Tracing Glasgow’s Imperial Past in Kelvingrove Park

Glasgow’s often referred to as having been the ‘second city’ of the British Empire, a nickname coined in the early-nineteenth century that symbolised the might of its industries and the reach of its trade connections. The city’s capacity for making and exporting all manner of goods, commodities and capital was well known, and the influence of Glasgow and its citizens was as evident in Kingston, Jamaica as Kingston, Ontario. But, Glasgow’s involvement in the British imperial project had a profound impact here as well, including shaping the city’s built environment. This heritage trail takes you through Kelvingrove Park, stopping at various locations that reflect Glasgow’s past as an imperial metropolis. Beginning at the eastern tip of Kelvingrove Park, we’ll wind our way along its avenues and pathways exploring sites that reveal Glasgow’s connections to chattel slavery, colonialism and imperialism. Traces of this past are largely invisible today – there are no signs or plaques telling us about this – but by slow walking and close looking we can bring these ‘hidden’ histories into view.