A Glasgow perspective: up on the roof

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Three months in lockdown tramping the same few routes from our front door every day certainly gave us a new perspective on our city. We began to spot small details that had previously eluded us in our rush to get from one place to another. Definite themes emerged to our collection of photographs and, just when you need one, along comes a challenge that allows them to be shared – the ones that look good square at least. Becky’s July Squares theme is perspectives – various interpretations are possible, and mine is “Point of View – a particular way of considering (looking at) something”. I’ll be dropping in occasionally with a new point of view on Glasgow.

Today’s theme is roofs. You might well recognise my header which is Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, an unmistakeable Glasgow landmark, but what about the one below? This splendid roof belongs to Partick Burgh Hall, designed by William Leiper in the French Renaissance style and completed in 1872. It was the home of Partick Burgh Council until the Burgh was annexed by Glasgow in 1912.

Here is a selection of other roofs and roof decorations, all within walking distance of home. As you can see, we found them endlessly fascinating!

My title is, of course, taken from the marvellous Drifters’ song, Up on the roof. Enjoy!

Scotland, UK , ,

77 Comments »

  2. If these are all views from walks from your front door, I’d say you are very lucky!! In comparison, photos from my neighbourhood would involve strip malls and 1970s architecture. I like yours MUCH better!!!

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  3. We have been tramping the same path, too, Anabel. Yet, you are right on different perspectives each time. Wow, what fun, wit and creativity with the music selections. And, yes, fascinating photos.

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  10. Wonderful photos and I supposed something wonderful has come out of the pandemic. You have stopped and smelled the roses…so to speak. I love the The Drifters. My favorite genre of music. Great post! 🙂

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  12. I liked an old photograph of Glasgow that highlighted the towers from the churches I think in Bath street or St. Vincent Street. Since your post I have been looking for it but unable to find it. The tops of the buildings at Charring Cross, Glasgow are also worth a look.

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  14. One of the (very few) benefits of the pandemic is that we have learned so much more about what is in our immediate vicinity. And learned to appreciate it!

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  16. Funny – as I was reading through and looking at the roof decorations I had a song in my head: Up on the Roof! And then I got to the bottom of your post, and there it was! I’m sure I’ll be singing it all day…
    Lynne

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  17. Hi Anabel – fascinating range of rooves … it’s amazing what the Victorians and Edwardians achieved architecturally or probably really from earlier Georgian days too … looking forward to the more beautify you mention above! The slow times are good in so many ways – Hilary

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  19. Lovely gallery Anabel. I do miss those lovely architectural details — most of our buildings are too new to really have much that’s worth looking up for.

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  20. I LOVE that song! Your photo gallery of rooftops is stunning.
    For the first three months of COVID sheltering, Richard and I walked the same route every single morning. (Don’t ask me why, we certainly were free to chose other options.) Now we are shaking thing up. What a relief.

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    • You are certainly shaking things up now! We had a repertoire of 4 or 5 basic routes which could be varied slightly and / or combined. Still doing them durning the week when John is working but since we’ve been able to drive somewhere to exercise we’ve had a bit more choice.

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  21. I’ve photographed most of them myself over the years. Many of the buildings I’ve been impressed with, then looked up always belong to William Leiper or other lesser known architects. Happens time and time again in Glasgow and Paisley. Just shows how history and tastes can change as Monroe and Hepburn….,the two biggest style Icons now, were not that big a deal in their own era, not for acting ability anyway. Same with Abba in the 1970s, a naff Swedish band…. it was not cool to like them at all in the 1970s.. Ruined your teenage credibility in an instant… like saying you liked The Nolans or The Carpenters.

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    • Got confused a bit there when you said Monroe and Hepburn – never heard of those architects 😉 – then the penny dropped as I read on. I had all the Abba and Carpenters records. What do you mean not cool? I draw the line at the Nolans though.

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  22. What a wonderful gallery of rooftops. I once wrote a post about the need to remember to look up, featuring the rooftops of Manchester. There’s so much lovely intricate detail in these images.

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  24. Drifting along the roof tops is a new perspective. Funnily enough as visitors we were always looking up and consequently banging into people. Love the architecture in Scotland.

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  29. Your enthusiasm for digging out new perspectives and angles knows no bounds and these are truly wonderful. The first two shots were my favourites but really, they are all excellent.

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  33. Love the first two shots, and the wonderful clip of The Drifters – one of my favourite songs. Back in 2002 I went to a work’s ‘do’ and the group were playing at the venue – I got to meet them all afterwards and fell in love with the then youngest member, Rohan, he was lovely. It was a night never to be forgotten 🙂

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