exhibtion: the way we were
by morton gillespie
2020 (online)
A photographic journey back in time. These photographs document the wholesale demolition of Glasgow’s slum tenements to be replaced by multistory boxes in the sky and peripheral housing schemes remote from the city centre. A time which saw the decline of the traditional industries of heavy engineering, shipbuilding and steelworks which had made Glasgow the second city of the empire. The days of Clyde steamers which transported Glaswegians “doon the water" to Dunoon, Largs and Rothesay. Gillespie’s images capture memories of the past and of a brave new world in the making.
All photographs copyright Morton Gillespie. Images available for purchase. Contact heritage@mbht.org.uk for more information.
Queen Elizabeth 2 Under Construction
Black and white image of the QE2 surrounded by cranes on the River Clyde.
Playing on the Swings
Three children play on a swing set. A mother with a pram looks on. In the background there are partially demolished buildings with highrises behind.
Sail Away
Men stand on a river bank watching a steamer ship sail by. The QE2 is under construction in the background surrounded by cranes.
Fairfield Shipyard, 1964
Image of Fairfield Shipyard surrounded by cranes, buildings and other signs of industry.
Meadowside Granary, Partick
Black and white image of a large brick building with cranes and small white buildings in front. A sign in the foreground reads ‘DEAD SLOW’
Sail Away
Black and white image of a boat moving down a wide river. A large ship is under construction behind.
Fatherhood
Two men walk down a tenement lined street. One carries a child in his arms. The other pushes a pram while a young child walks alongside.
View from the Riverside Museum
Black and white image of industrial buildings and cranes lining the banks of the River Clyde.
Clocking Off
Black and white image of a lone figure walking down a wide cobbled street. Cranes and buildings are in the background and tram tracks crisscross the street.
Feeding the Gulls
Black and white image of adults sitting on a boat while children lean over the railings holding food for the birds.
“I became hooked on photography from a very early age. Many hours in my tiny darkroom followed where I learnt the art of developing and printing, lessons from which still equally apply in the digital age.”
Waving Hello
Ten workers stand on a large metal ship. One of the figures has his arm raised to wave at the camera.
At the helm
A captain leans on the side of a boat at sea while seagulls swoop behind him. The wheel of the ship and coiled ropes are also visible.
On the Beat
Two policemen walk away from the camera towards chimney stacks in the distance. Tenements line the left hand side of the street.
Terry’s Store, 1966
Image of a boy leaning on the wall of ‘Terry’s Stores’. Political posters and advertisements are on the walls.
Summer Holidays
Two girls sit above a crowd. They are both wearing summer clothes.
Out with the old
Black and white image of a partially demolished tenement with new build high rise flats behind to the left.
The Whole Gang
Black and white image of a group of children crowding round a bicycle on a Glasgow street.
“Gillespie’s photographs capture the humanity of a changing city. They open a door to the past and allow us a glimpse of the extraordinary in the everyday.”
The Waverley
The Waverley paddle steamer at sea with hills in the background.
Springburn Slide
Three children slide down the smooth sloped wall of a new housing estate. A black dog stands watch behind them.
Hoose Legs
A man in a suit walks past the supports of a new building in the brutalist style.
Springburn Back Court
Children play in the stony back court of a tenement block. Washing hangs on lines behind them and brick bin sheds are visible.
Oot Tae Play
Children play on a cobbled street surrounded by brick buildings.
Oot the windae
Photo taken from inside a tenement stairwell through a smashed window
Disembarking
Passengers walk down a gangplank to disembark a ferry. A sign in the background reads ‘Kyles of Bute’
On the Water
Two people are in a small boat on the Clyde. Other boats line the right bank and high rise buildings dominate the skyline behind.
Tenement Shadows
A tenement block dominates this picture. Shadows of chimneys are cast onto it.
Weans
Two children stand together. One yawns while the other, younger, stares into the camera looking grumpy. Bunting hangs behind them.
Under the Bridge
View from a car under a bridge. Glasgow Cross is ahead with the clock tower in the centre. Golumb’s Camera shop is on the left of the street where Gillespie bought his camera.
The White Horse
The White Horse bar sits below a partially demolished tenement block with smashed windows. A new building is under construction behind
Crossing the Road
A woman with a walking stick crosses a wide street. Tenements line the streets and 3 cars are parked along the kerbs.
Family Gathering
A grandmother sits on a chair surrounded by young women and children in 1960s fashions. Chalk marks cover the walls behind them.
McEwan’s Corner
A man stands on a street corner under a broken ‘McEwans Lager’ sign. Other shop signs read ‘electrics’, ‘news’. ‘confections’ and ‘wine’
Swings and Roundabouts
High rise flats dominate the skyline behind a small play park. Puddle cover the foreground and reflect the buildings above.
Teddy Boys
Two sharp dressed me cross a street. Other pedestrians are on the pavement and a taxi sits behind.
Boys will be Boys
Young children play on a waste ground. Two have their arms raised holding sticks and stones.
Port Glasgow ‘66
Birds eye view of Port Glasgow. Large industrial buildings surround the port where two ships are docked.
St Patrick’s
A large church stands beside the supports of the Kingston Bridge as it was being constructed.
Clelland Street
A view down a street in the Gorbals. Busy with people walking and children playing. There are a few cars.
Down the Street
A figure walks up a quiet cobbled street towards a bigger road.
Go One Better!
Two girls lean on a street corner. The building has political posters and trade unioin advertisements.
Glesga Grannies
Three older women sit on a boat, peering at something out of site. They have handbags in their laps. A life ring on the side of the boar reads ‘Talisman Glasgow’
Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust would like to extend a special thanks to Morton Gillespie for allowing us to show his beautiful photographs.
We hope you enjoyed looking through them and that you will be able to come see the live exhibition once we are reopened. In the mean time, we would love to hear your memories of 1960’s Glasgow and The Way We Were.