BAILLIESTON WEST (BROOM / HUNTINGTOWER)

© Baillieston Born 'n' Bred 2024

This was planned by LCC as the "Broom Estate", however it later became the "Huntingtower Estate" believed to be because it was the main thoroughfare that ran through the housing scheme. When they complete the Berriedale phase of the estate they actually erected a sign that said “Huntingtower Estate” . I have explained the probable reason for that particular choice name below and links to the other naming theme.

BROOM PHASE 1: (Locally Known as "The Electric Scheme / Hooses" 1963/64/65)

HUNTINGTOWER ROAD

  All the castle names used in the scheme have a common theme linked to where Mary Queen of Scots sought refuge during her exile. She certainly must have travelled through Baillieston, probably then Barrachnie and Broom as she travelled south from Provan Hall to Bothwell Castle, hence the name Maryville just across the North Calder from Daldowie where Greyfriars monastery was.

The lands south of the Baillieston House estate was Crown Land and the Crown Land Commissioners were the Maxwell family.

What I always remember as a boy before tis scheme was built there was the fantastic view of the Clyde Valley and Cathkin Braes from the top of the offshoot lane at the top of the path where the Huntingtower path meets the Kelburn Gardens, Tantallon Road and  Blair Crescent paths intersect. The old original track up to that point was raised about 2 feet higher than the fields on either side, and with hind sight and study of the Romans in Scotland I am sure it was a road up to an old Roman Signalling Station as it seemed to be a well made road to nowhere and lined with 200+ year old Beech Tree avenue. This is actually no big deal as Roman Roads and Signalling towers were everywhere they invaded. As a boy I used to cycle up the beech tree lined avenue that started just across the Garrowhill Burn at the south end of the Baillieston House estate that led up to that highest point. It was a viewpoint if nothing else as there was a sundial there and a stone bench.

Perhaps the main road through the estate should have been named Huntingtower or even Broom Avenue as those twin rows of trees were quite a feature up until around 1990 or so. Sadly not one of the 250+ year old beech trees remain.

The rest of the street names in the estate are all castle names :

 CLUNY GARDENS, STIRLING WAY, CULZEAN CRESCENT, CROMBIE GARDENS, BEAULY ROAD, TANTALLON ROAD, BLAIR CRESCENT, KELBURN GARDENS, WEMYSS GARDENS, AIRLIE ROAD,  SCONE WALK.

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HUNTINGTOWER EXTENSION / BERRIEDALE (1966/67) :  

This was built on the old Baillieston House estate grounds. The mansion was destroyed by fire in late 1963. ( I watched the fire from Old Wood Road that night) and I am sure it was the same day that JFK was assassinated as I was at Matteo's Ice Cream van that Friday night and the adults were talking about it when we all saw the flames through the trees.

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BERRIEDALE AVENUE : NEIDPATH: Both Castles were Mary Queen of Scots had stayed during her exile.

BROOM PHASE 2: (Known locally as "The Gas Houses" 1968/69) 

ORCHARD STREET : The name an old cottage in the bordering Greenoakhill Estate. (*Old Maps/ Valuation Rolls)

CROWN STREET:  The surrounding estates and Broom estate were all Crown Land.  Also the Railway line that branched off the Airdrie line down to central Mount Vernon and Broomhouse Stations and crossed over the Caledonian line just west of the old dog track was called the "Crown Hall Branch Line" and was dismantled in 1963 under the Beecham cuts.(Old Maps / Land Register)

TUDOR STREET:  Mary Queen of Scots was only survivor the rightful heir to the house of Tudor via her grandmother and the only surviving heir of Hendry VII. She should have been queen of England and Scotland. Her cousin Elizabeth I executed her.

ALBION STREET:  The old Roman name for England. This would also link in with Caledonia the old Roman name for Scotland and the Union of the Crowns.

CASTLE STREET:  The key to the Broom / Huntingtower Estate street castle names. But the choice of castles was interesting.

BROOM PATH  Named after this area of Crown Lands known as Broom.

MOSS PATH:  This was an old pathway to Boghall, which was a "Moss", another name for a bog. Old maps indicate there was an old area here named "The Moss". (Old Maps)

CALEDONIA ROAD: was extended through this last section of Broom.