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Scotsman
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Search for Scotland's first 'radical' skatepark lost in the undergrowth under Glasgow's Kelvingrove Park
Skaters of the lost park unite! Sign up to our History and Heritage newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The search is on for Scotland's first ever skatepark, which today lies buried beneath one of the country's most cherished city spaces. Kelvin Wheelies opened in Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow, in May 1978, with its arrival considered a 'radical' addition to the cityscape as the skateboarding subculture that boomed in California got a foothold in Scotland. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Kelvin Wheelies skatepark brought the spirit of California to Glasgow in the late 1970s. | Contributed The park was extremely popular when it opened, with the entrance fee just 20p during the summer holidays. The location attracted skaters from all over the UK with its 'hauf pipe', bowls and slalom run. READ MORE: Legendary Livingston skatepark listed by heritage chiefs Now, archaeologists are to excavate and survey the old site to ensure it is recognised as part of the city's sporting heritage, with hopes that old skaters will come forward and share their insights of their time at Kelvin Wheelies. Jamie Blair, owner of Glasgow-based skateboarding shop Clan Skates, former member of the Kelvingrove skateboard team and former Scottish skateboard champion, said: 'When Kelvin Wheelies opened in 1978, skaters from all over the UK flocked to this radical new facility. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'A park team was formed and for the next few years, Glasgow was the dominant force in Scottish skateboarding. 'Sadly, a dip in skateboarding's popularity in the early 1980s and the construction of a rival skatepark in Livingston saw the decline of Kelvin Wheelies, with the main bowlriding area buried in time. I'm thrilled that through this project we have a chance to rediscover it.' The Society of Antiquaries Scotland is supporting the research project, which is being led by Dr Kenny Brophy of Glasgow University, with funding of £1,102. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Glasgow University archaeology students will work with volunteers on the excavation and survey work of the site. The excavation will start later this month to preserve the legacy of the skatepark and ensure 'a central part of modern Glasgow's sporting heritage' is recorded. Dr Kenny Brophy, senior lecturer in archaeology at Glasgow University, said: 'There is a very real danger that this skatepark, a place that was so special for hundreds of young people just decades ago, will become forgotten and lost. 'Contemporary archaeology allows us the opportunity to explore even fairly recent events and places to jog memories, combining traditional archaeological fieldwork techniques with interviews and documentary research. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'In the case of Kelvin Wheelies, this is a unique opportunity for a generation of skateboarders to relive the excitement of their youth and excavate their own memories of a place that was so special to them.' People are being urged to share memories, video and photographs of the original council-run Kelvin Wheelies, which will form part of an online archive for the skatepark and help with future fieldwork. Archaeologists at the University of Glasgow have also partnered with Archaeology Scotland's New Audiences programme to invite volunteers from asylum seeking and refugee communities to take part in the fieldwork. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The funding for the skatepark project comes in the latest round of awards from the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. A total of £17,478 has been granted to 11 projects researching an aspect of Scottish history or archaeology. These include 19th-century Scottish tea merchants and the global interactions in China, female emigration from Shetland and Skye to Australia during the Great Famine of 1845-51, and the dating of Viking ship stems from the Isle of Eigg. Dr Helen Spencer, head of research at the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, said: 'As a charity, we are especially grateful to our thousands of Fellows across the globe, whose subscription fees enable us to distribute these grants each year.'
BBC News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Scotland's first skatepark to be dug up by archaeologists
For five years it hosted the country's finest and keenest skateboarders, witnessing flips and tricks as a new subculture boomed in Scotland's first ever skatepark is to be resurrected by a team of archaeologists hoping to preserve the site's University of Glasgow team will work with volunteers and students to undertake excavation and survey work at the former Kelvin Wheelies park in Kelvingrove Kenny Brophy of the university said the project represented a chance to make sure the skatepark did not become forgotten or lost to history. Members of the public are being asked to share memories, video and photographs of the Kelvin Wheelies, helping to create an online skatepark - which at the time was considered state of the art - opened in May 1978 and featured bowls, a slalom run and a half-pipe, all with names like Jaws, Torpedo and cost £1.80 for three hours and the venue was initially a huge hit, hosting the 1978 Scottish Skateboard Championships - the country's first ever national skateboarding competition. However, concern about maintenance costs and safety led to the park's closure and then burial in 1983, just five years after opening. Jamie Blair, the owner of Glasgow-based skateboarding shop Clan Skates and a former member of the Kelvingrove skateboard team, said he was thrilled that skaters have a chance to rediscover it recalled: "When Kelvin Wheelies opened in 1978, skaters from all over the UK flocked to this radical new facility. "A park team was formed and for the next few years Glasgow was the dominant force in Scottish skateboarding. "Sadly, a dip in skateboarding's popularity in the early 1980s and the construction of a rival skatepark in Livingston saw a decline."Elements of the original site remain visible near the modern skatepark in Kelvingrove Park. However, there is currently no information available to explain the significance of the site to Kelvingrove visitors or users of the modern skatepark. 'A place that was so special to people' Dr Kenny Brophy, senior lecturer in archaeology at the University of Glasgow and project leader, called the revival a unique opportunity. He said: "There is a very real danger that this skatepark, a place that was so special for hundreds of young people just decades ago, will become forgotten and lost. "Contemporary archaeology allows us the opportunity to explore even fairly recent events and places to jog memories. "In the case of Kelvin Wheelies, this is a unique opportunity for a generation of skateboarders to relive the excitement of their youth and excavate their own memories of a place that was so special to them."The fieldwork will last from 25-29 August and is being supported by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, which provided a £1,102 grant. Skateboarding has risen again in popularity during the past 30 years, fuelled by popular computer sport made its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, and featured again at the Paris Olympics last year.
