TheGlasgowStory 

Skip Navigation / Jump to Content

Featured Images

Doing the Washing!
Doing the Washing!

UCS Cartoon
UCS Cartoon

Calton Backcourt

Burrell Collection Photo Library

*Open in New Window
Calton Backcourt

A small drying green amid Calton backlands c 1900.

Backlands [from the traditional Scots word "land", for a tenement house] were houses erected in the spaces behind the buildings that lined the city's streets. They were often up to five storeys in height and built so close together that sunlight could not penetrate the maze of narrow wynds and closes that separated them and connected them with the streets. Most backlands were little more than overcrowded and insanitary slums, and the City Improvement Trust made their removal one of its key priorities.

Reference: 140.77.131

Reproduced with the permission of Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Museums

Keywords:
backlands, drying greens, laundry, long johns, overcrowding, slums, tenements, underwear, washing, washing lines



Quick Search


Photo Album

You have 0 images in your photo album.

View Photo Album

Log-In (Optional)

username:
password:
Not a user? Register now for FREE!

Other Options