Glasgow Libraries, Information and Learning celebrates the centenary of this publication of photographs of Glasgow taken from the University Tower in 1905.

Glasgow in Panorama

'Glasgow in Panorama' - a unique album of eight photographs showing a fascinating view of the West End as it was 100 years ago. The photographs were taken on July 19, 1905 from the University Tower, one of the best vantage points in the area.  (This date was chosen quite deliberately because it was during the Glasgow Fair, the traditional workers' holiday.  This meant there would be very little smoke from the factories to obscure the view)

Two editions of the album were published;  the first in 1905 by Gowans and Gray Ltd. and the second in 1907, published under the auspices of The Glasgow Herald newspaper. In this copy, each of the pages is interleaved with an outline sketch of the view, providing a key to the prominent landmarks and buildings shown on each plate.  Both editions can be viewed in Archives and Special Collections at The Mitchell.

The photographs were taken by the well-known Glasgow firm of T. & R. Annan. This business was founded by Thomas Annan (1829-1887) in 1845, at a time when photography was still a relatively new art. 

More about Thomas Annan

In July 2005, to mark the centenary of this publication, Glasgow Libraries, Information and Learning took exactly the same photographic views from the University Tower viewpoint.  These can be seen below, alongside the original photographs.

	Glasgow from the University Tower, looking East North East, showing Kelvingrove Park on the right and Hillhead United Free Church in the middle foreground. Photographed by T. & R. Annan & Sons in 1905.
	Glasgow from the University Tower, looking East North East, showing Kelvingrove Park on the right and Glasgow University  in the foreground. Photographed by Glasgow Libraries, Information and Learning in 2005.

Glasgow from the University Tower, looking South South East, showing Kelvingrove Park and Kelvingrove Old Museum in the centre of the photograph. Photographed by T. & R. Annan & Sons in 1905.
Glasgow from the University Tower, looking South South East, showing Kelvingrove Park in the foreground and the 'Armadillo' on the middle right. Photographed by Glasgow Libraries, Information and Learning in 2005.

	Glasgow from the University Tower, looking West North West, showing the University Recreation Grounds at the centre with University Avenue on their right. Photographed by T. & R. Annan & Sons in 1905.
	Glasgow from the University Tower, looking West North West, with University buildings in the foreground. Photographed by Glasgow Libraries, Information and Learning in 2005.

Glasgow from the University Tower, looking South South West, showing Kelvingrove Park and the back of Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Photographed by T. & R. Annan & Sons in 1905.
Glasgow from the University Tower, looking South South West, showing Kelvingrove Park in the foreground and the back of Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in the middle of the photograph. Photographed by Glasgow Libraries, Information and Learning in 2005.

	Glasgow from the University Tower, looking North North West, with University Avenue and University Gardens in the foreground.  Photographed by T. & R. Annan & Sons in 1905.
	Glasgow from the University Tower, looking North North West, with  University buildings in the foreground and Hunterian Museum and University Library in the middle right of the photograph. Photographed by Glasgow Libraries, Information and Learning in 2005.

Glasgow from the University Tower, looking North North East, with Wellington U.F. Church in the foreground and Ann Street in the middle of the photograph. Photographed by T. & R. Annan & Sons in 1905.
Glasgow from the University Tower, looking North North East, with the University Reading Room and Wellington U.F. Church on University Avenue in the foreground. Photographed by Glasgow Libraries, Information and Learning in 2005.

	Glasgow from the University Tower, looking East South East, with Kelvingrove Park in the foreground, looking towards Park Terrace. Photographed by T. & R. Annan & Sons in 1905.
	Glasgow from the University Tower, looking East South East, with  Kelvingrove Park in the foreground, looking towards Park Terrace. Photographed by Glasgow Libraries, Information and Learning in 2005.

Glasgow from the University Tower, looking West South West, showing the River Kelvin and Regent Mills and Scotstoun Mills. Photographed by T. & R. Annan & Sons in 1905.
Glasgow from the University Tower, looking West South West, with  Kelvingrove Park in the foreground, the Kelvin Hall on the left and the Western Infirmary on the middle right of the photograph. Photographed by Glasgow Libraries, Information and Learning in 2005.