Author: The Hampden Collection

9th August 1870. Summer sun burns into the blue skies above. A new buzz fills Thompson & French. Its official: Trams are coming to Glasgow. The Tramways Act has passed and Glasgow Town Council are planning a Tramway network. The news fills the newspapers. The congested streets of horse, cart and carriage is no way … Continue reading Chapter 15 – Trams & Trains →

191 Ingram Street. Original grounds of the Virginia Mansion, owned by Andrew Buchanan. One of the Glasgow tobacco lords of which Glassford, Ingram and Dunlop were his brethren. Buchanan’s private residence made way for the Union Bank of Scotland. Rebuilt into an exceptional building by one of Glasgow’s foremost architects David Hamilton.  I stand and … Continue reading Chapter 14 – QPFC v Drummond →

The world is truly enormous. You only see a glimpse during a lifetime. Our job at Thompson & French is creating beautifully detailed maps of its streets, buildings, roads, train-lines, canals, bridges, mountains, seas and oceans. Our clients range from the Post Office, Anchor Line, Glasgow University and Glasgow Town Council. It has been a … Continue reading Chapter 13 – Mapping The Globe →

I leave Thompson & French and walk down Hope Street. The city’s history is wrapped in the buildings that line these streets. The Royal Alexandria Theatre was one of my favourites. Here I witnessed passionate performances, masterminded by Charles Cooke, including Rob Roy, Robinson Crusoe and the Grand English Opera Company. Alas fire broke out … Continue reading Chapter 12 – QPFC v Airdrie →

It is the year of our lord 1870. Queens Park FC is now in its 3rd season. I was discussing the club’s first two years with Mr Gardner our Captain and Mr Black our President. Our playing nights of Mondays, Wednesday and Saturday are vibrantly attended and members enjoy the various athletic sports we offer. … Continue reading Chapter 11 – Thriving Glasgow Sport →

We bid farewell to the Spirit of Islay. The Firth of Clutha waters now conquered, the City of Glasgow beckons. The banks of the Clyde are our nation’s greatest asset. It thunders with rivets hammered by the hundred and thousands of flat caps swarm around the looming steel structures. These ships are stamped with ‘Made … Continue reading Chapter 10 – The Journey Home →

The game against Hamilton Gymnasium has driven a rich enthusiasm throughout the club. The players and committee are delighted to see the match report in the Glasgow Herald. We shared it with all our family. The feature called out all the players from our ranks including Messrs Leckie, Wotherington, Grant, Hetherington, Spiers and Smith. They … Continue reading Chapter 9 – Glasgow Summer Time →

Game day on foreign soil. A place you have never been. A pitch you have never played on. A team you have never met. The nerves are jangling. Would they be better than us? Mr Black, our Admiral, with a never say die attitude, was having none of it. Men you are Queens Park, he … Continue reading Chapter 8 – Hamilton Gymnasium v QPFC →

I walk down Hope Street and cross the Clutha. This is the port to the world. From here you can go anywhere. At the South Side Terminal I wait patiently for my train. My journey is made more comfortable reading Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe. It is a fascinating historical tale of Medieval England. The character I … Continue reading Chapter 7 – Training Glasgow Style →

The grandfather clock strikes 8 times. It’s Saturday in squally Strathbungo. If only it was like last summer. The only bright spot in the sky is the warm glow from Dixon’s furnaces. Our club has existed a baker’s dozen of months. We practiced regularly and searched for another team to play against. The Glasgow rugby … Continue reading Chapter 6 – QPFC v Thistle →