Latest news with #Ayrshire-born
The Herald Scotland
24-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Inside the rich history of Glasgow's Barras Market
In the late 18th century, traders often congregated in Glasgow's East End, hawking bric a brac and other sundries. The word 'Barras', short for wheelbarrows, refers to the carts traders would pull around the city and sell their wares from. The Barras' iconic gates have long stood watch over the shops below. (Image: Newsquest) The story as we know it begins with Ayrshire-born Maggie McIver, born in 1880 in Galston. She moved with her mother to Glasgow as a child, settling in Bridgeton. In 1902, she married fruit seller James McIver. In 1921, now in middle age, the couple founded The Barras Market on the corner of Kent and Moncur Streets, providing traders with a base from which to hawk goods, as well as a place to rent barrows. Five years later, weeks of heavy rain forced the McIvers to build an open shed to keep traders and customers dry. By 1928, the shed was enclosed on all sides. After James McIver died in 1930, Maggie ran the business for the next three decades. As historian Peter Mortimer told The Herald in 2021: 'Maggie was burdened with capital gains debts, nine children and a business to run. James dying put additional strain on her. 'But she was a resolute woman. She had the market, where it used to be said you could get 'anything from a needle to an anchor,' as well as the ballroom. Shoppers throng in front of stalls at The Barras in 1955. Of course, Mortimer is referring to the Barrowlands, the renowned music venue which has hosted everyone from David Bowie and The Proclaimers to Oasis and Snoop Dogg over the years. As the story goes, Maggie hosted an annual Christmas meal for the hawkers selling wares out of The Barras in the local St Mungo's Halls. In 1934, she discovered the venue was already booked, so she built her own - the Barrowlands Ballroom, which opened on Christmas Eve. A revamp in the 1960s after a disastrous fire saw the ballroom rebuilt. Twenty years later, the venue was fitted with its iconic neon sign, subsequently playing host to generations of music legends. Scottish icon Jon Fratelli told The Herald about the mystique the Barrowlands held for him as a young musician. In 2022, he said: 'I think we would probably all agree that when you're 19 years old the idea of playing the Barrowlands is the summit. 'Anybody that you saw that was playing in a stadium, somewhere huge, it didn't seem attainable, it was unreal. It was something that only happened on TV. But playing the [[Barrowlands]]. There was something more concrete and solid about that.' 'I think musicians and anybody creative in general, actually, have this streak of self-doubt. When you play the Barrowlands and people really start hearing your music, you retain that first rush if you're lucky enough to get it. It dampens down, but it never really goes away. It's still the top for me.' The Barrowlands has hosted scores of up and coming musicians. (Image: Archive) Of course, time waits for no one, and Maggie McIver, dubbed the 'Barras Queen', died in 1958. Her children assumed control of the McIver market empire and marched on into the second half of the 20th century. Actor Gavin Mitchell, aka Boaby the Barman from Still Game, grew up in Glasgow during the 1960s and 70s. He told The Herald in 2022 that The Barras is his favourite place in the city. Mitchell said: 'I've got a wee dog, so we walk a lot. One of my favourite things to do is wander down The Barras'. 'I still love popping by Danny's Hot Donuts. I think the markets are the heart and soul of Glasgow. It takes things back to who you are. I used to go to the market with my granny on a Saturday. I notice when I still go down there, the way people talk, it's heartfelt and it's real and I love that.' Fond childhood memories aside, by the late 1990s, footfall had declined and stalls were emptying as police began to crack down on unscrupulous traders. In 1997, a series of raids uncovered £8m in stolen and counterfeit goods at the market, and 28 people were arrested in one of the largest raids in Strathclyde Police history. This was eclipsed a year later in November 1998, when 43 people were picked up on suspicion of dealing in stolen or fake items. £14m in goods was recovered, including £12.4m of counterfeit CDs, £17,000 of stolen cigarettes, rip-off Armani and Ralph Lauren clothing. Hard times for The Barras in the early 2000s. At the time, Chief Superintendent Danny Donnelly said: ''By cracking down on the middlemen, we hope to reduce the opportunities for thieves and housebreakers to profit from the goods they have stolen. 'This particular operation was planned as part of the force-wide efforts against housebreakers who prey on private households and businesses. Our efforts against these criminals are continuous.'' Raids continued throughout the early 2000s, and in 2009, it was reported that Barras traders had appealed to the council for support amidst criminal gangs who had moved into the area. In 2016, police seized an estimated £30m in counterfeit goods, arresting 100 people in a series of raids dubbed 'Operation Salang.' Read more: Yet, a decade later, things are on the upswing. Despite concerns over the future of the venue, the early 2020s have seen a renaissance at the market, as young traders peddling sustainable fashion and trendy food options have set up shop among the stalls of older generations. From Hong Kong waffles and fresh pressed juice to record shops and vintage cowboy boots, The Barras has something for everyone. More than one hundred years after it was founded by the McIvers, the market continues to be a popular destination for local residents, students, and visitors from across the world. Let's see what the next hundred years hold.
Glasgow Times
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Biffy Clyro show 50 Cent how it's done Glasgow TRNSMT 2025
I couldn't help but compare the headline set to that of 50 Cent - both acts are legends in their own right and have 20+ years in the game. But Biffy blew Fiddy completely out of the water and the non-existent roof off of Glasgow Green. You could blame it on the home advantage, but the Ayrshire-born trio were just undeniably better. (Image: LESLEY MARTIN) READ MORE: LIVE Surprises at Saturday TRNSMT with secret set and Jake Bugg Where 50 Cent had hype men and a stop-start storyline of a show that was meant to cement his legacy, but fell a bit flat. Biffy just gave the crowd a bang for their buck blasting of the best of their back catalogue. And the crowd lapped up every riff and lyric, showing more energy in Biffy's opener than the rapper managed to squeeze out of them with his biggest hit, In Da Club. I've seen Biffy Clyro more times than I can remember - tonight's headline at TRNSMT 2025 was something special. The crowds have been baked in unrelenting heat and sunshine at the warmest ever year of the festival. However, Biffy turned the temperature up a further notch from the outset. Chants of 'Biffy, Biffy, Biffy f***g Clyro' and 'Mon the Biff' built up before they took to the stage. The band walked out to one of the biggest cheers of the day - frontman Simon Neil was decked out in a black kilt. The Captain opened the blistering set and announced the one thing the TRNSMT crowd hoped - the Biff were back. 'Let's hear you Glasgow' was met with easily the loudest sing-along of the weekend yet and proved that the Biff had never actually left. (Image: LESLEY MARTIN) READ MORE: I took £20 to TRNSMT 2025 and got less than I hoped for READ MORE: I asked the TRNSMT 2025 crowd for outfit advice - their responses were bold That Golden Rule continued the revisit to Only Revolutions as the band flexed their immense back catalogue. Simon gushed: 'Glasgow, we've missed you - I hope you're all ready for some serious singing tonight, in Costa Del Glasgow.' The stage presence and production are of top quality and only surpassed by the musicianship on display. Who's Got A Match set the crowd alight as Simon swung a light around his head maniacally, before Biblical was belted out at deafening, biblical, volume by the crowd. Rearrange brought the dynamic into a slower pace, but the sing-along continued, heralded by the band calling the crowd 'angels'. Wolves Of Winter dropped like an atomic bomb as red streamers flew into the crowd. Before Tiny Indoor Fireworks got just as good a reception and flowed into the new release A Little Love. The new tune is them at their bombastic best as Simon declared, 'Really, we wanna show you a shit ton of love.' Born On A Horse returned Biffy Clyro to their past albums and had the crowd singing guitar riffs back to them - once a staple of Scottish festivals but rare at this TRNSMT. 'This one goes out to all our fellow gingers," jokes red-haired bassist James before they kicked into Space. Then the inevitable happened - they got topless for Different People and they launched into Hunger In Your Haunt from the 2021 album The Myth Of The Happily Ever After. 'We've been excited about playing this show since we found out last year so thanks very much for being with us," admits Simon. Mountains was just another example of the band showing off the depth of their sound, and the hit turned the volume knob up to 11. Stingin' Belle was them at their bombarding best, and Simon howled like the last 20-odd years had taken no toll on his voice. A bagpiper appeared for the prog-rock build-up to finish the song as the band sweatily went off stage. Coming back out on his own, Simon started the encore with Machines, which was a beautiful moment as the crowd joined in with every word. Living Is A Problem Cos Everything Dies from the album Puzzle saw them be their playful best. Anf finale Many Of Horror saw fireworks fly into the East End sky - cementing yet another phenomenal Biffy show. They left the stage to a wall of feedback and the scream 'We are BIFFY F***N' CLYRO!' The best in the business. (Biff-ness).
Scottish Sun
18-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Scots billionaire calls for ministers to get paid ‘millions' in wage rise
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MINISTERS should be handed million-pound salaries in a bid to attract better leaders, Scotland's top entrepreneur has claimed. Sir Tom Hunter also slammed the SNP's record — insisting they must slash taxes to reverse 'managed decline' and save the 'lacklustre' economy. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Sign up 2 Sir Tom Hunter wants our leaders to earn top salaries to attract the best talent Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 2 John Swinney earns a fraction of the salary paid to Singapore's president The ex-Sports Division tycoon reckoned Scotland could become the Signapore of the UK through low-tax, pro-business policies. But he said that huge pay hikes were first needed to attract the top political talent to Holyrood. Sir Tom compared First Minister John Swinney's salary of £135,605 to the $2.2million earned by the wealthy Asian city-state's president Tharman Shanmugaratnam. In a apparent swipe at Cabinet ministers like Nats leader Mr Swinney and Health Secretary Neil Gray, Sir Tom added: 'We need to encourage better people into politics. "The hardest job in this country is running the country. 'Can we get the best people doing it? The second hardest job is running the NHS. "Can we get the best people doing this?' The First Minister is entitled to earn £182,438 a year but receives less due to a 16-year ministerial pay freeze — which he has partially lifted to hand colleagues £19,126 hikes. Asked it the best talent is running the country, Sir Tom — Scotland's first home-grown billionaire and one of its richest men — said: 'I would say we could do better.' The Ayrshire-born business boss also blasted the state of public services under the SNP. SNP balsted by opposition over MORE FERRY FIASCO delays Sir Tom said: 'Our education standards are falling, our health service is struggling, and we have a lacklustre economy.' He called on Nats to drastically cut taxes for higher earners and firms to 'welcome entrepreneurs and wealth creators' and boost jobs. A research paper for his Hunter Foundation pointed out how the 48 per cent top rate of income tax — imposed by former First Minister Humza Yousaf at Nats' December 2023 Budget — was exactly double Signapore's 24 per cent. But Sir Tom stopped short of saying Scotland should quit the UK. He said: 'I don't think the economic argument for independence is there yet. 'If it's independence, just more of the same, then the whole of Scotland will be poorer.' Last night Tory economy spokesman Murdo Fraser siezed on Sir Tom's 'utterly damning' takedown of the Conservative's rivals. He hit out: 'He says their policies have been anti-business and anti-growth, that they have ignored Scottish companies, and that Scots' incomes and essential services have been badly damaged as a result.' But Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said ministers welcomed the findings of Sir Tom's philanthropy body. She explained: 'There will be some areas where we will disagree. 'But I'm sure within this report — which I haven't had the opportunity to read in full as yet — there will be areas that we can agree on. 'What Sir Tom does raise is there is something inherently challenging in the system that Scotland finds itself in at the moment and we need to rise to that occasion.'
Glasgow Times
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow restaurants visited by beloved Two Doors Down star
The beloved star, who played Alan in the hit BBC sitcom Two Doors Down, has dined at multiple top eateries across the city. The Ayrshire-born lad is also known for appearing in several other TV programmes such as Scot Squad, World of Sport Wrestling, and Scotland's Greatest Escape. On top of that, he is also known for hosting a podcast, titled A Pint and Two Shots, alongside Stephen Purdon and Chris Toal. READ MORE: Two Doors Down stars reunited in Glasgow to support 'icon' READ MORE: Two Doors Down star pictured with famous pal at event Here are all the Glasgow food joints the well-known actor has visited over the years: Amalfi (Image: Instagram) READ MORE: Two Doors Down star praises 'five-star' meal during visit to Glasgow restaurant One of the Glasgow eateries, Grado, real name Graeme Stevely, has visited in the past is Amalfi on West Nile Street. The 36-year-old star dined at the city centre venue in December 2023. During it, the wrestler took to social media to share a short video of his experience at the Italian restaurant, which he praised as being 'five-star'. Celino's (Image: Instagram) READ MORE: Two Doors Down star spotted at popular Glasgow restaurant READ MORE: Two Doors Down star praises 'unreal' dish at popular Glasgow restaurant Another food spot the talented star has visited in the city is Celino's in Partick. The sitcom actor stopped by the Italian restaurant for a cup of coffee in March 2024. (Image: Instagram) It's not the first time Grado has visited the much-loved eatery in the West End, however. In August 2023, the funnyman dined at the venue and enjoyed a calamari as a starter and a tasty-looking plate of seafood paste. Seoul Korean BBQ READ MORE: 'Best scoff': Two Doors Down star raves about Glasgow restaurant Another eatery Grado has visited in Glasgow is Seoul Korean BBQ on Cambridge Street. The Scot Squad actor shared a snap of his experience at the authentic Korean eatery in the city centre on Instagram. In the post, the Stevenston-born actor claimed the restaurant was the "best scoff" he had in ages. Grado claimed: "Best scoff I've had in a long time. You need to try this." Gost (Image: Instagram) READ MORE: 'Monday club': Two Doors Down stars reunite at swanky Glasgow steak restaurant Another restaurant the professional wrestler has been spotted at is Gost on Bothwell Street in the city centre. Grado was pictured at the swanky steak restaurant alongside Jonathan Watson, who plays Colin in Two Doors Down. The pair were pictured at the plush venue with sports commentator Chick Young, Tam Cowan and Phil Differ. In the image, the group looked chuffed.
STV News
27-04-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Celtic's most decorated players as James Forrest now stands alone at top
Celtic clinched their 55th league title with a 5-0 win over Dundee United at Tannadice on Saturday. The triumph was veteran winger James Forrest's 26th major trophy with the Hoops in a glittering career at Parkhead. Since marking his debut with a goal as a fresh-faced teenager away back in 2009 he has played through a golden-era of success for the club. The 33-year-old came off the bench to help Brendan Rodgers' side wrap up their latest championship in what was his 13th league title. That puts him one ahead of legendary Lisbon Lion forward Bobby Lennox to stand alone as the most decorated in the clubs long history. Here, we look at the Hoops legends with the most trophy wins with the Parkhead club. SNS Group Forrest has now won 26 major honours at the Hoops. The winger has now won 13 league titles since making his Celtic debut in May 2010. Forrest can win his eighth Scottish Cup next month and also has six League Cup winners' medals to his name after being involved in a nine-in-a-row and quadruple treble run. His Parkhead career looked in doubt last January when a move away from the club was mooted, but he stayed around and got himself back in the team to play a big part in last season's title win. The 33-year-old could have had even more medals to his name if it wasn't for a series of injuries that meant he missed out on three final victories. SNS Group Lennox won 25 medals at Celtic and is also the club's second top scorer of all time. Forrest surpassed a fellow Ayrshire-born nine-in-a-row winning forward with this season's league title. Legendary Lisbon Lion Bobby Lennox was one of the team who brought the European Cup to Britain for the first time. He won the big one in 1967, 11 league titles, eight Scottish Cups and five League Cup winners' medals. After a brief spell in the United States, Lennox, now 81, returned to Celtic and won a league and cup double in 1980 in his final full season. He is also sandwiched between Jimmy McGrory and Henrik Larsson as the club's second top goal scorer. SNS Group At two years younger, McGregor could surpass Forrest in the coming years. Celtic captain Callum McGregor is not far behind long-term teammate Forrest. The 31-year-old, who has two years on the winger, is a good bet to surpass his medal haul in the coming years. The midfielder epitomises the winning mentality that has been instilled in the team during one of the club's golden periods. SNS Group The legendary captain has a statue outside Celtic Park. The Lisbon Lions captain endured some difficult years for Celtic after joining in 1957 before the arrival of Jock Stein saw them quickly become Scotland's dominant club and the best in Europe in 1967. He captained Celtic to another European Cup three after Lisbon in 1970 and hung up his boots in 1975, a year after leading Celtic to nine consecutive titles. McNeill, who has a statue outside Celtic Park, also won seven Scottish Cups and six League Cups. The late Scotland defender was not finished with the silverware though – he won eight more major trophies with Celtic during two spells as manager. SNS Group Brown captained Celtic to nine-in-a-row and a quadruple treble. McGregor's predecessor as captain drove Celtic forward for years after joining from Hibernian in 2007. Scott Brown joined from Hibernian for £4.5m and captained the Hoops to nine-in-a-row and a historic quadruple treble before departing for Aberdeen in 2021. In all, he won 10 titles and six winners' medals in both domestic cup competitions. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
