Maryhill Barracks

Maryhill Barracks were built on 12 hectares (30 acres) of the Ruchill estate, in the Maryhill area of northern Glasgow, Scotland. They were opened as Garrioch Barracks in 1872. Built to accommodate an infantry regiment, a squadron of cavalry and a battery of field artillery, it dominated the area which is now the Wyndford housing estate. The barracks replaced the previous Infantry Barracks at Duke Street in the East End of the city, which dated from 1795.

Glasgow City Council had been petitioning the government since the early 19th century for more military protection from their fear of "riot and tumult" in the growing industrial areas. Despite the fact that Maryhill was an independent burgh, it agreed to the erection of Glasgow's new barracks, the greatly enlarged complex opening in 1876. Higher quality than normal, the barracks engendered a sense of community. The Soldiers' Hotel, where those on leave could entertain relatives, and public houses with names such as the Highland Light Infantry (HLI) and the Elephant and Bugle (the HLI emblem) gave Maryhill the feel of a garrison town. Vandalism was also reduced.^[1][2] Married quarters were added to the barracks in 1911.^[3]

Maryhill Barracks became the depot of the Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow) regiment after the Childers Reforms of 1881. During the 1919 40-hours general strike in Glasgow, the soldiers at Maryhill Barracks were deemed to be unreliable and were confined to barracks while troops from elsewhere were brought in to re-impose order.^[4] It was in 1919 that Maryhill Barracks was used as a marshalling place for the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders before embarking for India.^[5]

In May 1934 a bomb exploded in the barracks, which was alleged to be have been set off by the same person as bombed the Army Recruiting Offices, 139 Bath Street, a fortnight previously.^[6]

It was also home to the Scots Greys and famously held Adolf Hitler's second-in-command Rudolf Hess during World War II after his supposed "Peace" flight to the UK in 1941, at a time when it was used as a prisoner of war camp. In 1942, the Free French leader, General Charles de Gaulle, visited French troops there.

The Barracks were decommissioned and largely demolished in the early 1960s, to be replaced by the Wyndford housing estate, although the guardroom and boundary walls remain. A Territorial Army unit, the 52nd Lowland, 6th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, continues to be based at the adjacent Walcheren Barracks. 32 (Scottish) Signal Regiment is also based near Kelvinside, with 105 Regiment, Royal Artillery in nearby Partick.

References

1. ^ "Greater Glasgow: An Illustrated Architectural Guide", by Sam Small, 2008
2. ^ http://www.glasgowwestend.co.uk
3. ^ Hansard, HC Deb 28 February 1911 vol 22 c187
4. ^ http://www.glasgowwestend.co.uk
5. ^ http://www.theargylls.co.uk
6. ^ The Scotsman newspaper

Coordinates: 55°53′20″N 4°17′18″W / 55.8889°N 4.2882°W / 55.8889; -4.2882