Post by Waverley on Nov 23, 2012 15:09:37 GMT 1
Sometime ago we had a discussion on where or how the name of Parkhead came into being. I am now convinced that it came from the parklands that was in and around the area directly facing the Clansman pub i.e. Edmiston Street, Palace Street, Malcolm Street and Delburn Street area.
How do I come about this conclusion? Well the original village around the Cross (the Sheddens) was historically referred to as Westmuir. In this case a hamlet of some kind was named Westmuir since the the latter part of the 16th century, likewise there was an Eastmuir out towards the far end of Shettleston. Shettleston being the oldest of the local townlands it is safe to assume that the west muir of the township was what we now call Parkhead and the east muir of the township would be in and around the Gartocher Road area of Shettleston.
Whilst the earliest maps availble do show some form of habitation i.e. orchards and houses in the area west of the cross in and around Janefield Cemetery there is no name other than a reference to Little Hill of Tollcross. However, in Willox's book he makes reference to how he herded cattle circa 1855 in the park just down by where the present Newlands School stands. There was also a cluster of buildings in the vicinity named Whinnery Park. I am making my assumption on the fact that in true Scots tradition place names were usually plain and simple so it makes sense that the Sheddens of the village of Westmuir would gradually be named the head of the Park which would invarably refererred to as the Parkhead through time as Westmuir expanded and grew. Unless someone has evidence to challenge this theory then I will be including this in my new publication when I go through to Edinburgh for a meeting with my proof-reader at Edinburgh University Press next week. And naw the book will not be out for Xmas this year...maybe next Christmas. ;D
How do I come about this conclusion? Well the original village around the Cross (the Sheddens) was historically referred to as Westmuir. In this case a hamlet of some kind was named Westmuir since the the latter part of the 16th century, likewise there was an Eastmuir out towards the far end of Shettleston. Shettleston being the oldest of the local townlands it is safe to assume that the west muir of the township was what we now call Parkhead and the east muir of the township would be in and around the Gartocher Road area of Shettleston.
Whilst the earliest maps availble do show some form of habitation i.e. orchards and houses in the area west of the cross in and around Janefield Cemetery there is no name other than a reference to Little Hill of Tollcross. However, in Willox's book he makes reference to how he herded cattle circa 1855 in the park just down by where the present Newlands School stands. There was also a cluster of buildings in the vicinity named Whinnery Park. I am making my assumption on the fact that in true Scots tradition place names were usually plain and simple so it makes sense that the Sheddens of the village of Westmuir would gradually be named the head of the Park which would invarably refererred to as the Parkhead through time as Westmuir expanded and grew. Unless someone has evidence to challenge this theory then I will be including this in my new publication when I go through to Edinburgh for a meeting with my proof-reader at Edinburgh University Press next week. And naw the book will not be out for Xmas this year...maybe next Christmas. ;D