Captain Christie’s single horse. That’s all that the 1797-98 tax records reveal about Riddrie. A quiet place then. Sparsely populated. A stark contrast to the bustling Riddrie we stand in today.
Riddrie in Glasgow. A north-eastern district. It wasn’t always a residential area brimming with life. Its history stretches back further than you might think. Long before the 1920s semi-detached houses and tenement buildings. Even before the infamous Barlinnie Prison cast its imposing shadow.
The Monkland Canal. A vital artery of industry. It began in 1770 thanks to James Watt’s vision. Coal travelled its waters. Ironworks in Coatbridge flourished. Riddrie was a key point. A drawbridge stood here. Coal was sold at competitive prices. The canal’s legacy is less obvious today. The M8 motorway now occupies its path. Junction 12 is our Riddrie gateway. This motorway section. Designed for 45.000 vehicles daily in 1978. Carries over 70.000 today.
Imagine children playing near the canal. A dangerous game. Many drowned. A sad fact. Their stories are sadly lost to time. But their legacy led to the canal’s infilling. Turning a deadly waterway into a major thoroughfare.
The Riddrie housing scheme. A response to the desperate housing shortage after World War I. 1.000 houses. Built between 1920 and 1927. They were an innovation. Cavity insulation. Electric provision. Homes for respectable wage earners. People of good character. A community was born. The first council housing scheme built under the Addison Act.
Riddrie’s identity wasn’t just shaped by bricks and mortar. There was a library. A bowling club. A cinema that became a bingo hall. An Art Deco gem. Riddrie’s community spirit thrived. A ratepayers’ association. Meetings in Gadie Street. A testament to a community’s resolve.
Alasdair Gray. The renowned artist. He grew up here. His childhood shaped his art. His descriptions of tree-lined streets and well-kept gardens. This is a Riddrie you may not find in history books. A Riddrie of memory.
The Seven Lochs Wetland Park. A testament to Riddrie’s transformation. Nature reclaims a space. Providing a breathing space. A connection to the nearby Hogganfield Loch. This is a Riddrie that embraces the future. One that looks to a greener tomorrow.
Riddrie’s story is one of contrasts. From sparse beginnings. To a vibrant community. A place of industry. A place of quiet reflection. A place constantly evolving. But always. Riddrie.