Kelvinside Avenue Options

[Rabbie]

Ok, lets get away left and rights as they can easily confuscate issues. That's why ships and aircraft have port and starboard designations, they are absolute references, in that these do not change regardless of what direction the vessel is heading or wherever yer nose happens to be pointing.

What we need to clear this up is to ascertain and define ordinal directions and elevation contours. Thankfully in this image not too difficult as there are some distinct clues

1) Shadows.
2) Gradient.
3) A knackered wee wifie shuffling up the hill.

Consult a topographical map and ascertain ordinal direction of downward / upward gradients, then interpolatate this with the shadows. You should be able to determine, with a little loose logic the orientation of the street where the shadows are being cast.

[Jupiter]

Ive found an image of Kelvinside Ave tenements on the SCRAN website but it is a bit small for me to compare.

[Steeplejack]

Just had a quick look at SCRAN and the image shown in the first picture is of the left side of the Avenue going up towards Maryhill Road. The bottom end of the tenement was blown down and later, a bit more was demolished in the "making safe" process. It is clear, nevertheless, that there are no shop fronts to be seen on that side of the road.

[Jupiter]

The image is a bit blurred.I seem to recall shops on the other side of the street.

[Rabbie]

Please see map image below.



This shows the Kelvinside Ave has an almost west / east alignment, give or take. Therefore. it is reasonably safe to deduce that the shadows are falling on the southern aspect of the tenements, which would naturally mean the sunlight tenements are on the northern side of the Avenue. This would imply that the shops are also on northern or left as you go up hill, or on the right as you decend, as appears to be indicated in the image.

[martin_glasgow]

Hi very interesting topic i used to walk up and down kelvinside avenue in the 60's to go to St.Charles Primary School..But like everyone else cant remember exactly were the shops were located.Have attached a detailed street plan of the area to throw into the mix and hope it can jog some memories...

Martin....

[Rabbie]

Nice one, the benchmarks confirm a downhill gradient from Maryhill Road. We are getting there... elimanation of the obvious hehe.

[Steeplejack]

Hello Martin, welcome to the fray. Your map is most welcome. Shows a very clear picture of the whole of the Avenue and surrounding streets.

I still think the basic problem is my misinterpretation of the architecture and ground level. The buildings suggest the road is descending towards the top of the picture.

I know exactly where the shops were and most of the folk who lived in the Avenue. I lived, worked and went to church with with them. I used the shops and knew most of the owners.

I just cannot interpret the original picture so if you have any pointers please let's have them.

Steeplejack

[Steeplejack]

Hi Rabbie,

Thanks for your scientific approach. As I've just explained to Martin I lived on the Avenue so I do have a fairly good working knowledge of what was where. I suspect my interpretation of the tenement archtecture is at fault. They say the camera never lies but this one is sure trying.
Steeplejack.

[Steeplejack]

Thanks for bringing up SCRAN. I'd never heard of it before. I shall spend a bit more time digging around there, that's for sure.

There were shops on the other side of the Avenue. I think it was Nos 39 and 41 were two small general stores which sold just about everything. One was called Dunn's Stores and of the two was the older and better known. There were more shops at the Queen Margaret Road end. Most of these were failing. As I recall one was an electrical supplier and another sold stuff for the trades. I have a mental picture of glazed chimney pots in the window. These were all located down by the Pen which is clearly shown on the map supplied by Martin. Also clear on the map is the space between the Belhaven Instutute (marked as a Hall on the corner of Marmion Street) and the end of the tenement. They have built a school on this site.

[martin_glasgow]

Hi Steeplejack..Here is an Aerial view Picture of Kelvinside Avenue/Queen Margaret Drive And Other Streets. This Gives You A Better View Of Kelvinside Avenue At That Time...
Martin....

[glasgow lass]

Yoo boyz a just wonderful to be taking the time to help Steeplejack out

[Steeplejack]

Martin, where have these great images come from? There is sufficient detail in the aerial view for me to identify my old back-court! What a great surprise. Even if I don't manage to sort out the questions I've raised about the picture your map and aerial view has made my day ! I have so many memories of my time there. Thank you very much for taking the trouble to contribute.

Steeplejack.

[Steeplejack]

Hello Glasgow Lass,

All the activity about the Kelvinside Avenue picture is not primarily to help me out but to see whether or not the photograph used in the book I received for Christmas, is genuine, because it portrays some peculiar features which do not sit easy with me. Nevertheless I am very grateful to all the folk who take the trouble and time to contribute and help unravel the queries.

Steeplejack

[Jupiter]

I was amazed to see the lady and her child in the aerial shot.