Gallus Glasgow X: Glasgow Cross

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Glasgow Cross
Glasgow Cross

I couldn’t think of anything beginning with X so here’s a plausible “cheat”, if you like to call it that (though I bet a lot of other bloggers are having to do the same thing). X, in this case, does not represent a kiss – a Glasgow kiss is something you definitely want to avoid! It’s a headbutt. No, I’m going to talk about Glasgow Cross.

This was the heart of the medieval city, the meeting place of five roads: High Street, Gallowgate, London Road, the Saltmarket and the Trongate. Those roads are all still there, but Glasgow’s centre has moved west over the centuries and the only true remnant of the Cross’s former glory is the Tolbooth Steeple. Today, this sits alone on a traffic island, but when it was built in the 1620s it was part of a more extensive building. The Tolbooth had several uses, including as the seat of the Council until 1814 and, less pleasantly, as a place of public execution (hence Gallowgate. And gallus – remember that third definition I didn’t really want to talk about?) The rest of the Tolbooth was demolished in 1921.

Glasgow Cross
Tollbooth Steeple

Across the road, the Mercat (Market) Cross with its heraldic unicorn looks just as ancient but was only constructed in 1929/30.

Mercat Cross
Mercat Cross Unicorn

Nearing the end! Tomorrow, in Y, we visit a place that generations of Glasgow weans and their parents have had cause to be grateful to.

A to Z Challenge 2015, Scotland, UK ,

42 Comments »

  1. I think the Glasgow Cross works fine for the letter X. I had to be creative with that letter, too. I like the clock tower and the unicorn. I’m wondering what they do with the Mercat Cross. It has a door, so something must go in it.

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  6. The unicorn is actually a beautiful art deco sculpture. I’m happy they kept the Tolbooth. When I hear how much history a place has, I always wish I could go back in time and see it in action for one day… not a gallows day!

    You can find me here:
    ClarabelleRant

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  11. Another great post, Anabel. I think Glasgow Cross is a very acceptable cheat 🙂 I can’t believe that tomorrow’s the penultimate day – where did the time go?

    Fee | Wee White Hoose
    Scottish Mythology and Folklore A-Z

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  14. Pleased that I had guessed you might go for this as one of my daughters uses it as her apartment clock! He just glances out of her window …
    As another blogger remarked they wouldn’t be allowed to tear down the rest of the building today.
    You even got some shots with dry streets :p

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  17. Great way to showcase X since this is a toughy! It’s sad they tore down the rest of the building in 1921. I like that tower and the Unicorn, well, I love unicorns:)

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  18. Q, X and Z are horrible ones! I think you have coped very well so far and I have enjoyed learning so much about a city I have only visited once, briefly! Thank you 🙂

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