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Glasgow Eurowalk 2

Point A - Templeton’s Carpet Factory

Walking Route Instructions: The walk starts at the former Templeton’s Carpet Factory at Glasgow Green. The postcode is G40 1DW.

This magnificent building was modeled on the Doge’s Palace in Venice. Built in 1892, it features orange, yellow, and blue bricks. The story goes that Templeton wanted to build a factory to make his carpets. However, he was always refused planning permission. In exasperation, he asked his architect which he thought was the most famous building. The Doge’s Palace was the reply. “Model the factory on that” was his instruction!

At one time 10% of people in Glasgow were involved in the production of carpets and textiles at the peak of the industrial revolution. Templeton’s Carpet Factory: Historic attraction at Glasgow Green – Clyde Waterfront Heritage. However one very sad memory is that on the 1st November 1889, 29 young women and girls lost their lives when a wall at part of the factory blew over during a gale. Their ages ranged from 14 to 25.

Photo Credits – Templeton’s by R. Lightbody
Detail of building – R. Lightbody

For comparison here is a link to an image of the Doge’s Palace in Venice : https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Le_palais_des_doges_%C3%A0_Venise.jpeg (Attribution: User: Chourmo, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

You may also want to stop off for a beer as there is a brewery/pub/restaurant famously also making beer in the German style here:

WEST Brewery – Glaswegian heart. German head. (westbeer.com).

The West Brewery brews its beer according to the German Purity Law of 1516, so can only be brewed using four ingredients: water, malt, hops and yeast.  It’s apparently the only brewery in the UK to do this! “Glaswegian Heart, German Head” 🍺🍺🍺

Photos from Templeton’s Carpet factory when it was in operation- https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/17425489.thanks-memories-templetons-lyles-workers-recall-happy-days-glasgow/#gallery5

Walking Route Instructions: Now walk across to the People’s Palace Museum which is directly opposite the Templeton’s building next to the magnificent Doulton Fountain.