Myth of mysterious 'Red door' in Scots city that has sparked fear among people

Daily Record

03-07-2025

Scotland is full of strange and colourful urban legends like the Catman of Greenock and the Gorbals Vampire
Scotland has no shortage of strange and colourful urban legends, from the infamous Catman of Greenock to the Gorbals Vampire, stories soaked in local humour and curiosity.
But some myths are whispered more quietly, less shared at the pub and more buried in corners of the internet. One such tale, baffling and bizarre, is that of the Red Door of Glasgow.
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The legend, murky and inconsistent at best, has surfaced occasionally online, usually with a mix of comedy and ominous warning, Scottish Daily Express reports.
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Some say it began as a throwaway gag by Scots comic Limmy, others think it evolved from an inside joke into something with a life of its own.
There's little agreement on what the Red Door is, or even if it exists, but that hasn't stopped people speculating, especially after a Reddit thread reawakened the myth.
'Has anyone ever heard of the Red Door?' a construction worker asked in a now-notorious Reddit post.
'It is supposedly located at the Clyde near the Court. I am working on one of the building sites and keep hearing about it, what is behind the door? Or is it just a lot of rubbish?'
The response was instant and unnerving. 'Used to hear about the red door when I was in school,' one user wrote. 'Thought it was just a rumour but f**k knows what really happened.'
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Then it got even stranger.
'My Grandad said about this and said if I ever went to Scotland never EVER mention it,' one reply claimed. 'He was a paratrooper but this always made him give the 1000 yard stare.
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"He was so pleased I live in Portsmouth. About as far away from, well, 'it' as possible. He would be distraught knowing it was being spoken about again.'
Another added, more bluntly: 'Leave it where it is fella. It's best for all.'
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One user seemed spooked just by the mention: 'Maaaaaaate, I can't believe you've brought this up. Let's hope it goes no further than this. I mind what happened last time, f**k that. It's honestly not worth the risk and you're better off not knowing! Safer that way.'
But not everyone was convinced. Some users quickly poked holes in the tale, questioning its authenticity. 'Is this some massive inside joke that the whole of Glasgow is in on or something?' asked one sceptic. Another dismissed it entirely: 'Absolute sh***e patter.'
Some even suggested more mundane explanations, with one theory claiming the Red Door is just a nickname for a pub on Admiral Street, or a reference to the venue at the Old Toll Bar.
Frustration mounted in the thread as others demanded real answers. 'So what is it is?' one person asked. 'All these comments are non-answers and there's nothing online. Is it just a Glasgow in-joke?'