Eastwood, Glasgow

Eastwood is a residential neighbourhood in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. It is situated south of the River Clyde, and is part of the Newlands/Auldburn ward under Glasgow City Council.

Description

The Eastwood neighbourhood has a somewhat isolated location, situated in an area of low ground bounded by the Auldhouse Burn and the Glasgow South Western Line railway to the north and west, and with the only main road in and out (B769 Thornliebank Road) forming the eastern boundary on elevated ground, with the higher Mansewood neighbourhood beyond. The only public road in and out of the area itself is Garvock Drive which joins Thornliebank Road. There are multiple pedestrians access points but these all lead to Thornliebank Road.

In addition to the burn and railway, between Eastwood and the Carnwadric neighbourhood to the south are a cemetery (''Old Eastwood'') and a set of private playing fields (''Auldhouse'') used by Giffnock Soccer Centre and the Giffnock Soccer Centre Foundation (from 2022). Prior to 2022, this area was used by Hutcheson's Grammar School, and was previously home ground of the Hutchesons' GSFP (1923–1990) and Hutchesons Aloysians (1990–2002) rugby teams and also used at times by Clydesdale Cricket Club. Cartcraig, the southernmost part of Pollokshaws, is a short distance away to the north, but on the other side of the burn with no direct access, the closest crossing point being on the main road at Auldhouse Bridge.Pollokshaws & Auldhouse illustrated guide
Scotcities

Eastwood Nursery is also located in Eastwood. It is a Glasgow City Council Nursery which is also used as a polling place on election days (as of 2022).

There are a small amount of fully commercial premises' as well, all located on Fieldhead Square. They include Pietro's cafe and Eastwood Pharmacy.

History

Until after World War II when the houses were built (most being three or four-storey tenements as well as some modest terraced houses), the only building of significance in the area was ''Auldhouse Mansion'' which dates from the 1630s, is one of the oldest houses in GlasgowPollokshaws Heritage Trail
Pollokshaws Heritage Group / Glasgow City Council and still stands today, being owned originally by John Maxwell, Lord Pollok and later extended, becoming a children's home in the 20th century and eventually converted to private residences. Nearby (but across the main road, therefore not actually in modern Eastwood) is ''Eastwood Parish Church'' which dates from 1863, replacing an older building from 1781 which itself replaced the original in Old Eastwood Cemetery. Robert Wodrow, the historian, was minister at Eastwood. Stevenson MacGill wrote the Old Statistical Account for Eastwood.*

Other uses of the name

Originally in the historic Renfrew County, the civil parish of Eastwood was split in 1912 when the northern part was annexed to Glasgow. The name was thereafter used for a local government district in the 1970s within Strathclyde region and constituencies in the Scottish and UK parliament, but all of these (as well as a golf club south of Newton Mearns, a secondary school in that town, a health centre in Clarkston, the 'new' (1900s) cemetery for the area in Thornliebank, and a park, leisure centre and 1850s country house in Giffnock) pertain to the post-1996 East Renfrewshire local authority area; the only facilities using the Eastwood name within the neighbourhood of Glasgow being the nursery school and pharmacy. The Eastwood community centre unfortunately no longer exists.

Transport

The main road is used by local buses including the frequent ''57/57A'' First Glasgow service, and Thornliebank railway station is within walking distance to the south.

References

{{Areas of Glasgow

Areas of Glasgow