Townhead
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Townhead shown within Glasgow | |
OS grid reference | NS595658 |
Council area | |
Lieutenancy area |
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Country | Scotland |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | GLASGOW |
Postcode district | G1 |
Dialling code | 0141 |
Police | Scottish |
Fire | Scottish |
Ambulance | Scottish |
EU Parliament | Scotland |
UK Parliament | |
Scottish Parliament | |
Townhead is an area of the city of Glasgow, Scotland.
Townhead (Gaelic: Ceann a' Baile), (Scots: Tounheid) has no fixed boundaries. In ancient times it was the undeveloped area north of the cathedral and town. If we use this description then it is bordered to the west by the area of Cowcaddens, to the north by Sighthill and the east by Royston and south by Merchant City. Housing is primarily ex-council stock (Glasgow has no council houses since their transfer to the Glasgow Housing association), although there are a number of student residences for International Christian College, Glasgow Caledonian University and Strathclyde University. Most of the housing units are fairly modern 8 in a block flats, although its most visual features are the four 24-storey high-rise flats named "Two Taylor Place", " Fifteen Grafton Place", " Seven St Mungo's Place" and " Twelve Dobbies Loan Place". In 2011 Townhead was designated part of the Collegeland area of Glasgow City centre 2013-2018 City Centre strategy and action plan
The oldest area of Glasgow, Townhead is where St Kentigern, also known as St Mungo built his church by the banks of the Molendinar Burn.
The oldest part of Townhead, and Glasgow is Glasgow Cathedral, dedicated to St Mungo and dates back to St Mungo's time, though the present building is from the 12th century onwards. Provand's Lordship, Glasgow's oldest remaining house, was constructed from the late 15th century by Bishop Andrew, later given the surname Muirhead as part of St Nicholas Hospital, a lodging for the poor. The hospital, or more accurately a hospitium, provided accommodation for twelve poor men as well their care who contributed through work in the hospital, Bible study and a products from the gardens. The gardens were restored in 1997 and like the original St Nicolas garden, the herb grown are those known for healing properties and medicinal use.