We are a (presently) small group particularly interested in east Govan and Ibrox: local/family history, community concerns, regeneration and conservation issues (e.g. Govan Press building, Broomloan Rd School, former model lodging house). We hope to produce a trail booklet, occasional newsletters, and maybe hold an evening event. We love poring over old copies of the Govan Press (held in the Mitchell Library) - and intend to do a fortnightly feature on Govan history.

The 'Buggy Hive' was the nickname for a collection of cottages which, by c.1900, had come to house some of the poorest immigrant arrivals to Govan (usually Irish). It stood near the top of Broomloan Road. Today's Hive members can trace roots - Catholic and Protestant - back to people arriving in Govan from all over the British Isles (though mostly Ireland and the Highlands) from around 1870.

Below is a picture of a primary one/two class at Broomloan Road School in 1948/49. The girl on the extreme right 2nd bottom row is Roberta Manson (daughter of local signwriter John Manson and Peggy MacGregor). We'd welcome any more identifications!

BROOMLOAN HOUSE/KINTRA STREET 'CASTLE' - THE 'HUNTY'

Some of our older members remember this building well - a small 19th c. century mansion predating the surrounding tenements, eventually it was sold and subdivided into flats itself. Rumours abounded concerning ghosts in and around the 'castle' - so much so that local children referred to it as 'the hunty' (lit. 'haunty' or haunted house). Photo courtesy of Mitchell Library.

GOVAN 110 YEARS AGO THIS MONTH (Govan Press, 29 April 1898, p.5)

“A YOUNG INEBRIATE – Mary McGregor, a small girl, aged 16, pleaded guilty before Bailie Marr on Monday of being found drunk and incapable in Govan Road at Broomloan Road, on Saturday last, and was fined 5s or 3 days. She seemed quite vain of her position, turning round and smiling and bidding her adieus [apparently taken as read by reporter that the fine was not an option!] to her acquaintances in court after sentence. 

On the same day the Bailie’s attitude to a seemingly innocent ‘kick about’ appeared equally severe:

“FOOTBALL IN THE STREET – Three well-grown lads named Alex. McCallum, William Russell and John Small were charged before Bailie Marr with playing football in the street leading to Woodville Street, near the matchworks, the manager of which spoke of the annoyance caused by the practice [fined 5s or 3 days]. Seven respectable looking lads pleaded guilty before the same court of playing football in a back court in Elder Park Street, and were each fined 2s 6d or 2 days imprisonment.”