New Deli in the Village

Welcome, ViVi's Deli to Strathbungo. Located in the cooperage, in the lane across from the Wee Beer Shop, ViVi's provides sandwiches, home-brewed coffee, small plates, chilled beverages and B.Y.O.B both indoors and in the picturesque courtyard. Open 12:30 to 7:30pm.

This poem about a resident of the village was written by Thomas Lyle two centuries ago.

 

Strathbungo Jean

 

Blytrhe, blythe could I be wi’ her

Happy baith at morn and e’en

 

To my breast I’d warmly press her.

Charming main, Strathbungo Jean.

 

The Glasgow lasses dress fu’ braw,

And country girls gang meat and clean,

But nane o’ them’s a match ava

To my sweet maid, Strathbungo Jean.

 

Though they be dree’d in rich attire,

In silke brocade and mus-de-laine,

Wi’ busk and pad and satin stays,

They’ll never ding Strathbungo Jean.

 

Bedecke’d in striped gown and cait,

And hankerchief and apron clean.

Cheerfully tripping to her work,

Ilk day I meet Strathbungo Jean.

 

Ye gods who rule men’s destinies,

I humbly pray you’ll me befrieu’.

And aid me in my dearest wish

To gain my sweet Strathbungo Jean.

 

Gi’e to the ambitious priest a kirk,

Gi’e riches to the miser mean,

Let the coquette new conquests make.

But, O! gi’e me Strathbungo Jean.

 

No happiness a’ day have I,

My senses are bewulder’d clean.

In bed at night on her I cry,

My heaven on earth, Strathbungo Jean.

 

Should fortune kindly make her mine,

I would not change for Britain’s Queen;

But fondly in my arms I’d clasp

My charming maid, Strathbungo Jean.

 

Thomas Lyle circa 1820

The Cooperage

 

The former whisky barrel manufacturer in the lane at 674 Pollokshaws Road in the Village has been converted into offices and studios. The Cooperage also features a courtyard setting and a number of retail units including Emily Rose Vintage and Seamster Vintage. The hub is a welcome addition to Strathbungo Village.

Mexican in the village!

The Luchador is coming soonish to the site of the former Grays Kitchen. 'The Luchy' will be a bar and eatery inspired by all things Lucha Libre and serving craft beers, cocktails, tacos and Mexican dishes. The venue will be the second opened by the team behind Dundee's all-American dive bar, Abandon Ship. The Luchador, 719 Pollokshaws Road, Strathbungo Village G41 2AA

John McNicol & Sons - Strathbungo's Zulu Connection

The removal of the signage for 1st Class Restorations above the alleyway at 674 Pollockshaws Road has revealed another glimpse into the history of the village in revealing the name of JOHN MCNICOL & SONS JOINERS & VAT & TUN BUILDERS.

Although we haven't been able to discover anything more about the company at this site we did find them in Grace's Guide to British Industrial History  which states that that the company was established in 1904 and in 1914 were located at 202 - 204 Rutherglen Road, Glasgow, employing 12 people and listed as 'Joiners and vat and tun builders. Specialities: vats, wooden tanks of all sizes and shapes and erected at home and abroad/ chemical tanks; refrigerators; wooden shives and plugs: general turners'.

When the Birmingham based Kynoch company closed their ammunitions factory in Ireland which had employed almost 5,000 workers during World War 1 and moved production to Umlazi in South Africa in order to supply explosives to the gold mining operations on the Witwatersrand, 

John McNicol & Sons erected all the Vat Plant for the South African Factory which initially employed workers who had transferred from the Irish plant and the town of Umbogintwini or "Mbokodweni" in Zulu was established to house these Irish immigrant workers.  John Udal who was the general manager of both the Irish and South African sites aggressively pursued the recruitment of local Zulu workers with 15 years old boys being offered five-year apprenticeship with the factory with Kynoch providing being accommodation food and payment 12/- a month, rising to 16/- following completion of their apprenticeships.

The South African Kynoch company diversified into the production of fertilizer and grew from strength to strength.

Strathbungo the Pottery Village

The village is fast becoming a centre for pottery with Govanhill Baths Ceramics operating from the Deep End arts space at 21 Nithsdale Street since late June 2019 and Wild Gorse Pottery opening on 5th October at 684 Pollockshaws Road by professional Potter Jen Smith. 

Both Govanhill Ceramics and Wild Gorse Pottery provide a range of pottery classes and courses, further details can be found here:


Govanhill Baths Ceramics

Wild Gorse Pottery

Vini in the Village!

Bar Vini opened on 12 September 2019 in the former site of The Depot bar at 80 Victoria Road, Strathbungo. Initially offering a front wine and antipasti bar,, their plans are to open a trattoria in the backroom in mid-October. The bar offers a selection of wine by the glass and a small antipasti menu with aperitivo (happy hour) running daily from 4pm-6pm.