“Notice the Wee Toll standing proudly amid the bustling roundabout. The Wee Toll is more than just an old building. It is a time capsule holding centuries of stories.
Let’s step back to the 1700s. Some say around 1750. Others believe closer to 1800. Regardless, The Wee Toll’s story begins as a toll house. Tolls were introduced to fund road construction. The Wee Toll collected fees from Glasgow to Ayrshire traffic. Farm produce, cattle, and coaches all paid their share. Imagine the tollkeeper. He collected cash through that very window.
But our tollkeeper was a clever fellow. He obtained a license to run The Wee Toll as a hostel. This boosted his income. Business boomed. Especially during the annual Pollokshaws Race at Pollokshaws Fair. The race was a major event. It drew crowds and whisky sales.
The Wee Toll wasn’t loved by everyone. An Eastwood minister criticized the fair. He saw it as an excuse for “idle people” and whisky consumption.
Over the years, The Wee Toll has seen many changes. It has been a pub and a carriage hire shop. It even served as a house. Muir Smith, a local plumber, installed a bathroom in 1975. The Wee Toll was being renovated. It was turned into a caretaker’s house. He recalls the challenge of fitting a bath in the round building.
In the early 1800s, farmers and cattle were the main traffic. Later, stagecoaches like the Royal Sovereign and Levern Trader stopped here. The Wee Toll became a familiar landmark.
The annual Pollokshaws Race was a highlight. It ran along Barrhead Road now Cowglen Road. The race coincided with Glasgow’s Fair Fortnight. It attracted huge crowds.
For locals like Muir Smith The Wee Toll is more than just a building. It is a reminder of Pollokshaws’ rich history. He remembers growing up in a down-to-earth community.
The Wee Toll stands as a testament to Glasgow’s past. It has witnessed the changing face of Pollokshaws. It reminds us of simpler times. Times of tollkeepers, stagecoaches, and lively fairs.
So, next time you pass The Wee Toll consider its long and varied life. It is a unique piece of Glasgow’s history. It is a landmark with many stories to tell.”