Glasgow Boys' Brigade West End Walking Tour Preview

Kelvingrove Museum & Art Gallery

The entrance to Kelvingrove Museum has been a popular place for Companies from the local area to have their photograph taken. Here we see 1st Glasgow in 1907.

College & Kelvingrove Church (Site of)

Following serious fire damage to the roof of the College Free Church (Lyndoch Street), in 1903, union with nearby Kelvingrove United Free Church led to this fine property becoming the new spiritual home of William Smith and of the 1st Glasgow Company. It was in this Church the Founder’s Funeral Service was held, on 16th May 1914, and from here the funeral cortege processed to the Western Necropolis (adjacent to Maryhill Crematorium) where William Smith lies buried.Sadly, this fine building was destroyed by fire in 1925. The site of the Church, on Kelvingrove Street, opposite an entrance to Kelvingrove Park, remains a vacant site to this day.

Queen's Rooms

The property, overlooking Kelvingrove Park, was erected in 1857 and was the venue for the first Glasgow Battalion Church Parade, held on Sunday 11th April 1886. Between 600 and 700 Boys attended the Parade. The property is now a Hindu Mandir.

22 Woodlands Terrace

This property, which is situated a few short steps from the College Free Church, was once the home of Lady Roberton, mother of the Glasgow Battalion President. It was here in 1904, that the historic meeting between William Smith and Baden Powell took place; discussions at the meeting would one-day eclipse Smith’s Boys’ Brigade. A plaque placed to record the meeting, has long-since been removed; its whereabouts is unknown.

College Free Church

The congregation vacated the property (erected in 1856) after it was damaged by fire in 1903 and united with nearby Kelvingrove U.F. Church. Following repair, the former church was used as a college. The property was converted into residential dwellings during the 1980s.

261 W Princes Street

At one time this substantial red sandstone property served as the Headquarters of 1st Lanarkshire Rifle Volunteers and would have been very familiar to W.A. Smith who joined the 1st L.R.V. in 1874.

North Woodside Mission

329 North Woodside Road. This is the address of the former Free College Church North Woodside Mission. A plaque on the exterior of the property commemorates the building as the Birthplace of The Boys’ Brigade in 1883. The property was sold in 1975 and used for commercial purposes; the building was developed into residential flats during 2010-11

Kelvinbridge Parish Church

Kelvinbridge Parish Church (formerly Kelvin Stevenson Memorial Church) Belmont Street, Spiritual home of the Original Company (1st Glasgow) from 1927 to 2024

13 Belmont Crescent

1906Along with his new bride, Hannah Ranken Campbell, Smith and his two sons moved to this impressive property. The following year, on 29th July, Hannah unexpectedly died. Number 13 Belmont Crescent was to be W. A. Smith’s last home. Smith’s sons later gifted the property to Glasgow Academy, the school they both attended. The privately owned property is now sub-divided.

28 Hamilton Park Terrace

1868 - When William Smith first came to Glasgow he lived with his uncle,Alexander Fraser and three aunts at 28 Hamilton Park Terrace from 1868until 1878. (renamed Hamilton Park Avenue)

Kersland Street

1878 - When Smith moved to his first tenement flat, his mother, Harriet, arrived from Thurso to help look after her son’s new home. The precise location of Smith’s tenement flat is unclear, but is thought to have been at either No 9 or 11 Kersland Street.

12 Bruce Street

1898 - (Hillsborough Terrace - now BOWER STREET) Shortly after the death of Smith’s wife, Amelia, the family moved to a nearby five-roomed flat. Smith’s sister, Kate, stayed with the family to look after the Boys. The flat, with double windows, is thought to be on the first floor.

4 Ann Street

1884 - Following his marriage to Amelia Pearson Sutherland the couple spent fourteen happy years in what, at that time, were modern spacious flats. The Smith’s two children were born here ~ George Stanley born 1888 and Douglas Pearson born 1891. (now Southpark Avenue)

Gilmorehill Hall

Formerly Anderston Free Church; it was here in 1900 that Dr. William Somerville, Captain of 28th Glasgow Boys’ Brigade Company, founded The Girls’ Guildry (now known as The Girls’ Brigade). The property is currently owned by the University of Glasgow.If you arrived by car it is a short walk south along Kelvin Way to return to our starting point at Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, you may wish to divert west along University Avenue, past Wellington Church and through the University cloisters. The Boys' Brigade has long standing ties to the University of Glasgow, Principal and Vice Chancellor, Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, is an Honorary Vice President of Glasgow Battalion.If you have enjoyed this tour and would like to donate to the ongoing work of The Boys' Brigade in Glasgow text BBGLW followed by the amount you'd like to give to 70085, for example texting BBGLW 5 to 70085 will donate £5, your network provider will charge you your donation plus your standard SMS rate, this will be paid from your monthly bill or pay as you go credit. You can donate whole pounds from £1 - £20.Glasgow Battalion The Boys' Brigade is a charity registered in Scotland No. SC013200.

Kelvin West Parish Church