Author: The Hampden Collection

The man I am following stops and turns around, “My name is Alexander Adam.”. We climb two sets of stairs and I am shown into the Deacon Convenor’s suite.  The man behind the desk stands and shakes my hand, “My name is James Neilson.” “Thank you for seeing me.”, I said. “We have protected the … Continue reading Chapter 112 – The Deacon Convenor →

I proceed back through the Trongate, turning right onto Glassford Street and admire the elegant architecture from ground level to their rooftops.  The Trades Hall, situated at No. 85, is a work of genius from Robert Adam and was completed in 1794. This meeting point of fourteen incorporated guilds, representing the finest array of specialisms … Continue reading Chapter 111 – Union Is Strength →

Trongate’s Tontine Hotel, constructed in 1781 by William Hamilton, is one of my favourite Glasgow institutions. Sitting in this beautiful cafe, I explain to Robert how a Tontine is an investment scheme for raising capital and devised in 1653 by a Neapolitan Banker, Lorenzo Tonti. Each investor buys a share and rewarded with an annual … Continue reading Chapter 110 – The Tontine Hotel →

Robert and I walk down Hope Street, turn left onto Argyle Street and stop at the junction with Glassford Street, marking the start of the Trongate.  "How much have you learned, Robert, about Glasgow's Town Council’s origins?" “Glasgow Town Council was originally housed at the Tollbooth, governs the city, holds the Justiciary and levies duties … Continue reading Chapter 109 – Glasgow Town Council →

First port of call this morning is meeting John Grant, who is my eyes and ears of the office. Thompson & French’s Head Clerk, hailing from Dufftown, ensures our ship sails around personnel rocks rather than crashing into them. The office diary is reviewed, meetings planned, documents placed in prioritised order and office gossip considered. … Continue reading Chapter 108 – John Edgar Grant →

Sitting at my desk, I consider my learnings: bravery is one thing, but what if it was a burglar, armed with a weapon, would it have been wise to have continued? The note for Grace, our Office Secretary, is written, ‘Find the best locksmith, ensure our building is impregnable and then repeat the process at … Continue reading Chapter 107 – A Lesson Learned →

Mary laughs wickedly, “Did you get a fright?” “How did you get in?”, I ask, whilst my heart is trying to thump its way out of my chest. “Your security is amateur.” I sit down, “How did you know I was going to be here?” “I have my ways.”, Mary’s youthful smile and crisp words … Continue reading Chapter 106 – Bravest Die First →

The oak door creaks open and I venture into the darkness, reaching for the safety lamp. Controversially, there are several competing claims for the invention of this device, including William Clanny, George Stephenson and Humphry Davy. We always buy Stephenson’s Geordie Lamps, hailing from England’s North East, instead of the lamp from Davy, who ‘borrowed’ … Continue reading Chapter 105 – Fortune Favours Bravery →

Six bells echo down the hall from the grandfather clock. I have missed these home comforts over the last six weeks and this brass bell melody is a chorus to my ears, signalling a new week, a return to Thompson & French Headquarters and most importantly, reviewing our progress on our ambitious projects. Emelia is … Continue reading Chapter 104 – Early Bird Catches →

Tonight I look for solace and head out into Strathbungo’s finest avenue. A place named Moray and built by the greatest architect of modern times. The evening is lit by lamps, beautiful in their simplicity and composed in their regularity. I hear a familiar voice from across the fence. “How was your business trip?”, asks … Continue reading Chapter 103 – Health Is Everything →