Robroyston

William Wallace

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' which was taught to William Wallace in his boyhood.

Auchinairn Instrumental Band, Unveiling of the Wallace Memorial, Robroyston 4 August 1900

About 200 yards from the monument, 'Wallace's Well' is located on the country road.^[2]

Hospital

Robroyston Hospital was built as a municipal smallpox and tuberculosis hospital and opened in 1918.^[3] 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.

Housing developments

A view of the countryside around Robroyston, in Autumn

A small housing community of mainly minrers' rows formed the village of Robroyston c. 1929 to the east of the Barmulloch estates. At that time an open cast mine occupied the land that has now become Robroyston Park^[4] and these houses were occupied mostly by workers. The Barmulloch housing estate was developed throughout the 1950s and in turn absorbed the original Robroyston village, comprising Zena Street (extended to Barmulloch), Earnock Street, Olive Street, Sheila Street, Winifred Street and Hilda Crescent, with most of the housing being cottage flats.

Throughout the 1990s, large-scale housing developments were undertaken to the north east of the original village in the land that was commonly known as Robroyston Mains^[5] in this part of the Urban/rural fringe of Glasgow. The houses in the initial phase are within four clusters: Brookfield, Briarcroft, Glendale and Louden Hill. This 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.

Typical group of small detached houses

Robroyston is underdeveloped in terms of community facilities, but a newly opened primary school (Wallacewell Primary) with community access out of hours is nearby. The Church of Scotland has responded to the growing needs of this new community by establishing Robroyston Church behind Asda at Saughs Drive in the Glendale Estate. Robroyston Church runs both Girls' and Boys' Brigades and employs two youth workers to work with the local teenagers. The church building is also used by a number of other organisations including a parent and toddler group.

Housing on Auchenbothie Crescent

The development of the Nova Technology Park^[6] also looks to boost the local economy and jobs market. Currently, the area is dependent on neighbouring Bishopbriggs, however, a new development which will bring many new homes and leisure and health facilities, as well as a new train station, worth £300 million has been approved by Glasgow City Council,^[7] so this should address the lack of facilities in Robroyston.^[8]

Transport

Robroyston's proximity to the M80 motorway permits easy access to Glasgow city centre as well as direct commuter routes to Falkirk, Stirling and Edinburgh. Development is continuing at Robroyston,^[7] and demand is expected to be high for new properties at the Stewart Milne Campsie Meadows development (around the site of the local mansion, Robroyston House),^[9] Cala Homes Wallacefield and Dickie Homes Robroyston Estate which are situated close to the original modern Robroyston development and near the site of the Wallace Memorial.

A railway station is planned at Robroyston, which is expected to be complete by March 2019.^[10]

Shopping

In August 2007, the new Wallace Well Retail Park opened for business; Homebase, Watt Brothers and B & M occupy the available units. There is also a McDonald's fast food outlet based in the grounds of the Retail Park.