North Kelvinside facts for kids
Quick facts for kids North Kelvinside
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 North Kelvinside
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| OS grid reference | NS576675 |
| Council area | |
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| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | GLASGOW |
| Postcode district | G20 |
| Dialling code | 0141 |
| Police | Strathclyde |
| Fire | Strathclyde |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament | |
| Scottish Parliament | |
North Kelvinside (also called North Kelvin, Scottish Gaelic: Cealbhainn a Tuath) is a neighborhood in the Scottish city of Glasgow. It's a mostly residential area where people live in homes and apartments.
Even though it shares a postcode with Maryhill, North Kelvinside is its own unique place. It was never part of Maryhill's old town government before it joined Glasgow in 1912. The buildings and the way people live here are quite different from Maryhill.
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Exploring North Kelvinside
North Kelvinside used to be a large country estate. Over time, the city grew around it. This means many buildings in the area were built in the early 1900s.
It sits on the northern edge of Glasgow's West End. The River Kelvin forms its southern border. The area is very close to fun places like the Glasgow Botanic Gardens. It's also near the University of Glasgow, where many students and teachers live.
Why "North Kelvinside"?
The name "North Kelvinside" might sound a bit confusing. It's not directly north of the fancier Kelvinside area. Instead, it's named this way because it's on the north bank of the River Kelvin.
The homes here are mostly tenements, which are large apartment buildings. But you can also find some grander houses and old Victorian homes. There are even a few small, older cottages. People often say North Kelvinside is a quiet and peaceful place. This is true even though it's close to the city center.
Getting Around
It's interesting that you can't drive all the way through North Kelvinside in every direction. This is because some roads have blocks. These blocks help stop cars from cutting through the neighborhood.
Famous Buildings and Landmarks
North Kelvinside has some very special buildings. They show off different styles of architecture.
- Kelvin Stevenson Memorial Church: This church was designed by J. J. Stevenson in 1898.
- St. Charles Parish Church: Built in 1959, this church is known for its unique concrete roof. It also has cool sculptures called Stations of the Cross by Benno Schotz.
- The Mackintosh Church: This is the only church ever designed by the famous architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh. You can find it at Queen's Cross.
Another important local landmark is the Sixty Steps. These steps were designed by Alexander "Greek" Thomson in 1872. They were part of a bigger plan to develop the area.
Fun Things to Do and See
North Kelvinside offers many places to explore and enjoy.
- Kelvin Walkway: This path runs along the River Kelvin. It connects Kelvingrove Park to the Botanic Gardens. It's a great place for a walk or bike ride.
- Shops and Cafes: You'll find a row of small, independent shops and cafes. These are perfect for grabbing a snack or a unique gift.
- Green Spaces: The North Kelvin Meadow and the Children's Wood are local green areas. They offer places to relax and play outdoors.
- Scottish Squash and Racketball Club (SSRC): This club has been around since 1934. It's Scotland's oldest club for squash.
- Nearby Attractions: The area is also a short walk from the shops, pubs, and restaurants on Great Western and Byres Roads.
People from North Kelvinside
Many well-known people have lived in North Kelvinside.
- Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman: He was a former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
- Louisa Jordan: A famous nurse.
- Robbie Coltrane: A well-known actor.
- Stanley Baxter: A popular comedian.
- Lynne Ramsay: A talented film director.
- Peter McDougall: A screenwriter and playwright.
- Members of the rock band Teenage Fanclub.
- TV interior designers Justin Ryan and Colin McAllister.
- Politicians like Ian Davidson and Maria Fyfe.
Schools and Churches
There used to be a school called North Kelvinside Secondary School. It served many students from the Maryhill area. However, this school is now closed. Most of its students moved to Cleveden Secondary School. This school is in the Kelvindale area, across the River Kelvin.
Some famous people who went to North Kelvinside Secondary School include:
- Actor Robert Carlyle.
- Musician Jimmy Somerville.
- Janis Sharp, mother of Gary McKinnon.
North Kelvinside Parish Church used to be a well-known church. Its minister, Rev Tom Allan, became famous after World War II. He wrote a book called The Face of My Parish. Sadly, the church building was taken down recently. The church community is now joining with the nearby Ruchill Parish Church.
Nearby Areas
North Kelvinside is surrounded by other interesting Glasgow neighborhoods:
- To the south is Hillhead, which is the main part of Glasgow's West End.
- To the north is Maryhill.
- To the west are Kelvindale and Kelvinside.
- To the east are Firhill and Woodside.
The people of North Kelvinside, along with those in Firhill and Murano Street Student Village, are served by the North Kelvin Community Council. This group helps look after the local area.
Images for kids
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Detail of the retaining wall at the 'Sixty Steps'
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St Charles Parish Church
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Kelvin Stevenson Memorial Church
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Crosslands pub, featured in the film Trainspotting
