Edit Easterhouses' past
It was the early 1950's when building of the government assisted housing scheme started - with the aim of providing better housing for the people of the east end living in sub-standard conditions.
The current population (based on the 2001 census) was 26,495, of which 96.85% were born in Scotland. 172 people or 0.63% of this population were born outside Scotland, making it the lowest number of people born outside of Scotland in the whole of Scotland.
The remains of Iron Age Crannogs were found in Bishop Loch, dating from around 700 BC by an archaeological dig in 1898.
The Bishops of Glasgow were granted the land on which much of modern Easterhouse was built when the church of Glasgow was elevated into a bishopric in the 1100s. The remains of the bishop of Glasgow's country palace have been revealed by archaeologists from the West of Scotland Archaeology Service next to Bishops Loch (an SSI) at Lochwood.
The Forestry Commission administers land around Easterhouse under the name 'Bishops Estate', thus maintaining a link to the medieval bishops.
The far western and far northern part of modern day Easterhouse are believed to have been administered by the prebends of Barlanark, called the 'Lands of Provan' but the boundaries of this has never been accurately defined.
The fifteenth century mansion house, Provan Hall is a reminder of this ecclesiastical Pre-Reformation Papal administration.
The southern and eastern parts of the area, Bartiebeath, Blairtummock, Dungeonhill, Easterhouse, Hallhill, Netherhouse and Commonhead were also part of the Bishopric although granted by Malcolm IV to the Monks of Newbattle a little after 1162 in an un-named charter by permission of Bishop Herbert of the See of Glasgow.
The lands remained under the monks until 1268 when Bishop John de Cheyan redeemed the 'lands along the Clud' (Clyde) called Kermyl (Carmyle) - most of the area now comprising modern Easterhouse were included in this grant - to sustain three chaplains to 'minister for the salvation of the Bishop's soul and also for the souls of all the faithful deceased'
The village of Easterhouse was built to the south of a farm of that name, in the immediate area where Easterhouse railway station stands. The village was bounded to the north by the Monkland canal and to the south, almost continuously with, the village of Swinton.
Easterhouse farm was opposite (to the east) to the farm called Westerhouse.
Allthough I now stay in Barlanark area I lived in Easterhouse for some years and { enjoy reading the history of the area, I wonder if anyone can tell me about the mansionhouse that once was in the park in Barlanark. I believe there is a little ghost story about it. Can anyone help? Peter Sloway
Having moved to Easterhouse in 1959 when it was still mainly fields and woods Ihave seen massive changes over the years. With the new Fort shopping centre and the revamped swimming pool and Bridge library complex as well as all the new housing developments in Garthamlock and Ruchazie it has become a more pleasant and diverse place to live. I just hope people would stop knocking the place and concentrate on the positive aspects of the area
Steven I totally agree with you. I lived in Ruchazie in the 60s and everytime I go back when im on holiday from Toronto I can't believe the change and not for the better. Even the old Chapel St Maria Gorettie's is looking a bit worse for wear.
FRANK BARCLAY I WAS BORN AND BRED IN EASTERHOUSE ALWAYS THOUGHT I WANTED TO LEAVE, SO I'V STAYED IN ROYSTON, SHAWLANDS RUCHAZIE AND GATESHEAD BUT ALWAYS SEEM TO RETURN TO EASTERHOUSE. AND NOW I HAVE MY OWN FLAT AT 33 THIS IS MY 1ST EVER HOUSE OF MY OWN IN EASTERHOUSE AND I LOVE IT SO MUCH AND LOVE READING AND LEARNING ABOUT EASTERHOUSE
Frank its so refreshing to hear someone being positive about Easterhouse,I lived in Ruchazie before moving to Toronto and i know Easterhouse well as thats where my best friend lived ,Easterhouse rd, back in the 60s ,all those estates in that area where great places to grow up, I only have happy memories of my time there,
My cousin and her family lived in Easterhouse at 729 Westerhouse road they were called Pickering one of her boys Mark played for Morton football team. I went to visit her from time to time and i liked Easterhouse i liked the people. They moved to Stevenson Nr Saltcoats sadly my cousin died a few years ago but the family done well growing up in Easterhouse. June Gibson
June in the early 60s Easterhouse was a great place as were all those schemes in that area sadly things have changed,