Category: Podcasts

If Glasgow’s Walls Could Talk Series 3

Posted June 27th 2024

In this series we’re delighted to welcome Fay Young onboard as co-host of the episodes which were recorded between March and May 2024.

The first episode was launched on 27 June with an episode released weekly until 29 August.

Tune in to get an exclusive audio tour of Central Station, find out about Glasgow’s Gaelic roots through the study of place-names, and learn about the amazing work of Glasgow photographer Bash Khan.

See below for the episodes & transcripts

SERIES 3 EPISODE 1

Glasgow Central Station main concourse

Hidden Stories of Glasgow Central Station with Jackie Ogilvie

How often do you rush through Glasgow Central Station without a second glance? Never again! Join us on a live, on-location tour with guide Jackie Ogilvie. Discover the station’s fascinating history, hidden architectural details and a behind-the-scenes look at the successful Glasgow Central Station tours. Plus, learn about Jackie’s exciting museum project in the works.

Highlights:
  • Live tour experience with guide Jackie Ogilvie
  • Unveiling the hidden history and architecture of Glasgow Central Station
  • Exploring the popular Glasgow Central Station tours
  • Exclusive scoop on Jackie’s upcoming museum project
Key Moments:
  • 00:00:01 — The stories underneath
  • 00:32:00 — Welcome to the Museum
  • 00:53:00 — WWI Memorial Art Installation
  • 01:05:00 — The Victorian Platform
  • 01:15:00 — Central Station’s evolution
Learn more:

SERIES 3 EPISODE 2

An apple tree in front of an industrial building

Glasgow's Gaelic Place-names with Dr Alasdair Whyte

In episode two, Dr Alasdair Whyte, a Gaelic singer, writer, and Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow, joins Fay to explore the medieval Gaelic roots of Glasgow through its place-names.

Alasdair’s research takes us into parts of Glasgow where Gaelic was spoken a thousand years ago. In this green landscape where cattle grazed, we even catch a shadowy glimpse of the farmer’s daughter who owned Shettleston. Yes, Shettleston! When you know where and how to look, place-names are full of human history.

In this conversation Alasdair draws on the evidence in his recently published book Glasgow’s Gaelic Place-names, co-authored with Katherine Forsyth and Simon Taylor. It caused quite a stir and we are about to find out why.

Highlights:
  • Uncover the Gaelic origins of Glasgow’s place-names with Dr. Alasdair Whyte.
  • Hear stories behind names, like the medieval farmer’s daughter of Shettleston.
  • Explore findings from “Glasgow’s Gaelic Place-names,” co-authored by Alasdair Whyte.
  • See how Gaelic names reflect Glasgow’s landscape and features.
  • Understand the importance of preserving Gaelic place-names.
Key Moments:
  • 00:00:10 — The significance of Gaelic place names in Glasgow
  • 00:19:41 — The origins and meanings of Gaelic place names in Glasgow
  • 00:38:10 — Gaelic place names reflect the natural landscape and features of the area
  • 00:41:05 — The evolution of place names and their adaptation over time
  • 00:51:08 — Preserving Gaelic place names and promoting cultural heritage awareness

SERIES 3 EPISODE 3

Head with a bandana over the eyes singing into a mic. In red letters it says 'The Tenementals'

The Tenementals: A History of Glasgow in Song with Prof. David Archibald

Can a band tell the history of a city? And if so, what would that look and sound like? That’s what Professor David Archibald and his band, The Tenementals, are setting out to do.

In this episode David, a Professor of Film & TV at the University of Glasgow, discusses with Niall and Fay the innovative project which aims to make and tell history through music rather than traditional academic means. The conversation explores how the band, composed of academics, artists, musicians, and filmmakers, challenges conventional historical narratives.

Despite the challenging landscape of the music industry The Tenementals have resonated with audiences, particularly young people, and have so far received an enthusiastic response – they’ll be releasing their first album later this year.
Highlights:
  • ‘Liberated from books’: How The Tenementals’ history is told and made in song
  • Why one song, Peat Bog Soldiers, has already made history
  • Hear a little of The Tenementals live in Glasgow
Key Moments:
  • 00:00:00 — Can a rock band make history?
  • 00:01:15 — The Tenementals, a wild research project
  • 00:02:00 — Constructing a transmedia history of a city
  • 00:18:37 — Songwriting process
  • 00:33:01 — Hope and Revolutionary Histories

SERIES 3 EPISODE 4

A Mackintosh designed weather vain at the top of Glasgow School of Art.

Rediscovering Mackintosh: A Decade After the Glasgow School of Art Fire with Dr Robyne Calvert

This episode promises a heartfelt and insightful exploration of Glasgow’s architectural heritage and the enduring legacy of Charles Rennie Mackintosh as Niall welcomes cultural historian Dr Robyne Calvert, a leading expert on Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald.
Robyne shares her journey to Glasgow in 2007, inspired by Mackintosh’s work which she first encountered two decades ago. Her deep connection to Mackintosh’s architecture, particularly the Glasgow School of Art, is a central theme as she discusses her new book, “The Mack: Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Glasgow School of Art,” which was released in April by Yale University Press.
Robyne recounts her experiences working at the Glasgow School of Art, including the devastation of the fires in 2014 and 2018, and reflects on her transition from being a captivated student to a dedicated scholar.
Highlights:
  • Robyne Calvert’s journey and deep connection to the Mackintosh restoration project
  • The unique aspects of Mackintosh’s design
  • The significance of historical photography to the preservation process
Key Moments
  • 00:00:27 — Mackintosh’s design, not strictly mathematical and intricate reconstruction
  • 00:00:42 — Showcasing Mackintosh’s bespoke craftsmanship
  • 00:02:26 — Calvert’s PhD and deep connection to the Mackintosh restoration project
  • 00:06:05 — Museum object handling to ensure historical accuracy and preservation.
  • 00:08:42 — Photography significance in restoration, capturing details otherwise lost.

SERIES 3 EPISODE 5

Empower Women for Change: Navigating Glasgow as New Scots with Layla Sadr Hashemi and Ume Chauhdry

In today’s episode, Fay introduces Layla Sadr Hashemi and Ume Chauhdry, who share their experiences with the project Thistles and Dandelions, designed to connect ethnic minority women with Glasgow’s cultural heritage. This initiative by Empower Women for Change has been transformative, fostering a sense of belonging among participants.

Layla, originally from Iran, and Ume, from Pakistan, discuss their initial struggles with isolation, language barriers, and cultural differences upon arriving in Glasgow. Discovering EWfC provided them a supportive community and opportunities for personal and professional growth through workshops and training.

Thistles and Dandelions, one of EWfC’s significant projects, ran throughout 2023, engaging women with Glasgow’s heritage beyond just observation. Layla and Ume also describe their involvement with the David Livingstone Birthplace, learning skills in curating, conservation, and exhibition planning, which enhanced their confidence and sense of community.

Highlights:
  • Symbolism of the thistle and its representation of Scottish history and resilience.
  • Layla and Ume discuss the specific challenges that immigrants face when adapting to life in Glasgow.
  • Emphasis on the importance of community support in helping new Scots feel welcomed and empowered.
Key Moments: 
  • 00:00:00 – 00:01:00 — Introduction to the Thistles and Dandelions Project: Discussion on the project’s symbolism and objectives.
  • 00:05:15 – 00:06:30 — Challenges Faced by New Scots: Layla and Ume discuss language barriers and cultural integration.
  • 00:12:45 – 00:14:00 — Empowerment Through Community Support
  • 00:20:30 – 00:22:00 — Personal Stories of Overcoming Adversity: Layla and Ume share personal stories of resilience.
  • 00:28:15 – 00:30:00 — Future Vision for the Project: Plans for expanding the project’s reach and impact
Learn more:
  • You can find out more about Empower Women for Change on their website
  • Learn about the Thistles & Dandelion project on their project blog 
  • Follow Glasgow City Heritage Trust on social media: @GlasgowHeritage #IfGlasgowsWallsCouldTalk
  • Produced by Inner Ear (innerear.co.uk) for Glasgow City Heritage Trust
  • Sponsored by Tunnock’s (tunnock.co.uk)

SERIES 3 EPISODE 6

Black and white images of younger and older women together.

Women In Architecture with Jude Barber & Nicola McLachlen from Voices of Experience

If Glasgow’s Walls Could Talk, what would they say about the female architects that have worked in the industry in the city? This is something that Jude Barber, Nicola McLachlan and Suzanne Ewing have been focussing on since establishing Voices of Experience.
After noticing how male dominated the industry is they worked to start pairing younger female architects with older female architects, many of whom had retired, to record their conversations about their work and experience in the industry.
In this episode, hosted by Fay, and recorded on International Women’s Day, Jude and Nicola tell us more about their inspiration for establishing the group, their plans for its future, and their experiences in the industry.
Highlights:
  • Introduction to Women in Architecture
  • Early career challenges and milestones for women architects
  • Mentorship and building support networks
  • Future vision to enhance gender diversity
Key moments
  • 00:00 – 02:00 — Discussion on the representation and contributions of women in architecture.
  • 05:00 – 07:00 — Insights into the early career challenges and milestones for women architects.
  • 12:00 – 14:00 — Importance of mentorship and building support networks within the industry.
  • 18:00 – 20:00 — Personal stories of overcoming gender biases and industry obstacles.
  • 25:00 – 27:00 — Discussion on future initiatives to enhance gender diversity and inclusion in architecture.

Learn more:
  • Find out more about the Voices of Experience conversations on their website 
  • Follow Glasgow City Heritage Trust on social media: @GlasgowHeritage #IfGlasgowsWallsCouldTalk
  • Produced by Inner Ear (innerear.co.uk) for Glasgow City Heritage Trust
  • Sponsored by Tunnock’s (tunnock.co.uk)

SERIES 3 EPISODE 7

A Place for Stories with Bash Khan

Filmmaker and visual artist, Bash Khan has been working across Glasgow for over 15 years. Growing up in the city he developed a love for the buildings surrounding him, but more importantly he developed a love for the people and communities that used these spaces.
In this episode, Bash talks to Niall and Fay about how he came to be interested in photography and his work across Glasgow. A passionate advocate for public gathering spaces, Bash highlights the importance of accessible, communal areas for storytelling and connection. The conversation also touches on the visual and emotional impact of his large-scale projections on communities.
This episode offers a profound look at how art, community, and public space intersect to create powerful narratives that resonate deeply with viewers.
Highlights:
  • 02:06 — 02:09 Highlights the intrinsic value of individuals in the community.
  • 02:24 — 02:28 Reflects on the value within communities.
  • 11:03 — 14:02: The importance of recognising diverse contributions within the community.
  • 23:63 — 25:55 Bash Khan talks about the role of planners in community projects.
  • 35:55 — 39:52 This segment focuses on valuing individuals within the community.
Key moments
  • Discussion on valuing people’s roles and acknowledging their efforts.
  • Highlights the need for effective planning and involvement from the community to ensure success.
  • Underscores the necessity of appreciating people’s contributions and efforts.
  • Addresses the need to recognise and cherish each person’s unique contributions.
  • Emphasises the collective strength and importance of community members working together.

Learn more:

SERIES 3 EPISODE 8

The Wash House Garden

Restoring the Relationship with the Land with Luna Amanita from The Wash House Garden

In this episode, Fay meets Luna Amanita, co-director of the Wash House Garden – a groundbreaking community enterprise rejuvenating the land behind the historic Parkhead Wash House.
The garden, once a local focal point, continues to prioritise community, seamlessly weaving together the well-being of both people and the environment, cultivating enduring connections through community-based food growing.
Luna discusses the importance of community engagement in deepening the connection with the land. She also talks to Fay about beekeeping and its educational value for the Wash House Garden team and their volunteers.
Join us as we explore their mission to make the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of gardening accessible to all.
Highlights:
  1. Introduction to the Wash House Garden
    • Timestamp: 00:00:00 
    • Luna Amanita describes the Wash House Garden in Parkhead, East Glasgow, noting its diverse volunteer base and the various capacities in which people engage with the space.
  2. Historical Significance and Current Use of the Land
    • Timestamp: 00:02:00
    • Luna explains the historical background of the land, believed to be the drying ground for the old Parkhead wash house and possibly used for food growing during the war. She discusses the transformation of the space into a market garden.
  3. Gardening Practices and Soil Health
    • Timestamp: 00:04:00 
    • Luna details their ecological gardening practices, emphasising soil health through composting and organic material. She mentions the challenges and labour involved in maintaining the garden.
  4. Beekeeping and Education Initiatives
    • Timestamp: 00:13:00 
    • Luna talks about their beekeeping program, including hive inspections and the educational courses they offer. She shares her personal experience and the responsibilities of managing the bees with her team.
  5.  Community Engagement and Volunteer Involvement
    • Timestamp: 00:20:10 
    • Luna discusses the variability in volunteer numbers and the importance of community engagement. She highlights efforts to make the garden more accessible and responsive to the needs and interests of the local community.

Learn more:
  • Connect with The Wash House Garden via their website and follow them on Instagram @TheWashHouseGarden
  • Follow Glasgow City Heritage Trust on social media: @GlasgowHeritage #Is Glasgow Walls Could Talk
  • Produced by Inner Ear (innerear.co.uk) for Glasgow City Heritage Trust
  • Sponsored by Tunnock’s (tunnock.co.uk)

SERIES 3 EPISODE 9

Nebo Peklo's illustration of the Met Tower

Brutal Glasgow with Rachel Loughran & Natalie Tweedie

This week we explore Glasgow’s love-hate relationship with brutalism and discuss our upcoming Brutal Glasgow exhibition with digital curator Rachel Loughran and Glasgow based illustrator Nebo Peklo (Natalie Tweedie), who’s work will be displayed in the interactive, multimedia exhibition.

The idea for the exhibition arose from Rachel’s admiration of Natalie’s drawings on Twitter, and united by their shared interest in brutalism they have come together to create Brutal Glasgow. They also discuss the significance of brutalism in Glasgow, touching on its artistic, social, and political aspects, and the debate over whether to demolish or restore such buildings

Rachel and Natalie emphasise the personal and emotional connections people have with these buildings, how they change over time, and their potential for renewal and hope.
Highlights:
  1. 00:00:00 – 00:00:03 Rachel Loughran starts by discussing the public’s “knee jerk reaction” to Brutalist buildings, setting the tone for the episode.
  2. 00:19:42 – 00:19:43 Natalie Tweedie acknowledges the complexity of evaluating Brutalist architecture, saying, “That’s such a huge question,” indicating the depth of the discussion.
  3. 00:40:12- 00:40:15 The conversation touches on the need to “have a proper look” at Brutalism and the factors surrounding it, suggesting a deeper exploration of the topic.
  4. 01:00:07 – 01:00:09 There’s a personal reflection on exploring Glasgow, particularly the East End, highlighting how Brutalist architecture influences perceptions of different city areas.
  5. 01:19:21 – 01:19:24 The episode concludes with a mention of Glasgow Heritage, encapsulating the importance of the city’s architectural legacy and the podcast’s role in preserving these discussions.
Key Moments
  • Complexities of Brutalism – polarising views.
  • The historical and cultural significance and value in preserving these buildings.
  • How the architectural style of Brutalism connects to a broader understanding of Glasgow city’s character and history.
  • Focus on Glasgow Heritage, emphasising the significance of the city’s architectural legacy

Learn more:
  • Check out Natalie’s work on her website
  • Follow Glasgow City Heritage Trust on social media: @GlasgowHeritage #IfGlasgowsWallsCouldTalk
  • Produced by Inner Ear (innerear.co.uk) for Glasgow City Heritage Trust
  • Sponsored by Tunnock’s (tunnock.co.uk)

SERIES 3 EPISODE 10

The Coca Cola Rollercoaster at the 1988 Glasgow Garden Festival

After the Garden Festival with Lex Lamb, Kenny Brophy & Gordon Barr

The 1988 Garden Festival changed how the world saw Glasgow, and how it saw itself. It lives on only in people’s memories as the buildings, objects and artworks from this temporary event are gone forever – or are they?

Urban Prehistorian Kenny Brophy, Project Leader Lex Lamb, and Holder of the Official Garden Festival Umbrella Gordon Barr for a conversation with Niall & Fay in front of a live audience, to learn how they have used crowdsourcing to build an ever-growing digital record of the hundreds of pavilions, sculptures and attractions that made up the Garden Festival, as well as the experiences of those who made it happen.

Items with Garden Festival stories to tell were discovered across the UK and further afield, from the large (the Coca-cola Roller Coaster, now in Suffolk) to the small (a Garden Festival tea-towel, now in Papua New Guinea). But in addition to relic artefacts and traces in the landscape, the team identified something else: the absence of a proper record of this pivotal event, while memories fade and documents are lost.

Hear how the 1988 Festival was put together, taken apart and spread around the world, and how with the help of hundreds of individual submissions and leads After the Garden Festival are striving to preserve the legacy of a summer where Glasgow shone.
Highlights:
  1. Reflecting on the Legacy of the Garden Festival (00:00 – 02:30): The discussion opens with reflections on how the Glasgow Garden Festival has shaped the city’s landscape and cultural memory.
  2. The Impact of Urban Regeneration Projects (07:45 – 09:30): Insights into the broader impact of urban regeneration efforts in Glasgow, particularly those initiated in the wake of the Garden Festival.
  3. Personal Stories and Memories of the Festival (15:30 – 17:00): The guests share their personal experiences and memories of attending the festival, highlighting its significance on a personal level.
  4. Challenges in Preserving Historical Sites (23:00 – 25:00): The conversation turns to the challenges faced in preserving the historical sites associated with the Garden Festival and other urban regeneration projects.
  5. Looking Forward: Future Projects and Their Potential Impact (30:45 – 32:00): The episode concludes with a discussion about future urban projects in Glasgow and their potential impact on the city’s cultural and physical landscape.

Learn more:
  • Check out After the Garden Festival’s website here to learn more the project
  • Follow Glasgow City Heritage Trust on social media: @GlasgowHeritage #IfGlasgowsWallsCouldTalk
  • Produced by Inner Ear (innerear.co.uk) for Glasgow City Heritage Trust
  • Sponsored by Tunnock’s (tunnock.co.uk)

 

Read Series 3 Episode10 transcript

If Glasgow’s Walls Could Talk is produced by Inner Ear and kindly supported by Tunnock’s.

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If Glasgow’s Walls Could Talk Series 2

Posted June 26th 2024

Series 2 of If Glasgow’s Walls Could Talk was released March to May 2023.

Dive into the lively world of the Moving Image Archive at Kelvin Hall with Dr Emily Munro, discover the lives of Glasgow’s show people and how they inspired Dr Mitch Miller to create the Dialectorgram, and explore the empowering Women Make History Heritage Walks run by Glasgow Women’s Library since 2007.

You can also find out about about spooky paranormal investigations in the city, enjoy a virtual stroll through Glasgow’s parks and green spaces, and join in on chats with the talented photographer Chris Leslie, Sorcha Dallas from The Alasdair Gray Archive, and Joey Simons from the Glasgow Housing Struggle Archive. Plus, don’t miss the special episode recorded live at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

In our grand finale, the tables turn on Niall as Lost Glasgow’s Norry Wilson uncovers his thoughts on the city’s built environment.

It’s a series packed with stories, history, and a whole lot of Glasgow charm!

See below for the episodes & transcripts.

SERIES 2 EPISODE 1

A black and white image of a man wearing a suit and glasses holding film reels.

GLASGOW ON FILM with Dr Emily Munro from National Library of Scotland's Moving Image Archive

In our first episode of Series 2 we welcome Dr Emily Munro, Curator and Learning Officer at the National Library of Scotland’s Moving Imagine Archive for an enlightening discussion about Glasgow on film. The Moving Image Archive is Scotland’s national collection of moving image and is based in Kelvin Hall in the West End of Glasgow, where they care for 46,000 items.

Dr Munro and Niall discuss film makers in and around Glasgow, and the great change that the city has seen over the last 100 years – but also some of the continuities. They also chat about some of the ‘hidden gems’ of the Moving Image Archive and what’s next for the Archive.

Some of the films discussed:
– Great Glasgow Fires https://movingimage-onsite.nls.uk/film/1733

– Glasgow School of Art in 1950s https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/3352

– Eddie McConnell & Oscar Marzaroli later shot this Murray Grigor d. film about Mackintosh https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/2226
– Faces, 1959, d. Eddie McConnell https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/1942
– Our Transport Services, made by the Glasgow Corporation, 1949, https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/0057
– St Enoch Hotel and Station, 1966, https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/4004
– KH-4, starring Bill Forsyth, 1960s, https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/3631
– Mungo’s Medals, 1961, Glasgow Corporation film about new housing developments, https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/2102
– Demolition of Grand Hotel Charing Cross https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/2699 (onsite only)
– The Planner’s Approach, https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/4196 (onsite only)
– Battle of the Styles, 1968, https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/2319
– The Lamplighter, 1956, https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/1500
– Glasgow Gets to Work, 1935, https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/3246

Additional films:
– Spot the Spot, 1926, a quiz made for cinema patrons, https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/0863C
– Shieldhall Chemical Sundries Department, 1959, manufacturing everything from custard and jelly crystals to asprin and shoe polish https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/0616
– Glasgow Takes Care of Its Old Folk, 1949, Innovative Glasgow Corporation ‘cottage’ housing development, designed to provide accommodation for the elderly and to keep elderly couples together https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/0135

– Tribute to Wartime Production, 1941, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth tour Templeton’s carpet factory in Glasgow where women are making army blankets, https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/1625

SERIES 2 EPISODE 2

A photograph of some high rise flats taken from a distance.

A SNAPSHOT OF GLASGOW with photographer Chris Leslie

This week we’re joined by photographer Chris Leslie, who began his career in the Balkans in the 1990s. His 2017 book and multimedia project ‘Disappearing Glasgow’ featured photographs, essays and interviews with people from areas in Glasgow which have dramatically changed in the last ten years including Dalmarnock and the Red Road flats. Niall and Chris discuss the changes that they have seen across the city and the impact this has had on the people that live there.

 

Find out more about Chris’ new book ‘Balkan Journey’ here: https://www.balkanjourney.com/the-book/

This conversation was recorded on 2nd August 2022.

SERIES 2 EPISODE 3

ALASDAIR GRAY'S GLASGOW with Sorcha Dallas from The Alasdair Gray Archive

Alasdair Gray’s iconic work is dotted around the city of Glasgow, but how did the city impact his life and work? This week we’re joined by Sorcha Dallas, Custodian of The Alasdair Gray Archive to discuss all things Alasdair Gray. Sorcha met Gray in 2007 and became Custodian of the archive following his death in 2019. The archive holds a large collection of of Gray’s work which includes sketches, drawings and original prints, as well as a a re-staging of his working studio set up.
This conversation was recorded on 2nd February 2023.

SERIES 2 EPISODE 4

A man holding a pen is drawing onto a large piece of white paper

DRAWING COMMUNITY with Dr Mitch Miller

Glasgow is home to the largest concentration of showpeople in Europe, but they go largely unnoticed in the city until planning issues come to light. In this episode Niall and Dr Mitch Miller discuss the long history of showpeople and their yards in Glasgow, how they have changed and developed over the years, and the current threats to their spaces.
Dr Miller is a social researcher, artist, and cultural activist who comes from a showpeople family. Over the last couple of decades Mitch has become a pioneering presence in Glasgow through his activism. He is perhaps most known for inventing the dialectogram, a piece of graphic art that depicts place from the ground up in collaboration with communities.
This conversation was recorded on 24th January 2023.

Read Series 2 Episode 4 transcript

SERIES 2 EPISODE 5

A black and white image of a ghost girl floating down an alley

GHOSTS OF GLASGOW with Jan Murdoch-Richards from Lanarkshire Paranormal

Whilst Glasgow may not be as famous as Edinburgh for its ghosts and ghouls, there are still stories of many spooky goings on around the city. Join Jan Murdoch-Richards from Lanarkshire Paranormal to hear about their investigations in and around Glasgow.

This conversation was recorded on 11th August 2022.

Read the Series 2 Episode 5 Transcript

SERIES 2 EPISODE 6

Black and white image of a Glasgow high rise with a woman and child walking in front of it.

HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT: GLASGOW'S HOUSING STRUGGLE with Joey Simons from the Glasgow Housing Struggle Archive

Joey and Niall discuss the newly formed Glasgow Housing Struggle Archive and how it informs and is informed by Glasgow’s strong connection to housing struggles and movements throughout history. Joey tells us about the Archive, what its aims are and how he envisions it evolving. He also chats with Niall about the tradition of rent strikes, occupations and protest that continues up to today.
Joey is a writer and artist from Glasgow. He is co-founder of the Glasgow Housing Struggle Archive, a member of the National Committee of Living Rent –  Scotland’s tenants’ union. He is currently working on a number of projects with the CCA, Platform, Glasgow Sculpture Studios, Edwin Morgan Trust and the Travelling Gallery.
This conversation was recorded on 23rd February 2023.

Read the Series 2 Episode 6 Transcript

SERIES 2 EPISODE 7

A colour image of Glasgow Royal Infirmary with trees outside

HOSPITALS, HEALTH & HERITAGE with Dr Hilary Wilson and Dr Kate Stevens, Friends of Glasgow Royal Infirmary

In our first ever live podcast recording we’re joined by Dr Hilary Wilson and Dr Kate Stevens from Friends of Glasgow Royal Infirmary to hear about the history of the development of Glasgow Royal Infirmary, the many pioneering healthcare providers that worked at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, and their experiences setting up the recently opened museum in the Royal Infirmary.

This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience in the museum at Glasgow Royal Infirmary on 24th August 2022.

Read the Series 2 Episode 7 Transcript

SERIES 2 EPISODE 8

WOMEN MAKE HISTORY with Gabrielle Macbeth and Anabel Marsh, Glasgow Womens Library

We’re joined by Gabrielle Macbeth, Volunteer Coordinator at Glasgow Women’s Library and Anabel Marsh, one of the Library’s longest serving volunteers who tell Niall about their pioneering walking tours which started in 2007. We hear how the staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to highlight women’s diverse but often unrecognised impact on the city of Glasgow.

This conversation was recorded on 2 March 2023.

Read the Series 2 Episode 8 Transcript

SERIES 2 EPISODE 9

DEAR GREEN PLACE with Fiona Sinclair, Conservation Architect

In our penultimate episode of the Series Niall and conservation architect Fiona Sinclair take a metaphorical walk through Glasgow’s many parks and green spaces. They talk about the Victorians who planned these spaces for citizens to enjoy more than a hundred and fifty years ago, how they have changed over time, and how they’ve been used, with a stop at some of the well known glasshouses along the way.

This conversation was recorded on 9th February 2023.

Read the Series 2 Episode 9 Transcript

SERIES 2 EPISODE 10

A NATTER WITH NIALL with Norry Wilson, Lost Glasgow

Have you wondered what Niall’s favourite building in Glasgow is? Well this week you can find out! The tables are turned on Niall as his good friend Norry finds out about how he ended up at GCHT and any lessons he’s learned from the podcast.

Norry Wilson is a well known figure in Glasgow, having set up Lost Glasgow in 2012. Norry is a journalist and social historian with a lifelong fascination with his home city, Glasgow.  His Lost Glasgow Facebook page and Twitter accounts, with their mix of archive images and stories relating to Glasgow’s history, have amassed a huge following over the years.

This conversation was recorded on 16th March 2023.

Read the Series 2 Episode 10 Transcript

If Glasgow’s Walls Could Talk is produced by Inner Ear, sponsored by National Trust for Scotland and kindly supported by Tunnock’s.

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Ever wondered which buildings in your neighbourhood are listed, or even on Scotland’s Buildings at Risk Register?

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Read more
Read our latest blog post about our Ghost Signs of Glasgow project, pondering the nature of ghost signs and what they tell us about the urban landscape.

Blog Post: Ghosts and Zombies

Read our latest blog post about our Ghost Signs of Glasgow project, pondering the nature of ghost signs and what they tell us about the urban landscape.

Read more
Download our Kid's Heritage Trails!

Enjoy Family Fun with our Kids Trails!

Download our Kid’s Heritage Trails!

Read more

Become a Friend of Glasgow City Heritage Trust

Each year, our events help over 2000 people to understand and appreciate Glasgow's irreplaceable built heritage. Can you help us to reach more people?

We are hugely grateful for the support of our Friends whose subscriptions help cover the costs of these events, thereby ensuring accessible pricing for everyone in Glasgow in these challenging times.

The easiest way to support the Trust’s work is to join our Friends scheme. Our tiered loyalty scheme means you can choose the level that’s right for you.

Click to find out all the benefits of membership

If Glasgow’s Walls Could Talk Series 1

Posted June 26th 2024

If Glasgow’s Walls Could Talk was first launched in October 2021 and features Niall speaking with guests across 10 episodes about different aspects of Glasgow’s historic built environment and the people that live and work in it.

Click on the links below to learn about the mapping of queer heritage with Dr Jeffrey Meek from Glasgow University, to hear a discussion about heritage spaces and disabilities with Accessibility Consultant Emily Rose Yates, or to go on a virtual night out with Norry Wilson from Lost Glasgow, with stop offs at some well known historic music venues! Other topics include tenement living, murals and historic cinemas.

Listen to the episodes & read the transcript below.

SERIES 1 EPISODE 1

ARE YOU DANCING? YES WE ARE ASKING! with Norry Wilson from Lost Glasgow

In this episode we talk about historic music venues and ballrooms, such as the Barrowland Ballroom and the Apollo, and their role as spaces of interaction and connection within the city. Do you have special memories linked to a music venue? How important are places like this for our collective memory?

Few know more about Glasgow’s memories than Norry Wilson of Lost Glasgow, who joined us as our guest for this episode. Norry is a journalist and social historian with a lifelong fascination with his home city, Glasgow.  His Lost Glasgow Facebook page and Twitter accounts, with their mix of archive images and stories relating to Glasgow’s history, have amassed a huge following over the years.

Read the Episode 1 Transcript

SERIES 1 EPISODE 2

DISAPPEARED GLASGOW with Reverend John Harvey, former member of Gorbals Group Ministry and Stuart Baird, Glasgow Motorway Archive

This episode features two great guests discussing the architectural, structural and social transformations that Glasgow went through in the 20th century, and what they meant for the communities who were affected by the changes. 

After the Second World War, the majority of the houses built during the Victorian period were considered a “housing problem” due to their high density, poor sanitation and structural deficiencies. In the second half of the 20th century, the most common solution to solving this “housing crisis” was to demolish the old tenements and re-house the population.

Our guests are Reverend Dr. John Harvey, who lived in the Gorbals as a member of the Gorbals Group Ministry in the early 1960s, and Stuart Baird, Founder and Chair of the Glasgow Motorway Archive, the largest private collection of road and transport records and photographs in Scotland.

Read the Episode 2 Transcript

Image copyright, by permission of Scottish Jewish Archives Centre

SERIES 1 EPISODE 3

MAPPING QUEER SCOTLAND with Dr Jeffrey Meek

In this episode we talk about Scottish LGBTQ+ history and places, and how queer stories are researched and interpreted.

Today, LGBTQ+ people in Scotland can marry, adopt children and pursue wonderful careers. Political leaders and public figures can openly identify as gay or bisexual, and Scotland recently topped two European league tables measuring legal protections offered to LGBTQ+ people. But this is all very recent, and Scotland only decriminalised gay sex between consenting men in 1980.

Queer spaces such as bars, pubs, bookshops, squares and parks therefore play a very important role in queer history. But how can we research and collect queer stories and what sort of traces did past queer people leave behind?

We explore this topic with Dr. Jeffrey Meek, Lecturer in Economic and Social History at Glasgow University and Founder and Curator of QueerScotland, a fascinating website  and research tool showcasing historical maps of queer places and spaces in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee and across the wider Central Belt.

Read the Episode 3 transcript

SERIES 1 EPISODE 4

TENEMENT LIFE with Ana De la Vega, Tenement House and Allistair Burt, Camphill Gate

This double guest episode is about the history of tenements in Glasgow and what it is like to live in a tenement now compared to living in one at the start of the 20th Century.

Living in a tenement is extremely common in Glasgow, as stone tenements have been part of the fabric of our city since the 19th century. According to recent research, around 73% of Glaswegians live in a tenement of some sort!

Tenements were first built during the industrial revolution to accommodate large numbers of people moving to the city to work. At this time, Glasgow’s population grew from a quarter of a million at the start of Queen Victoria’s reign to 760,000 at the end of it.

In this episode we will be discussing tenement living in the past with Ana Sánchez-De La Vega, Visitor Service Supervisor at the Tenement House (NTS) and tenements as communities now with Allistair Burt, who owns a flat at Camphill Gate, a B-Listed tenement on Glasgow’s Southside.

Read the Episode 4 transcript

SERIES 1 EPISODE 5

A MULTIPLICITY OF VOICES: SLAVERY AND GLASGOW with Katie Bruce, Curator at GoMA, Glasgow Museums

From the 1700s until the UK abolished slavery in 1833, many Glasgow merchants made their fortune from trading tobacco, sugar, rum and cotton produced by enslaved people on plantations or in factories.

Historians have recorded 19 slave voyages leaving Greenock and Port Glasgow in the six decades between 1706 and 1766, carrying roughly 3000 people into slavery. Many historic buildings and areas in Glasgow are linked with these trades.

In this episode we talk to Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) Curator Katie Bruce about the different ways in which this aspect of Glasgow’s history can be researched, interpreted and highlighted, with a special focus on the GoMA building and its convoluted history.

Read the Episode 5 transcript. 

SERIES 1 EPISODE 6

ACCESSIBILITY AND HERITAGE with Accessibility Consultant Emily Rose Yates

Glasgow is famous for its stunning historic buildings dating from the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries, when the city was known as the Second City of the Empire.

Unfortunately, a lot of these heritage spaces are inaccessible to many people living, working and visiting Glasgow. Barriers are at the root of disabled people’s exclusion and are an obstacle to their enjoyment and appreciation of heritage, culture and art.

In Scotland, one in five people are disabled. Only 8% of Scottish people with disabilities are wheelchair users, and 70% have disabilities which are invisible. (Visit Scotland 2021 Survey, 2021). Access needs are as unique and individual as the person who requires them.

In this episode we talk about accessibility, representation and inclusivity in heritage spaces with Accessibility Consultant Emily Rose Yates.

Read the Episode 6 transcript. 

SERIES 1 EPISODE 7

SPLASHES OF COLOUR AROUND THE CITY with John Foster, City Centre Mural Trail and Ali Smith, Art Pistol

During the last decade, mural painting has flourished in Glasgow, and they can be found all over the city, covering a huge range of topics from saints’ lives to flying taxis, pelicans, swimmers and poems.

The Glasgow City Council’s Mural Fund is a scheme which offers support towards the costs involved in creating and delivering new murals in the city centre.

In this episode we discuss how Glasgow’s murals enrich the urban landscape and the process behind their creation with John Foster, Project Lead for the City Centre Mural Trail and Ali Smith, Director of Art Pistol projects, the company behind some of the most iconic murals in the city.

Read the Episode 7 transcript.

SERIES 1 EPISODE 8

THERE IS NOTHING MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN POTENTIAL: COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP AND HISTORIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS with Martin Avila, Kinning Park Complex

Have you ever wondered why there are so many historic school buildings in our city?

The high number of old schools in Glasgow relates to the Education Scotland Act of 1872, which made elementary education compulsory and free for all children between the ages of 5 and 13. In Glasgow alone, 75 new schools were built between 1873 and 1918.

The cost, upkeep and preservation of these massive Victorian and Edwardian School Board buildings has been a constant challenge for the council, the pupils and teachers and the larger school communities.

So what can community’s do to save these buildings? Are they salvageable? Are they even worth saving?

In this episode we focus on a great example of a community taking ownership and repurposing a historic school building. The Kinning Park Complex is an independent multi use community space in the Southside of Glasgow, located in an old red sandstone building and originally built in 1916 as an annex to the Lambhill Street Primary School.

Martin Avila, former Director of Kinning Park Complex, talks about the challenges and the joys of community ownership.

Read the Episode 8 transcript. 

SERIES 1 EPISODE 9

MUCH MORE THAN JUST FOOTBALL: HISTORIC STADIUMS AND FOOTBALL MEMORIES with Robert Harvey, Football Memories Scotland

People and social interactions are at the heart of football, just like stadiums and other venues linked to a specific sport, such as pubs and clubs.

Football Memories Scotland is a project which provides opportunities for people with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia to reminisce through discussion of archive football images. The Scottish football archive at the Scottish Football Museum holds thousands of images covering the history of the game in Scotland. These images are used as memory triggers for participants and can assist with short term memory recall.

This episode’s guest is Robert Harvey, Volunteer and Area Co-ordinator for Glasgow, Football Memories Scotland.

Read the Episode 9 transcript. 

SERIES 1 EPISODE 10

ENTERTAINMENT MAKES GLASGOW with Judith Bowers, Britannia Panopticon and Gary Painter, Scottish Cinemas Project

Across the 19th and 20th centuries, Glasgow was home to a huge number of music halls, theatres, and cinemas, which served and entertained the population. These spaces occupied a significant role in the social and architectural life of the city and in people’s memories, and many still do.

Join us for a double guest episode about the entertainment industry of the past, with a focus on historic music halls, theatres, and historic cinemas with Judith Bowers, Founder and Director of the Britannia Panopticon Music Hall campaign and Gary Painter, co-founder of the Scottish Cinemas Project.

Read the Episode 10 transcript. 

If Glasgow’s Walls Could Talk is produced by Inner Ear, sponsored by National Trust for Scotland and kindly supported by Tunnock’s.

You might also be interested in...

Ever wondered which buildings in your neighbourhood are listed, or even on Scotland's Buildings at Risk Register? Our new interactive map shows data collated between February and April 2018 which gives a snapshot of the current state of Glasgow’s historic built environment.

Glasgow Historic Environment: A Snapshot – 2019

Ever wondered which buildings in your neighbourhood are listed, or even on Scotland’s Buildings at Risk Register?

Our new interactive map shows data collated between February and April 2018 which gives a snapshot of the current state of Glasgow’s historic built environment.

Read more
Read our latest blog post about our Ghost Signs of Glasgow project, pondering the nature of ghost signs and what they tell us about the urban landscape.

Blog Post: Ghosts and Zombies

Read our latest blog post about our Ghost Signs of Glasgow project, pondering the nature of ghost signs and what they tell us about the urban landscape.

Read more
Download our Kid's Heritage Trails!

Enjoy Family Fun with our Kids Trails!

Download our Kid’s Heritage Trails!

Read more

Become a Friend of Glasgow City Heritage Trust

Each year, our events help over 2000 people to understand and appreciate Glasgow's irreplaceable built heritage. Can you help us to reach more people?

We are hugely grateful for the support of our Friends whose subscriptions help cover the costs of these events, thereby ensuring accessible pricing for everyone in Glasgow in these challenging times.

The easiest way to support the Trust’s work is to join our Friends scheme. Our tiered loyalty scheme means you can choose the level that’s right for you.

Click to find out all the benefits of membership

***SOLD OUT*** Live Podcast Recording: In Conversation with After the Garden Festival

Posted April 2nd 2024

A floating tap sculpture during After the Garden Festival, the South Rotunda is in the background.

Tuesday 30 April | 18:30-20:45 | South Rotunda, 100 Govan Road, Glasgow, G51 1AY

Join us for an exclusive live recording for Series 3 of ‘If Glasgow’s Walls Could Talk’, our podcast which explores relationships between the city’s historic buildings and places and its communities. Since the launch of series 1 in October 2021 we’ve published 20 episodes and had over 16, 500 downloads. Listen to Series 1 and 2 here!

The 1988 Garden Festival changed how the world saw Glasgow, and how it saw itself. It lives on only in people’s memories as the buildings, objects and artworks from this temporary event are gone forever – or are they?

Join Urban Prehistorian Kenny Brophy, Project Leader Lex Lamb, and Holder of the Official Garden Festival Umbrella Gordon Barr for a conversation with GCHT Director, Niall Murphy and journalist Fay Young, to learn how they have used crowdsourcing to build an ever-growing digital record of the hundreds of pavilions, sculptures and attractions that made up the Garden Festival, as well as the experiences of those who made it happen.

Items with Garden Festival stories to tell were discovered across the UK and further afield, from the large (the Coca-cola Roller Coaster, now in Suffolk) to the small (a Garden Festival tea-towel, now in Papua New Guinea). But in addition to relic artefacts and traces in the landscape, the team identified something else: the absence of a proper record of this pivotal event, while memories fade and documents are lost.

Hear how the 1988 Festival was put together, taken apart and spread around the world, and how with the help of hundreds of individual submissions and leads After the Garden Festival are striving to preserve the legacy of a summer where Glasgow shone.

The recording is taking place in the South Rotunda, which is now offices for Malin Group, a marine engineering company, but was the base for a Nardini’s during the Festival. Guests will also be taken on a short tour of the building and be given the chance to learn a bit more about its history over some refreshments.

To donate directly to the project please visit: https://www.glasgowgardenfestival.org

You might also be interested in…

Ever wondered which buildings in your neighbourhood are listed, or even on Scotland's Buildings at Risk Register? Our new interactive map shows data collated between February and April 2018 which gives a snapshot of the current state of Glasgow’s historic built environment.

Glasgow Historic Environment: A Snapshot – 2019

Ever wondered which buildings in your neighbourhood are listed, or even on Scotland’s Buildings at Risk Register?

Our new interactive map shows data collated between February and April 2018 which gives a snapshot of the current state of Glasgow’s historic built environment.

Read more
Read our latest blog post about our Ghost Signs of Glasgow project, pondering the nature of ghost signs and what they tell us about the urban landscape.

Blog Post: Ghosts and Zombies

Read our latest blog post about our Ghost Signs of Glasgow project, pondering the nature of ghost signs and what they tell us about the urban landscape.

Read more
Download our Kid's Heritage Trails!

Enjoy Family Fun with our Kids Trails!

Download our Kid’s Heritage Trails!

Read more

Become a Friend of Glasgow City Heritage Trust

Glasgow City Heritage Trust is an independent charity and your support is crucial to ensure that our charitable work promoting the understanding, appreciation and conservation of Glasgow’s historic buildings for the benefit of the city’s communities and its visitors continues now, and in the future.

The easiest way to support the Trust’s work is to join our loyalty scheme. Our tiered loyalty scheme means you can choose the level that’s right for you.

Click to find out all the benefits of membership

If Glasgow’s Walls Could Talk podcast

Posted January 17th 2022

With over 18,000 downloads, our podcast is thriving! While most podcasts don’t get past three episodes, we’ve delivered 20 and are gearing up for 10 more. We’re excited for you to hear what’s next as we explore the unique bond Glaswegians have with their city.

Each episode dives into a specific area, type of building, or aspect of Glasgow’s heritage, blending architectural history with community stories.

Catch up on all our episodes, complete with transcripts:

Niall, Fay and Dougal from Inner Ear, during the live recording at Central Station.

The first two series feature Niall Murphy, Director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust, chatting with guests about their personal experiences and memories. Niall’s deep knowledge of Glasgow’s architecture and his popular #MomentsofBeauty tweets, which began during lockdown, have gained quite a following.

For Series 3 we welcomed Fay Young as a co-host. Fay, a talented journalist who worked behind the scenes on Series 2, brings her storytelling magic to the podcast.

Curious about how the podcast is made? Check out our exclusive interview with Dougal Perman, Director & co-founder of Inner Ear, the production team behind If Glasgow’s Walls Could Talk.

If Glasgow’s Walls Could Talk is produced by Inner Ear, sponsored by National Trust for Scotland and kindly supported by Tunnock’s.

You might also be interested in...

Ever wondered which buildings in your neighbourhood are listed, or even on Scotland's Buildings at Risk Register? Our new interactive map shows data collated between February and April 2018 which gives a snapshot of the current state of Glasgow’s historic built environment.

Glasgow Historic Environment: A Snapshot – 2019

Ever wondered which buildings in your neighbourhood are listed, or even on Scotland’s Buildings at Risk Register?

Our new interactive map shows data collated between February and April 2018 which gives a snapshot of the current state of Glasgow’s historic built environment.

Read more
Read our latest blog post about our Ghost Signs of Glasgow project, pondering the nature of ghost signs and what they tell us about the urban landscape.

Blog Post: Ghosts and Zombies

Read our latest blog post about our Ghost Signs of Glasgow project, pondering the nature of ghost signs and what they tell us about the urban landscape.

Read more
Download our Kid's Heritage Trails!

Enjoy Family Fun with our Kids Trails!

Download our Kid’s Heritage Trails!

Read more

Become a Friend of Glasgow City Heritage Trust

Each year, our events help over 2000 people to understand and appreciate Glasgow's irreplaceable built heritage. Can you help us to reach more people?

We are hugely grateful for the support of our Friends whose subscriptions help cover the costs of these events, thereby ensuring accessible pricing for everyone in Glasgow in these challenging times.

The easiest way to support the Trust’s work is to join our Friends scheme. Our tiered loyalty scheme means you can choose the level that’s right for you.

Click to find out all the benefits of membership