The Hidden Glasgow Forums

by **Ally Doll** » Sat Dec 10, 2005 4:45 pm

As these tiled closes are often behind security entry doors these days, I think they are a good "hidden" project. It would be nice to get a good collection of these from across the city, as there are some real gems out there.

Would love it if anyone who does leafleting or has access to nice closes could add what they see around!

I'd like to offer up a wee photo from outside my own flat door to kick this off.

(apologies for the mini size, my camera got nicked so this is off my phone!)

by **McShad** » Sat Dec 10, 2005 5:34 pm

If I remember, I'll take a snap or two of my own close and the original stain glass windows that remain

by **ladylabobo** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 3:46 pm

excuse my ignorance but what is a "Wally Close"? Where does the name come from?

by **Schiehallion** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 4:36 pm

A wally close is a posh tiled close - often tiled just up to the first floor.

The term wally must refer to the kind of china the tiles are made of - similarily a wally dug sits on the mantlepiece.

by **McShad** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 4:13 pm

Some wally close pictures

The tiled wall and cast iron banister

The close towards the low back door (I have to stoop to go out it_

The original stain glass window (same on each landing)

The stain glass windows each have missing panes, but most of it is there

by **Ally Doll** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 4:32 pm

Ooooh, nice!

by **crusty_bint** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 4:35 pm

Schiehallion wrote:A wally close is a posh tiled close - often tiled just up to the first floor.

A wally close is specifically a close tiled all the way up to the top floor ...btw :wink:

Nice close McShad... got a rough date for the tenement?

by **onyirtodd** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 4:36 pm

McShad wrote:Some wally close pictures

The stain glass windows each have missing panes, but most of it is there

Thanks McShad.

How about a (very) rough idea where the close is(?)

by **McShad** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 5:27 pm

It's quite an old tenement... could be turn of the century or earlier... its on the 1914 evaluation rolls

by **crusty_bint** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 5:38 pm

You can check on RCAHMS (think its the HLMAP facility) and that'll tell you exactly when it was built and if it's listed etc, sometimes a bit of history and photo's if you're lucky.

by **McShad** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 6:12 pm

whitsat?

by **crusty_bint** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 6:15 pm

google it...

by **Apollo** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 6:19 pm

Anyone have any info on Wally Close Awards made by the Evening Times?

I spotted a well weathered plaque with such an award over a close in Dennistoun recently, but it's condition meant a pic was useless.

I haven't been able to dig up anything on the web, wally unfortunately seems to be one of those word that pulls up loads of unrelated guff.

by **Schiehallion** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 8:56 pm

crusty_bint wrote:
Schiehallion wrote:A wally close is a posh tiled close - often tiled just up to the first floor.

A wally close is specifically a close tiled all the way up to the top floor ...btw

I didn't know that. Where is that stated?

by **crusty_bint** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 9:01 pm

I've heard it stated countless times throughout my life and seen it written in countless publications. Thie RIAS Tenement Handbook is the only one I can think of off hand...

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