The Barrowlands market (a.k.a. the Barras) is Glasgow's premier flea market (although the fleas are normally free, it's just everything else you have to pay for).

The History

The Barras market was founded in the early 1920s, by Margaret McIver (1880-1958). Margeret (then Morrison) began her career at twelve, tending a fruit barrow in Parkhead. In time, the money she accrued allowed her to open a small fruit shop in Bridgeton*. It was during this time that she met her future husband, James McIver, at the Glasgow fruit market. They were married in 1897*.

The couple then set up a business renting horses and carts to other traders, who hawked their wares in the wealthier areas of Glasgow. To compliment this activity, land was acquired in Moncur Street and static barrows were rented out to traders at the weekend, allowing them to display and sell the wares they had acquired during the week. Initially, the market was open to the elements, but in 1926 the barrows were covered over. By 1931 the market had been completely enclosed, allowing the next stage in the evolution of the Barras.

The Ballroom

Margaret McIver had for some years arranged dinner dances for her stallholders. The difficulties she sometimes had in booking venues pursuaded her to build her own dance hall (she was a wealthy wooman by then). The hall was built on top of the market building, and was opened in 1934 as the Barrowlands Ballroom. This was to become one of the premier dancehalls in Glasgow, with the resident band Billy McGregor and the Gaybirds* pulling in the punters for over two decades. At this time the ballroom and market were so famous that the neon sign in front of the ballroom was described in detail by Lord Haw Haw during his broadcasts* (the sign was rapidly removed after this).

Then in 1958, just after the death of Margaret McIver, the ballroom burnt down. The McIver family rebuilt it as a tribute, and it was reopened in 1960. The ballroom continues to thrive to this day as one of the most popular rock venues in Glasgow, both with the fans and the bands.

The market today

etc...

1958 - death and fire

78 - age at death

1880 - Born

1926 - covered over

1931 - completely enclosed

1934 - opening of ballroom

1960 - re-opening of ballroom