Glasgow, The Broomielaw 1897

More about this scene

Scotland's first university, founded in 1411. Turnbull became bishop in 1447 and continued till 1454. The university really put Glasgow on the map, although it had a hard struggle to get fully established. Classes (confined to the arts faculty) were originally conducted in the cathedral crypt, but within two years had moved to a separate building on the east side of the High Street. Over the centuries this developed into a splendid structure with twin quadrangles. With the phenomenal commercial and industrial expansion of Glasgow in the 19th century this site became too cramped, so in 1870 the university sold the land for a railway goods yard (hence College Goods Station, now demolished to make way for luxury flats).