A beacon on the hill

Roystonhill Spire, formerly Townhead-Blochairn church built in 1866, is a landmark building maintained for the community by Rosemount Development Trust.
On our website you can read more about the history of the former Townhead-Blochairn Church, it’s stained glass by William Morris and Daniel Cottier, and sculptures by John Mossman.
Also find out about the public art and heritage project, where local people created 12 mosaic panels for the Spire Park.

Roystonhill Spire seen from Queens Park

Doors Open Day 2024

On Sunday 22nd September 2024 12-4pm, we are having an event for Doors Open Day. Andy Cuthbertson will take you on a journey through the History of the Garngad. Andy is Community Development Officer from RDT and has previously given historic tours for King Charles and delivered talks around the country. N.B. The talk on Garngad history is now completely...
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155th Anniversary

Birds-eye view - a photo taken from the Roystonhill Spire by our steeplejacks. Today we commemorate that on 8th June 1866 - 155 years ago - the church on Roystonhill opened. The view must have looked very different back then. What is now called Roystonhill Spire is the only remaining part of Townhead-Blochairn Parish Church, built in 1865-66 on Roystonhill...
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Merry Christmas

A Christmas look back at the interior of Townhead Blochairn church and its tree in 1974.   Photos taken by Catherine Houston, and her father Rev Freddie Houston can be seen in one pic. You can browse this website to see more of the stained glass and history of the church. In 2020 Rosemount Development Trust, who look after the...
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Colouring Book – free download

Rosemount Development Trust have distributed a small gift of a mosaic colouring book, coloured pencils and a selection box to children at the local primary schools and nurseries. The local history colouring book is now available for download for everyone - click the download link below: Designs by Jane McInally The "Royston Spire Park" colouring book features 12 original line...
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From Canal To Motorway

These great photos taken in 1966 during the M8 motorway construction show Roystonhill Spire and St.Joseph's Home, from Alexandra Parade. The M8 covered the route of the Monkland Canal. One canal bridge can still be seen   near the motorway, where Castle Street meets Royston Road. Thanks to The Glasgow Motorway Archive for sharing these pictures. https://www.glasgows-motorways.org.uk Visitors to the Spire...
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On this day in 1866

On this day in 1866... 154 years ago, the church on Roystonhill was opened. Here's a sneak preview of the history of Townhead Church from the forthcoming information boards commissioned by Rosemount Development Trust (and funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland and Rosemount Workspace) which will be sited in the Spire Park. A wee bit about the spire: Roystonhill...
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Spot The Spire

If you take a lockdown exercise in Glasgow Necropolis, then look out for the marking "J&G Mossman" on the base of many of the grave monuments. Mossman & Co were Glasgow's greatest Victorian-era sculptors, and also made sculpted stone heads for Townhead-Blochairn church - now the Roystonhill Spire. Some of the very weathered remains of the 'Mossman heads' can be...
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Earliest photo?

We think this might be the earliest photo of Roystonhill and the Spire - zoomed-in from an image of Glasgow Cathedral in 1893... 127 years ago! Do you know of any earlier pictures? Back then there was the Monkland Canal where the M8 motorway now runs, and the houses to the left of the spire may be Earlston Avenue, which...
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Where The Heart Is

For Valentine's Day... the story of Royston's rose "Where The Heart Is". Back in 1997 a group of local people got together and managed to save the historically-important landmark Spire on Roystonhill. In 2001 the Spire became the centrepiece of a project which included a competition by artist Graham Fagen for local children to name a rose for the area....
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Mosaic Workshop – February 2020

Last chance to attend a FREE MOSAIC WORKSHOPS FOR ADULTS... All welcome to come along on Tuesday 18th February or Wednesday 19th February 2020, next week to help complete the mosaic. Morning 9.30-11.45am or Afternoon 12.30-3pm Drop in for a short time or stay all day! Venue: Unit W15 Rosemount Workspace, Charles St https://www.rosemountbusinesspark.co.uk/ A public art and heritage project...
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History Project

In 2019 Rosemount Development Trust's local heritage project saw people from all ages and backgrounds getting together to look at the history (and pre-history) of the area. A series of ten workshops took place with local schools, a youth group, the 50+ Young at heart Club and at Rosemount Lifelong Learning. Three of Rosemount Development Trust's directors took part in...
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