The Waverley Gazette

Inside Central Station - BBC Scotland launches its 4th series about Glasgow Central

‘Inside Central Station’

The BBC Scotland documentary following the staff at Glasgow Central Station is in now into its 4th series.

At the back of the station is the 4-star Glasgow's Central Hotel, now run by Voco,

Glasgow's Grand Central Hotel has been a Glasgow landmark since it opened in 1883. Over its long history it has played host to show business stars such as Laurel & Hardy, and Frank Sinatra, and world leaders such as John F Kennedy and Winston Churchill. Through parties, weddings, drinks, and events, thousands of people have travelled to the hotel from all over the world, as well as Glasgow and Scotland.

The hotel, is no stranger to television – indeed it has a permanent link to Scotland’s great history of inventiveness and creativity. In 1927 the hotel hosted one of the most transformational events of the 20th century, when John Logie Baird made the first-ever long-distance television broadcast from London to a room on the fourth floor.

John Logie Baird chose the Central Hotel back in 1927 as the receiving equipment used was transported from London by train so it was a simple matter to move it from the adjoining Central Station. Just a quick walk across the concourse.

On the wider screen, in 1954, the hotel appeared in the Ealing Film Studios’ comedy, The Maggie, made by Alexander Mackendrick. Several scenes were filmed on the west coast of Scotland at Islay, and in Glasgow. The film reflects life as it was in the 1950s when Glasgow was an industrial city with a thriving riverside (and not short of few characters among its citizens!).

‘Glasgow’s Grand Central Hotel – Glasgow’s Most Loved Hotel’, by Bill Hicks and Jill Scott is published by Waverley Books, Glasgow.

The many illustrations in the book include pictures of people’s personal mementoes as well as wonderful images, old and new, documenting the development of the hotel from its beginnings in 1883 as Glasgow’s railway station hotel at Central Station to the bustling presence it has today.

The book shows how the railway and the businesses surrounding the station, including the Central Hotel, have helped shape Glasgow throughout the years.

The Central Hotel was always known for its outstanding interior and its food. The Dining rooms were famous.

Today the hotel is prized for its high standards of food and the cocktail bar is famous for its beautiful decor and friendly welcome.

In 1914 King George V visited Glasgow with his wife Queen Mary. The House of Windsor was established with King George V as he was the first Windsor monarch. Today's working royals are descendants of King George and his wife Queen Mary. in 1917 the name of the family was changed from the German 'Saxe-Coburg-Gotha' to Windsor. History is a funny thing isn't it? King George only gained the throne because of the death of his brother Prince Albert, and Mary had been intended to marry Albert, but agreed after Albert's death to marry George. King George V is Queen Elizabeth II's grandfather. Here is a spread from the book that shows King George V and Queen Mary visiting Glasgow's Central Station on a tour of Scotland. The station at this moment boasts today a beautiful Christmas tree, and plants. Not so different! Still friendly and welcoming to all.