History
'Old Residents of Shettleston claim the Kirkhouse is the oldest hostelry in Glasgow, but there
is some doubt as to the date when it was first established. After recent rennovation an
establishment date of 1717 appeared on the new frontage, whereas prior to rennovation,
the date had been 1770. As the old inn took its name from the adjacent 'Auld Kirk' of
Shettleston built in 1751, the latter date would seen the more accurate.
Dean McAleer, in his memoires of Shettleston in 1860, records that 'Blin Bookings' where held at the Kirkhouse. When the young people of the village desired an evening's entertainment, two were selected or volunteered to 'get married', hence the blin booking. Small presents were given and the young people cleared all the expenses of the evenings entertainment.
Upstairs, Fiddler Stinson sat in a chair with his head almost touching the roof. Then the dancing started and the men paid a penny for each reel and when they had danced 12, got the 13th free and were then ready for a pint brought up from downstairs. The dancing went on all evening, but everyone had to clear out at eleven o'clock. '
Dean McAleer, in his memoires of Shettleston in 1860, records that 'Blin Bookings' where held at the Kirkhouse. When the young people of the village desired an evening's entertainment, two were selected or volunteered to 'get married', hence the blin booking. Small presents were given and the young people cleared all the expenses of the evenings entertainment.
Upstairs, Fiddler Stinson sat in a chair with his head almost touching the roof. Then the dancing started and the men paid a penny for each reel and when they had danced 12, got the 13th free and were then ready for a pint brought up from downstairs. The dancing went on all evening, but everyone had to clear out at eleven o'clock. '
Extract from 'Shettleston from Old and New Photographs'
By Thomas M. Waugh
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