Crusty,
I claim fame as one of those born at the Rottenrow. I did not know that the ultra scanner was invented there until a few years ago when I used one to 'see' one of my own kids still in the womb. A more grisly fact is that the Rottenrow was thee pioneer of safe ceasarean birth at the start of the 20th century. This was because many Glasgow mothers were so afflicted by poverty and rickets-maleformed pelvis that normal birth was impossible. Doctors and families (if they were allowed a say) were often faced with choosing between the death of the mother or child (or both if the religious had their way). The expertise in safe ceasarean delivery built up at Rottenrow saved countless lives thereafter. BBC Scotland TV did an excellent documentary on the demolition several months ago. The demolition was one of the most complex ever undertaken because of the range of building materials and methods used over decades of expansion and adaptation of the old buildings.