Robroyston

Robroyston ("Bhaile na Raibert Ruadh" in Gaelic) is a northeastern suburb of the city of Glasgow, Scotland. It was where Scottish leader William Wallace was turned over to English soldiers in 1305. At the site of Wallace's capture there stands a monument — there have also been proposals put forward for a Visitors Centre in the area, at the site of the monument. On the monument there is a plaque in latin

'Dico tibi verum, libertas optimum rerum, nunquam servili sub nexu, vivito fili', which translates to 'I tell you the truth, the best of all things is freedom, never son, live under the bonds of slavery'. Taught to William Wallace in his boyhood.

About 200 yards from the monument, 'Wallace's Well' is located on the country road.

Robroyston Hospital was built as a municipal smallpox and tuberculosis hospital and opened in 1918. It was temporarily used as a military hospital in 1918-19. By 1925 450 beds at Robroyston were devoted to tuberculosis patients, almost half of Glasgow's total complement. In 1945 a maternity unit was added. In 1948 Robroyston joined the National Health Service under the Board of Management for Glasgow Northern Hospitals. In 1974 it was placed in the Northern District of the Greater Glasgow Health Board, it closed in 1977.

Robroyston House, which stood on the routeway to Kirkintilloch, was demolished in the 1960s.

Throughout the 1990s there were massive housing developments in this part of the Urban/rural fringe of Glasgow that drastically increased the population of the suburb to some 8300 people. As a result of the boom in population, the area became chronically deficient in infrastructure and provision of many local services, although this problem has been lessened somewhat by the construction of Asda and Aldi superstores. A primary school is under construction nearby and a Church of Scotland has been established. The development of the Nova Technology Park [http://www.scottish-enterprise.com/sedotcom_home/services-to-the-community/stc-keyprojects/clydecorridor/glasgowscience/novatechnologypark.htm] also looks to boost the local economy and jobs market. However, the area remains dependent on nearby Bishopbriggs for most vital services; including churches, schools, and recreational facilities. As a result there have been calls for the area to be formally incorporated within Bishopbriggs and transferred from the City of Glasgow to the control of East Dunbartonshire Council [http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=593672003] .

Robroystons' proximity to the M80 motorway permits easy access to Glasgow city centre as well as direct commuter routes to Falkirk, North Lanarkshire and Stirling. Development is continuing at Robroyston, demand is expected to be high for new properties at the Campsie Meadows estate, situted next to the original Robroyston development.

In August 2007, the new Wallacewell Retail Park opened for business - at the moment, Homebase, an Acorn Pet Store, a Bed Centre and a Currys electrical goods store are the only occupied units.

Public Transport services in the area have improved over time, with a frequent bus service being provided to the City Centre / West End of Glasgow.

[http://www.robroystoncommunitycouncil.org.uk Robroyston Community Council] has set up a website for residents and interested parties.

Bibliography

* "Old Glasgow and It's Suburbs in their Celtic Gard: Also Parish of Baldernock - Kirkintilloch to Stirling - Robroyston" by Neil Thomson with 80 pages. [ From a copy of "Old Glasgow" published by Coghill in 1907 with no ISBN ]

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