North Bridge. Glasgow. A New Beginning For Sighthill.

                                                   ALL PHOTOS CLICK FULL SCREEN.

 

As it was relatively easy to get to I decided on another visit to North Bridge which is located just north of Glasgow City Centre and Buchanan Bus Station seen here.

So it was out from there then up past the entrance to Caledonian University. Then onto Hanover Street.

 

Past the high rise towers of Townhead...

 

 

Looking back at the newly built Met Tower...

And the various student apartments around Boyce House on Kyle Street. This area has been transformed in recent years and the latest addition to get a makeover is Sighthill, just above this photo, looking to the right.

 

Sighthill used to look like this, a district of high rise flats and some lower deck access type houses. Rather than go down onto the streets far below unaccompanied younger children used to play on their individual landings instead or ride the elevators down to the ground floor then back up again. It was safer that way and they probably enjoyed it.

  I did a walk here in 2011 as I knew these 20 storey buildings would all be demolished soon.

 

Which is why I have these before and after photos. Very handy to illustrate the difference. It used to be a fairly run down estate, built in the 1960s consisting ten high rise towers, like the ones above, and lower tenement style flats, seen here. I have to say I enjoyed both walks.

 

 

Not far away the even higher flats of Red Road were scheduled for demolition as well. 28 and 31 floor high storey blocks making them the highest residential flats in Western Europe when they were constructed, again in the 1960s. You can see right through them here as they were already getting stripped out, floor by floor, prior to coming down. Also a photo taken in 2011. A few years later they were gone.

 

 

With all the old estate and tower blocks swept away into history it now looks like this and has been rebranded North Bridge. The steps leading up to the actual bridge over the M8 motorway and the new estate. I was here with Anne last year in August 2022 but the bridge was still unfinished then. There is a pram/wheel chair/ bike friendly ramp up here in a gentler serpentine climb to the top.

 

Now it's complete and very nice it is as well. I don't know if it's the same for everyone but I do get a kick out of exploring brand new urban areas. (i.e. areas that are recently constructed and mint fresh)
It's the same kick of euphoria I get out of blue sky sunny days... to the extent that I don't bother doing walks in dull grey weather as that always lowers my mood. I'm half butterfly! Or bumble bee.... But as soon as the sun is out I am as well.

 

Loads of white stone blocks sparkling, sculptured sofa sized giant pebbles and newly planted young trees. Also loads of attractive paths snaking through this newly created landscape.

In one direction leading towards Port Dundas and the Monklands Canal, also getting a makeover...

 

Monklands Canal and Port Dundas....

 

And in the other direction running over towards Sighthill Cemetery... so plenty of walking potential here to explore...

 

 

Which I did. Heading on the new open plan walkway in the direction of Sighthill Cemetery.

 

Entering Sighthill Cemetery. As it sits on a hill it offers good views over Glasgow.

 

City Centre district and bus station showing where I've walked from.

 

Cowcaddens District and St Rollox Church.

 

Glasgow's Royal Infirmary and the Sighthill area of North Bridge still to get developed. It is still a work in progress but so far what is here already is worth a visit.

 

Townhead district from North Bridge Main Stairs.

 

Outdoor bouldering wall. North Bridge. Only eight foot high at it's highest and around 30 foot in length. Some chalk marks on it already. I was never really into bouldering much, more big mountain rock routes but a nice decorative feature for local children to clamber on.

 

The stone circle at North Bridge.

 

 

New housing being built. North Bridge. Apparently this is currently one of the largest regeneration projects in the UK, outside of London.

More new streets from Sighthill Cemetery.

 

The new Sighthill Community Campus at North Bridge.

 

Side view with silver birch trees. This area already has fine new walking routes running through it with more to come. It also looks good for cycling, roller skates or skateboarding due to dozens of brand new flat surfaces although I'd better not mention that. 

 

A new walkway in North Bridge.

 

St Rollox Church in Sighthill. All the different crosses are ones found across the globe from  different religious groups. I had no idea so many existed.

 

The info board on them all. An unexpected and enjoyable walk, especially when you link it with the Sighthill Cemetery walk as well or you could arrive, continue, or depart via the nearby Forth and Clyde Canal at Port Dundas. Where canal goods once arrived in the city from outlying areas.