WHENEVER she talks about her life in Glasgow, Jane Davies lights up at the mention of Sauchiehall Street. In the 50s and 60s, this was the grandest street of all, full of elegant department stores, stylish tearooms and beautiful boutiques. The 97-year-old can remember the old shops, and loves to tell her daughter Carol all about them. One particularly intrigued Carol, however, who is helping her mum compile memories of her life in Scotland and England. “My mum mentioned Smith’s, which had a spinning wheel on its shopfront, and said it was situated next to Daly’s department store,” says Carol.
IN 1957, the passing out parade for the Highland Light Infantry at Maryhill Barracks was an impressive affair. As the Colonel inspected the recruits, none of them could have guessed within a few short years the regiment would be amalgamated with another and the famous barracks themselves would be demolished and the land turned over to housing. The barracks were built in the 1870s, and they became a focal point for the community. The Solder’s Hotel was a favourite among the troops and later became the Maryhill Trades Union Centre. The HLI Bar at the corner of Maryhill Road and Kelvinside Avenue, was popular as was the Elephant and Bugle.