Rouken Glen Park was, in the late 19th century, the site of the Crum family estate (they were the owners of the local printworks). After it was bought from the family by MP Archibald Corbett, he gave the estate and mansion to the City of Glasgow in 1906 for the use and enjoyment of the people. The mansion itself was demolished in 1963, but the beautiful grounds are still much as they were when the Crum family lived there.
JEAN MACLENNAN: "The bell that was [in the stable gate]... when the park was closing at night, the bell rung for everybody to get out... You weren't allowed to walk on the grass - there were wee notices to 'Keep off the grass'. In fact, if you were on the grass, [the park keepers] would blow their whistles!"
Rouken Glen was at one time a popular destination for Glasgow residents, who arrived by tramcar from the city. It has also been a favourite haunt of the Thornliebank group members, who remember listening to bands on Sunday playing at the now-demolished bandstand. They still love to visit the tearooms and sit in the Walled Garden (pictured above).
IAN: "Every Sunday I come up here [to the Walled Garden] and I sit here and look at everything, because this is where I met my wife. So I come here... and think good things about the past."
Created by
Paula Cuccurullo and Howard
Mitchell
Updated 1 September 1999
© 1999 WEA Scotland
