Shawlands

Shawlands Cross (2005)

Shawlands (Scottish Gaelic: Fearann na Doire)^[1] is a district of Glasgow, Scotland located less than 2 miles (3 kilometres) south of the River Clyde. The area has an approximate population of 8000 people, with over 82% dwelling in flats, 74% owner occupied and 79% living alone or with one other person.^[2] Neighbouring districts include the areas of Crossmyloof, Langside and Pollokshaws with Shawlands itself overlapping the Glasgow City Ward map areas 6 (Polloksheilds) and 7 (Langside) The area consists mainly of tenement flats but also includes two-storey terraced cottages and a small number of detached and semi-detached houses.^[2] Tenements remain the most common form of dwelling in the city today.

Cultural amenities

Within walking distance of Shawlands is Queens Park, acquired in 1857 and designed by the world-renowned Sir Joseph Paxton, also responsible for noted public parks in London, Liverpool, Birkenhead and the grounds of the Spa Buildings at Scarborough. The park was dedicated to the memory of Mary, Queen of Scots and not Queen Victoria, a common misconception given the proximity to Victoria Road. The park is steeped in history and was the site of the 16th century Battle of Langside.^[3] The park also has allotments, a botanical glass house, public tennis courts, a public golf course, children's play areas, a boating pond and spectacular views of Glasgow. The park holds the annual Southside Festival and the Wee Chill Music Festival.

Education

Shawlands Primary School has an approximate capacity of over 600 pupils and is part of the Shawlands New Learning Community which also includes; Annette St Primary, Battlefield Primary, Blackfriars Primary, Cuthbertson Primary and Langside Primary. The non denominational secondary within the area Shawlands Academy has an approximate capacity of over 1,200 pupils. The school has just undergone an extensive renovation which has seen it transformed into Glasgow’s specialist languages centre. The International School, the first of its kind in Scotland, also houses the Bi-lingual Support Unit.^[4] It is estimated that over 50 languages are currently spoken by the school’s pupils, representing the diverse multicultural pupil population. Also in Shawlands is St. Conval's Primary school, a Roman Catholic School situated on Shawhill Road. St. Conval's is part of the Holyrood Learning Community for Holyrood R.C. Secondary School in the Crosshill area.

Religion

Religious establishments within the district include: Shawlands Kirk, Saint Helen's, Destiny Church and South Shawlands Church.http://www.calvaryglasgow.com/

Sport

Located on Kilmarnock Road are, Fitness First, providing gym and aerobic exercise classes. The area is also home to Shawlands bowling club and Pro Judo, the largest judo club in the West of Scotland. Hampden Park, Scotland's national stadium and home of Queens Park Football Club is located less than 2 mi (3 km) from Shawlands Cross. Also just South of Shawlands is Newlandsfield Park home of Pollok FC.

Transport

Air

Shawlands is located 8.8 mi (14.2 km) from Glasgow International Airport, Paisley. This is the nearest commercial airport serving the Greater Glasgow region. The area is 24 mi (39 km) from Glasgow Prestwick Airport, served by the Ryanair budget airline.

Road

Shawlands has close links to the M77 and M8 motorways (accessing at Dumbreck Road). Shawlands has two main roads that eventually join together, Kilmarnock Road and Pollokshaws Road.

Rail

The area is within walking distance of Crossmyloof Railway Station, Shawlands Railway Station and Pollokshaws East Railway Station. All stations have direct links to the city centre, terminating at Glasgow Central Station. Journey times to the city centre are under 10 minutes and services are provided by Scotrail.

Bus

Bus services to the area are plentiful running from Glasgow city centre 24 hours. The majority of buses are operated by First Glasgow and journey planners can be created on the Traveline Scotland website.

References