River Clyde Tops Regeneration Poll

The River Clyde has been voted Glasgow's best reinvention by the city's residents.

A Scottish Opinion poll for Registers of Scotland (RoS) found one third of Glaswegians believe the Clyde’s regeneration has ensured it will remain at the heart of the city for years to come.

The research follows the launch of a unique installation, Foundation Glasgow – the Growth of a City.

Using a mixture of audio visual techniques it tells, for the first time, the story of Glasgow’s beginning as a small fishing village through to the changes projected to take place for the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

The River Clyde has been Glasgow's gateway to the world, growing from a shallow salmon river to a major port, importing and exporting goods all over the world. During the 19th and 20th centuries 30,000 ships were built on the river and more than 50,000 locomotives exported.


Now, £5 billion of investment is transforming the river again with housing, offices and leisure developments along 20 kilometres of water.

The 21st century has seen Glasgow reinvent itself again into a cultural and digital hub and will be a centre of excellence for sports following the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

The poll found the restoration of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery was a close second for Glaswegians with a quarter of those asked voting for it as their favourite revitalised landmark. A £27.9 million refurbishment completed in 2006 has made the museum one of the UK's most popular attractions.

One in five people said the transformation of the Merchant City into a culture venue was their favourite while 12 percent voted for Scotland’s premier shopping destination, Buchanan Street.

The re-development of the New Gorbals came fifth with 5 percent of the vote.

Sheenagh Adams, the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland, said: "Foundation brings the story of Glasgow to life.

"It captures the history and spirit of the city from its birth as a small fishing village on the banks of the River Clyde through to it being named as the venue of the Commonwealth Games in 2014. The River Clyde has always been at the heart of Glasgow and its regeneration throughout the years has ensured it remains in the hearts of Glaswegians too."

(GK/KMcA)