboring areas. These areas included Lilybank, Parkhead, and Tollcross.
But the name Braidfauld persists. It reminds us of the area’s agricultural past. It speaks of slopes and fallow land. It tells of farms and merchants’ estates. Braidfauld carries these stories into the present day. Next time you pass through, remember its rich history. Think of the land and its people. Imagine the trams and farms that once defined this unique place.