Glasgow

GLASGOW HISTORY

The name ‘Glasgow’ derives from a Gaelic phrase meaning ‘green valley’ or ‘dear green place’.

Saint Mungo, founder and patron saint of Glasgow is said to have died in his bath on Sunday, January 13 in either 603 or 614. 'Mungo’ was only a nickname, probably meaning ‘dear one’. His real name was Kentigern.

Glasgow Cathedral, also known as St Mungo’s, is said to be on the site of St Mungo’s church.

The origins of Glasgow as an established city derive ultimately from its medieval position as Scotland's second largest bishopric. Glasgow increased in importance during the 10th and 11th centuries as the site of this bishopric, re-organised by King David I of Scotland and John, Bishop of Glasgow.

The first bridge over the River Clyde at Glasgow was recorded from around 1285, giving its name to the Briggait area of the city, forming the main North-South route over the river via Glasgow Cross.

Episcopalian St Andrew's-by-the-Green is the oldest Episcopal church in Scotland. The Episcopalian St Andrew's was also known as the "Whistlin' Kirk" due to it being the first church after the Reformation to own an organ.

The earliest known use of the term “Glaswegian” for an inhabitant of Glasgow was introduced in 1817 by Sir Walter Scott in Rob Roy.

The Arlington Baths Club founded in 1870, is the oldest swimming club in the world.

The world's first international football match was held in 1872 at the West of Scotland Cricket Club's Hamilton Crescent ground in the Partick area of the city. The match, between Scotland and England finished 0–0.

The Horse Shoe Bar in Glasgow was established in 1884 by Cavalry Captain John Scouller. At 104 feet 4 inches in length it is the longest bar in the UK.

The Glasgow Underground Railway was opened by the Glasgow District Subway Company on December 14, 1896. it is the third-oldest underground metro system in the world after the London Underground and the Budapest Metro.

West Street subway station in 1966 with red painted train

The construction of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum (see below) was partly financed by the proceeds of the 1888 International Exhibition held in Kelvingrove Park. The gallery was designed by Sir John W. Simpson and E.J. Milner Allen and opened in 1901, as the Palace of Fine Arts for the Glasgow International Exhibition held in that year.

For much of the 19th century, Glasgow was known as “the second city of the British Empire”.

FUN GLASGOW FACTS

The church of Blessed St John duns Scotus in Glasgow claims to hold the remains of St Valentine in a casket labelled ‘Corpus Valentini Martyris’. The Glasgow church has a continuing dispute with Whitefriars Church in Dublin, which also claims to hold St Valentine’s remains.

The phrase the 'Glasgow Effect', refers to the low life expectancy and poor health of residents of Glasgow compared to the rest of the UK. One in four men in Glasgow die before age 65.

The phrase ‘Glasgow kiss,’ given in the Oxford Dictionary to mean a headbutt, was first seen in 1982.

Glasgow is the fourth-largest city by population in the UK, after London, Birmingham and Leeds.

At 62 metres high, Cineworld Glasgow is the tallest cinema in the world.

According to the 2011 census, 12.2 per cent of Glasgow’s population were born outside the UK.

The world’s last sea-going paddle steamer, Waverley, operates from the Clyde and was built in Glasgow in 1946.

There are more stretch limos in Glasgow than in Los Angeles.

Of the 10 largest general insurance companies in the UK, 8 have a base or head office in Glasgow — including Direct Line, Esure, AXA and Norwich Union.

Source Daily Express