The Hielanman's Umbrella

Translated: - The Highlandman's Umbrella in Glasgow's Argyll Street. That is where regularly on Saturday nights, (early to mid 1900's) in the tradition of all those who had come from the Highlands and Islands to work in Glasgow spent a good deal of time under the 'Heilanman's Umbrella'. "It was a cold and windy place. but it was dry", As quoted by Archie Cameron in his book "Bare Feet and Tackety Boots". (A boyhood on Rhum). He said, "you could be sure of meeting someone you knew, and who could talk about the things of home, and who could talk, moreover, in the Gaelic. Although it was in truth the Heilanman's Umbrella, others also gathered there, especially the Doonhamers. Those were the folks from Dumfries, and they got their name, which is still used, because they always had the same answer when asked where they were going to spend their holiday. It was always: 'A'm gen doon hame.' Archie Cameron was a Junior Gardner for the last Laird of Castlemilk and he wrote about his time in Castlemilk at the end of his book... He sounded quite a character... Myself and my colleague, were lucky enough to have met him and interview him for our Castlemilk History Book...