Guide to Partick, Glasgow West End

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The lands of Partick were part of the old Crown Lands of Scotland’ this distinctive area has been in existence since the 11th century. Its traditional tenemental properties run from the Western Infirmary along Dumbarton Road and past Byres Road to just beyond Crow Road (of Iain Banks fame). It is also – you may or may not know – the birthplace of the comedian and film actor Billy Connelly. Ian Mitchell, writer and historian describes it as Glasgow’s Girnal in his history of Partick article – where more than a century ago most of Glasgow’s grain was landed and processed.

Visit Partick for typical Glasgow banter

Shopping

It remains a more or less typical working class area with lots of hustle and bustle and Glasgow banter. The area is a delight for the traditional shopper, the browser and bargain hunter. Partick is chock full of second hand and charity shops including  the enormously popular Salvation Army,  where students can furnish their bedsit for a couple of hundred pounds. Dee at Chest, Heart and Stroke Charity Shop further west on Dumbarton Road runs a fabulous for baby clothes and new stock.  In the stretch of  Crow Road just beyond Crow Road there are junk shops galore.  For the more upmarket shopper Eunice Whyte, Dumbarton Road, Nr Partick Cross, will prove irrestible. Eunice has had a shop in the vicinity for many years selling beautiful knitwear with fine merino wool and cashmeres sweaters and stoles at realistic prices.

There are plenty of interesting ventures by bright, young entrepreneurs. Life Clothing Fashion Boutique for men and women, located in Merkland Street, is a beautiful shop with tempting designer labels and some great accessories – which you’ll be unlikely to find elsewhere.   Also in Merkland Street, check out Boudoir, equally good for snug wincyette pajamas or a fancy lace nightie.

All the way along Dumbarton Road, on the ground floor of the tenement properties, you will find rows of food shops, cake shops, gift shops and cafes, restaurants and pubs.  Watch out for The Lismore Bar at Partick Cross, a favourite with fok and traditional music fans.  Lovers of craft beers are big fans of The Three Judges, also at Partick Cross.  

At the Thornwood end of Partick, you will find the fabulous St Louis Cafe, watch out for their Literary Festivals and Music from Linda Jaxson

Find a local room/hotel

Restaurants

Some very nice restaurants in the area worth noting are: La Riviera147 Dumbarton Rd, Glasgow G11 6PT – has many fans and is a favorite for pre-theatre and a good place for kids.  Two Fat Ladies88 Dumbarton Rd, Glasgow G11 6NX, is well worth a visit for those of you who enjoy fish dishes. Both the main drag and the side streets offer plenty of coffee shops and tea rooms. The Manchurian Chinese Restaurant, 494 Dumbarton Rd, Glasgow G11 6SL, and Papa Gill’s2376 Dumbarton Rd, Glasgow also deserve a mention.

Bars

There is a lively and varied pub scene, try the Lismore with its impromtu Irish music on offer on Sunday evenings, The Three Judges is popular with locals and attracts some of the literati and lovers of craft beer.  For pub lunches The Ettrick is a cosy family bar.

Hyndland Street

One of my favourite streets in Partick is Hyndland Street. Home to Rio Cafe, a friendly place where you will feel at ease, whether alone of with friends.  Lovely breakfasts and a great place for Open Mic Events.  Also on Hyndland Street you will find a great Polish Deli, Cafe Zique, popular cafe restaurant with deli a few doors away. In nearby St Peter’s Church, last Friday of every month, you will find a friendly group of people at Partick Folk Club

At the top of Hyndland Street you will find Cottier’s Theatre, Bar and Restaurant – based in the converted Dowanhill Church.  Cottiers Theatre, is named after the designer Daniel Cottier.  A  Historic Scotland publication explores the life, work and influence of Daniel Cottier and his contemporary William Leiper. A second volume is planned to document the conservation works undertaken at the  Dowanhill Church project.

Transport

Partick is well served by public transport.  Plenty of buses travel along Dumbarton Road heading into the City Centre or West – towards Scotstoun, Clydebank and Balloch.  It has two Underground Stops at Kelvinhall, at Partick Cross, and Partick at the Partick Railway Station.  Watch out for Ranald MacColl’s G.I. Bride statue – a character created by Bud Neill – a famous Glasgow cartoonist.  Ranald also designed The Lismore Bar.

Nearby Attractions

At the lower end of Partick near the Clydeside you will find the Riverside Museum, Glasgow’s Transport Museum, designed by the famous female Iranian architect Zaha Hadid (1950–2016).  Beside the Riverside Museum you will find The Tall Ship, the UK’s only floating Clyde-built sailing ship berthed at the Pointhouse Quay on the Rivers Clyde.

At the West End of Partick you enter Whiteinch and here you will find  Anita Manning‘s Great Western Auctions, 1291 Dumbarton Rd, Glasgow G14 9UY.

A short walk will take you to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Kelvingrove Park and the University of Glasgow: Kelvingrove

Nearby on  Byres Road  you will find shops, bars and restaurants and, at the top, OranMor and the Botanic Gardens: 

Area Index:Byres RoadKelvingrovePartickHyndlandWoodlandsKelvinbridge and East Hillhead, Gibson street and University Avenue

This section: Travel

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Avatar of JimByrne West End based web Developer, writer, songwriter and musician. And the person who takes lots of photos for the Glasgow West End website.

2 responses to “Guide to Partick, Glasgow West End”

  1. Debra says:

    WhAt buses can i get to partick from Glasgow city centre

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