Author: The Hampden Collection

The walk to Berkeley Street provides a break to contemplate life. I walk through the City's father's impressive footprint of streets, roads, crescents, and terraces, slowly filling with new housing, shops, and life. I walk up North Street and stop at Elmbank Crescent, where I walk around the elliptical grove of trees standing in front … Continue reading Chapter 205 – Wake Up Call →

I turn around, walk over and congratulate Mary, "This is what I wanted."Mary never condones complements and pulls out the finalised tramline map, "Remember how you explained to Robert, using the reverse side of the map would fill the profit gap?"Yes, lots of Glaswegians will see it.""I did as you asked and went to Stobcross … Continue reading Chapter 204 – Thinking Lateral Works →

Leaving the printworks, I ask David to stop at Broomielaw Street. The building is in darkness, and I take out the keys and enter.The open layout is wonderful; each corner is a geographical destination decorated with drawings of landmarks and interpretations explaining their history and importance. The centre of the room is dedicated to Glasgow's … Continue reading Chapter 203 – Opening The World →

David Mackintosh waits with my carriage, outside on Moray Place, and I jump up beside him."Destination this morning?" asked David."Printworks.", I said.David acknowledges the command with a crack of the whip, and the carriage hurtles along the streets of Glasgow. David, my coachman, is a champion jockey, so I get the thrill of speed and … Continue reading Chapter 202 – Full Steam Ahead →

I walk over to Robert Gardner and Archibald Rae, “Gentlemen, a fine evening of athletic achievement.”I shake both their hands and take my leave. I walk up to the Queen’s Park Flagpole and stare across the city. This place is my solace; however, I usually have my wife, children or dog in tow. This loneliness … Continue reading Chapter 201 – Play, Rest, Work →

The Queen’s Park Athletics Festival is in full flow. Seven men line up beside me at the start line. We stare down one hundred yards of grass, with the finish signified by a long tape. We use a tape to mark the top of the goal, but this time we want to crash through it, … Continue reading Chapter 200 – Prince of Dribblers →

“Excellent to see you all,” I said, shaking the hands of the four Gareloch boys.“We wouldn’t miss this for the world.”, said Moses.In the back of my mind, I was grinning to myself. We practice three times a week, and athletics is our foundation. I explain the race format and give them a heat number … Continue reading Chapter 199 – Quarter Mile Race →

I find my fellow organisers of the inaugural Queen’s Park Athletics Festival, and we gather in for a briefing on the events ahead of us. Archibald Rae is in command, and he has been managed this with military precision. He hands us a running order for tonight’s events.“There are two races tonight. Like our football, … Continue reading Chapter 198 – Inaugural Athletics Festival →

Robert Gardner and I head to West End Park, spending two hours walking, talking and decompressing. We enjoy a sumptuous dinner in the Western Club in the evening, finished with smoking pipes and whisky. When David Mackintosh arrives to collect me and take me home, the world gently slows to a swirl.Sunday is a day … Continue reading chapter 197 – Rest and Recreation →

The last three weeks resembled madness. Work consumed every waking hour: work, work, and work. I look in the long mirror, which reflects coal bags under my eyelids. A veil of lethargy coats my skin, which is impossible to scour off. I am missing my life's core, Emilia and the children, and although their letters … Continue reading Chapter 196 – Clap Breaches Solace →