Bearsden History

Explore my collection of articles on notable residents, locations and other moments of history in and around the Bearsden area. Comments and feedback warmly welcomed on all posts.

Dalsholm Paper Mill

This photo is of Dalsholm Paper Mill on 19th June 1934 and this is approximately the same view on Google Earth, just over 90 years later: Pulling back gives a...
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The Lady and The Sweet Shop

This image was posted by Kenny Speirs on the Old Maryhill and Old Glasgow Facebook page in February 2025.  Kenny thought the location was Maryhill Road and the number 1856...
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The Romans in Bearsden

In the unlikely event you went to the Tripadvisor website and typed in Bearsden, then clicked on Things to Do, you would find five listings with the Roman Bathhouse at...
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The Toll House, Canniesburn

In 1861 the south entrance to what we now call Bearsden looked like this: Just to the left of centre you can see “Canniesburn TP” where TP stands for turnpike. ...
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Bearsden’s farms: Mosshead, Gartconnell, North & South Baljaffray

I found this fascinating map on the Scotland's People website.  It is dated 1945 and was part of a series covering farmland in Scotland.  In the area I have selected...
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Two lost Bearsden villas: St Germains and Lochbrae

In the post 1861 I showed the substantial houses on the north side of St Germain's Loch,  While I have found several undated pictures of houses surrounding the loch, I have not...
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The Canal Bridge, Temple

In a previous post I described the site of Temple Saw Mills (link) which was on the land to the west of Bearsden Road, between the Forth Clyde Canal and...
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Roman Road: what was there before the car park and ‘modern’ flats?

The contrast between the remains of a Roman bath house and the 1970s flats at Roman Court on Roman Road in Bearsden make an interesting contrast.  But what was there...
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Burnbrae: The Dye Works and The House

Burnbrae, as we know, is located on the Milngavie Road out of Bearsden.  Craighdu Burn, which runs in between McDonalds and Pure Gym, is the boundary between Bearsden and Milngavie. ...
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Temple Saw Mill

You'll be familiar with the drive from Anniesland towards Bearsden, passing Morrisons on your right, the Shell garage on the left, then going over the canal bridge (so wide you...
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