Provanmill is a district in the Scottish city of Glasgow. It lies to the north east of the city centre. In the mid-19th century it was a small hamlet with a grain mill, blacksmith's, cartwright's and hostelry.[1] As Glasgow expanded, it became part of the city. Since the 1950s, the area became a major area of deprivation, with chronic housing and drug-related crime problems, although in the early 21st century the image of Provanmill and its surrounding areas is improving. Blackhill, one of the most notorious housing estates in the area, was demolished in 1990 to make way for the M80 Stepps bypass.

Provanmill
Gasholders at Provanmill, 2013
Provanmill is located in Glasgow council area
Provanmill
Provanmill
Location within Glasgow
OS grid referenceNS626671
Council area
Lieutenancy area
  • Glasgow
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townGLASGOW
Postcode districtG33 1
Dialling code0141
PoliceScotland
FireScottish
AmbulanceScottish
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament
List of places
UK
Scotland
Glasgow
55°52′41″N 4°11′42″W / 55.878°N 4.195°W / 55.878; -4.195

Provanmill and Blackhill were known for being majority Irish Catholic and still to this day the demographics show that the areas, as well as nearby Royston (previously known as the Garngad), remain predominantly Catholic[2] and still feature Irish republican marches annually.[citation needed] The area was also the home of infamous Glasgow gangster Arthur Thompson (a.k.a. "The Glasgow Godfather").[3]

Provanmill's most famous landmark is the iconic twin gasometers of the now largely disused Provan Gas Works, which have become a portal into the city for motorists arriving on the adjacent M8 and M80 motorways.[4][5]

References

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  1. ^ MacDonald, Hugh (1856). Rambles Round Glasgow (2nd ed.). Glasgow: John Smith. pp. 418–419.
  2. ^ "Scotland's Census 2011 – Table KS209SCb". scotlandscensus.gov.uk. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  3. ^ "Glasgow crime stories: Arthur Thompson who ruled the city's underworld for more than 30 years". Glasgow Times. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  4. ^ Rebecca Gray (21 November 2012). "What now for city's Provan gas towers?". Evening Times. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  5. ^ "Provan gas holders need a creative solution for their future". Glasgow Times. 6 April 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
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