Germiston, Glasgow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Germiston |
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 Royston Road, Germiston at Broomfield Road looking west (2009) |
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 Germiston
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| OS grid reference | NS617666 |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area |
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| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | GLASGOW |
| Postcode district | G21 2 |
| Dialling code | 0141 |
| Police | Strathclyde |
| Fire | Strathclyde |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament | |
Germiston is a neighbourhood in Glasgow, Scotland. It is located north of the River Clyde.
This area is often seen as part of the Springburn suburb. It sits along the 'Royston Road corridor'. This area is between the Cumbernauld Line railway and the M8 motorway. Germiston is located between Blackhill to the east and Royston to the west.
Contents
History of Germiston
Germiston was once centered around Germiston House. This large house was built in 1690 by Robert Dinwiddie. He was a wealthy tobacco merchant from Virginia. His sons, Robert Dinwiddie (who became governor of Virginia) and Lawrence Dinwiddie (who became Lord Provost of Glasgow), were born there.
Lawrence Dinwiddie later inherited the house. He raised his 21 children in this large home.
Changes to Germiston House
In 1864, Reverend Dr. George Stewart Burns bought the house. He was a minister at Glasgow Cathedral. The area around the house changed when a railway line was built nearby. Around 1890, the house was used as homes for workers.
Industry and Railways
During the Industrial Revolution, Glasgow grew a lot. Germiston was important for making locomotives (train engines). It was also on a major railway junction. One factory, Germiston Works, was sold to the Cape Asbestos Company. They made fireproof materials there.
Today, the plant is owned by Promat. It now uses safer materials like Calcium Silicate for its products.
Underground Railway and Tunnels
Germiston used to have a narrow gauge underground railway. Much of its path is now filled in for new houses. A tunnel from this railway is known as the "Blind Tunnel." It now carries a single-track road for cars and has lights for people walking.
This tunnel is sometimes confused with another nearby tunnel. That one is now blocked off. The underground railway carried coke to the local Provan Gas Works. This coke was used to make natural gas.
Tower Blocks and New Homes
From 1967, three tall 18-storey tower blocks were built in Germiston. They were on Coll Place and Forge Place. These blocks provided 306 new homes. They were taken down in 1992, 2008, and 2011.
In the early 2000s, new private homes were built. This brought new life to the area. Before this, many people had low incomes after local factories closed. Most of the older homes were from the 1930s. New buildings on old railway land have also helped Germiston grow.
Education in Germiston
Barmulloch Primary School is located in Germiston on Forge Street. It serves the community about half a mile north. The school that was there before, St Gilbert's RC Primary, closed in 2009. This was part of a plan by Glasgow City Council to close and reorganize schools.
St Gilbert's pupils went to St Philomena's in Provanmill or St Roch's in Royston. Barmulloch Primary students usually go to Springburn Academy for high school.
Secondary School Choices
Other local children who go to Royston Primary School attend Smithycroft Secondary School in Riddrie. This is also true for students from Wallacewell Primary. Wallacewell Primary serves North Balornock and Robroyston.
Catholic students have different high school options. Those from St Roch's Primary go to the secondary school of the same name. Students from St Philomena's Primary are expected to go to All Saints Secondary in Barmulloch.
Transport in Germiston
Germiston is served by several bus routes.
- Route 19 (Glasgow - Easterhouse) is run by First Glasgow.
- Route 19A (Glasgow - Robroyston) is run by JMB Travel and First.
- Route 329 (Glasgow - Stobhill Hospital via Roystonhill) is run by PVT Transfer Ltd.
Germiston used to have a tram route, number 2. This tram went from Polmadie to Provanmill. In 1949, it was replaced by trolleybus service 102. This trolleybus ran until 1966.
Even though there are many railway lines in the area, Germiston does not have its own train station for passengers. The closest one is Barnhill.
