Fascinating story behind Glasgow's 'strangest' landmark

Gas lighting was first known about in the city around 1805, when Mr Lumsden, grandfather of the 1867 Lord Provost James Lumsden, generated gas in his fireplace.

Also in 1805, famous Scottish engineer James Watt, writing from Glasgow to his partner Matthew Boulton in Birmingham, said that  “the new lights are much in vogue here.”

The first use of gas lighting in a public works near Glasgow was in 1807, in a weaving shed at Pollokshaws.

Provan Gas Works (Image: Glasgow City Archives)

In 1817, the city and suburbs of Glasgow and nearby areas were becoming more populous, and it was agreed that it would be beneficial if  the streets and other public places were lit with gas.

In that year the town council, together with private citizens, obtained an act of parliament granting statutory powers to the Glasgow Gas Light Company to manufacture gas for the supply of Glasgow.

The company’s management committee comprised the magistrates and town council of Glasgow and the principal of the College of Glasgow.

This was when Glasgow began to “cook with gas.” The erection of the first gas works began in 1817. At the time it was the largest in the United Kingdom.

READ NEXT: The forgotten Glasgow department store that was one of the best

Situated on the west side of Kirk Street, near the cathedral, it was called the Townhead Gas Works. Barony Church now occupies the site.

The introduction of gas lighting caused great excitement in the city. In September 1818, the first public streetlamp was lit by gas.

The news went from house to house that there would be an experiment with gas in the shop window of Mr James Hamilton, grocer, at 128 Trongate.

The lighting consisted of six small burners, and excited a great deal of interest as well as some adverse comments amongst those who crowded the streets to see the new and marvellous light which burned without a wick.

A second works of the same size as Townhead, and with additional capacity, was built in the Old Wynd, Broomward Street, and Hutchesontown, respectively. This increased capacity at the end of 1819, covered the city and suburbs.

The Glasgow Gas Light Co expanded its enterprise, building the Tradeston Gas Works in 1835 to supply the south side as well as works in Partick.

The company was highly profitable, but was regarded by consumers as abusing its monopoly.

READ NEXT: 'Freedom': Memories of Glasgow's Drumchapel when scheme was brand new

A rival City and Suburban Gas Co of Glasgow was formed in 1843, with the power to supply the city, Gorbals, Anderston, Calton, Rutherglen and adjoining areas. Their Dalmarnock Works was begun that year.

The rival companies continued to operate until 1869 when each promoted a Bill to increase capital and extend their works. Instead, the works were brought under municipal control during that year.

The town council's gas department found the existing works to be inadequate and immediately began a programme of rebuilding and adding new equipment. They acquired land at Maryhill and in 1871, Dawsholm was constructed.

Dawsholm Gas Works (Image: Glasgow City Archives)

The Partick, Hillhead and Maryhill Company was formed in 1871, but without parliamentary powers, to manufacture and supply gas in Glasgow’s surrounding police burghs. They built works at Temple and, in 1891, they purchased the Dalmuir, Kirkpatrick and Bowling Gas Company situated in Old Kirkpatrick

In 1891, works belonging to this company were acquired by Glasgow Corporation and renamed Temple Works. That same year, both these companies were purchased by the Corporation under powers conferred by an act of parliament.

The demand for gas continued to increase but by 1898 it was obvious that it was impossible to extend the existing works. A site was chosen at Provan in the East End which was formally opened.

There was also a rising demand for gas-heated appliances, and in 1913, there were two workshops in the city. The Gas Department displayed its latest home appliances in its Sauchiehall Street showroom.

Inside the gas appliances showroom (Image: Glasgow City Archives)

In 1895 the previous Gas Commission merged with Glasgow Corporation Gas, becoming one of its departments. In 1949 the industry was nationalised, and the Scottish Gas Board took over the functions and assets of the department.

The Provan Gas Works gasometers still stand, visible from the M8 and for miles around.

Among the largest of their kind in the UK, each of the towers can hold 283,000 m3 of gas and while a strange landmark, they are a reminder of the city’s innovative and industrial past.