High Street, Glasgow

File:High Street tenements, Glasgow.JPG

Victorian tenements near the northern end of the street

High Street is the oldest, and one of the most historically significant, streets in Glasgow, Scotland. Originally the city's main street in medieval times, it formed a direct north-south artery between the Cathedral of St. Mungo (later Glasgow Cathedral) in the north, to Glasgow Cross and the banks of the River Clyde. The High Street now stops at Glasgow Cross, with the southern continuation being the Saltmarket.

From 1563 to 1870, the original buildings of the University of Glasgow were located at the junction of High Street and Duke Street, before moving to the West End. The site was then turned into the College Goods yard by the City of Glasgow Union Railway before it was closed in 1968 in the wake of the Beeching Axe. The derelict wall of the goods warehouse still faces onto this section of Duke Street - this wall will be preserved and incorporated as part of the Glasgow Collegelands development which will transform this section of High Street markedly.

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The steeple of the old Tolbooth stands at the southern end of the street.

When the Industrial Revolution in Victorian times triggered the massive growth in Glasgow's size, the importance of High Street diminished as the administrative functions of the city moved westward into what is now known as the Merchant City area. The original City Chambers at the foot of High Street was closed and moved to the present building which stands overlooking George Square in the late 19th century.

As the 20th century progressed, many areas of High Street fell into dereliction. However, in the early 21st Century, the fortunes of High Street have enjoyed a renaissance with Glasgow's growing economy. Much of the derelict land has been redeveloped into upmarket apartment buildings and new student residences for the adjacent University of Strathclyde. The former railway lands next to High Street railway station are being developed into a science park. The railway station itself will be substantially remodelled if the Glasgow Crossrail scheme is approved by the Scottish Government.