Shawlands

Shawlands Scottish Gaelic: Fearann na Doire
Shawlands Cross, Glasgow (2005)
Area	0.52 km2 (0.20 sq mi) [1]
Population	7,015 (2015)[2]
• Density	13,490/km2 (34,900/sq mi)
Council area	Glasgow City Council
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	GLASGOW
Postcode district	G
Dialling code	0141
Police	Scottish
Fire	Scottish
Ambulance	Scottish
EU Parliament	Scotland

Shawlands (Scottish Gaelic: Fearann na Doire)^[3] is an area of Glasgow, Scotland located less than 2 miles (3 kilometres) south of the River Clyde. The area has an approximate population of 7015 people, with over 82% dwelling in flats, 74% owner occupied and 79% living alone or with one other person.^[4] Neighbouring districts include the areas of Crossmyloof, Strathbungo, Langside, Newlands, and Pollokshaws with Shawlands itself overlapping the Glasgow City Ward map areas 6 (Pollokshields) 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.^[4] 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.^[4] The park also has allotments, a botanical glass house, public tennis courts, a public golf course, children's play areas, a boating pond and views of Glasgow. The refurbished amphitheatre holds open-air performances of Shakespeare and children's plays during summer. The park holds the annual Southside Festival,^[5] 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.

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

References