Rottenrow
Encyclopedia
Rottenrow is a famous street
in the city of Glasgow
in Scotland
. It is located at Townhead
, in the northern periphery of the city centre.
Rottenrow dates back to the city's medieval beginnings, and once connected the historic High Street
to the northern reaches of what is now the Cowcaddens
area. The origin of the street's name is subject to debate. Some believe that it is derived from the Gaelic phrase Rat-an-righ, which translates as "Road Of The Kings" - presumably in relation to its close proximity to Glasgow Cathedral. However "Rotten Row" is a common street name in towns and villages throughout England and Scotland. It describes a place where there was once a row of tumbledown cottages infested with rats (raton) and goes back to the 14th century or earlier.
The street became dissected and realigned by the exponential growth of Glasgow's city centre during the Industrial Revolution
, and then by the rapid development of the campus
of the University of Strathclyde
in the 1960s and 1970s.
Rottenrow is best known however as the address of the Glasgow Royal Maternity Hospital
(usually nicknamed by locals simply as "The Rottenrow"), founded in 1834, and became a world-renowned centre of excellence in gynecology for over 100 years.
However the Maternity Hospital building had become inadequate for modern requirements by the end of the 20th century, and had fallen into a state of serious disrepair. In 2001, the hospital moved into a state-of-the-art extension to nearby Glasgow Royal Infirmary
, and the building was purchased by the University of Strathclyde and subsequently demolished.
The site was redeveloped by the University into a public park designed by Gross Max landscape architects. Known as Rottenrow Gardens, the centrepiece of the park is George Wyllie
's 'Monument to Maternity', a sculpture depicting a giant metal nappy pin. The front and side portico
s, foundation and basement walls of the Maternity Hospital were preserved, and incorporated into the design of the park. Rottenrow Gardens was officially opened in 2004. Some elements of the park will be permanent, others being temporary in anticipation of future Strathclyde campus expansion and renewal.
Rottenrow also gives its name to a local hockey club started in 2009 by Strathclyde University graduates.
Street
A street is a paved public thoroughfare in a built environment. It is a public parcel of land adjoining buildings in an urban context, on which people may freely assemble, interact, and move about. A street can be as simple as a level patch of dirt, but is more often paved with a hard, durable...
in the city of Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. It is located at Townhead
Townhead
-Location:Townhead has no fixed boundaries. In ancient times it was the undeveloped area north of the cathedral and town. If we use this description then it is bordered to the west by the area of Cowcaddens, to the north by Sighthill and the east by Royston and south by Merchant City...
, in the northern periphery of the city centre.
Rottenrow dates back to the city's medieval beginnings, and once connected the historic High Street
High Street (Glasgow)
High Street in Glasgow, Scotland is the city's oldest and one of its most historically significant streets.Originally the city's main street in medieval times, it formed a direct north-south artery between the Cathedral of St...
to the northern reaches of what is now the Cowcaddens
Cowcaddens
Cowcaddens is an area of the city of Glasgow, Scotland. It is virtually in the city centre and is bordered by the areas of Garnethill to the south and Townhead to the east....
area. The origin of the street's name is subject to debate. Some believe that it is derived from the Gaelic phrase Rat-an-righ, which translates as "Road Of The Kings" - presumably in relation to its close proximity to Glasgow Cathedral. However "Rotten Row" is a common street name in towns and villages throughout England and Scotland. It describes a place where there was once a row of tumbledown cottages infested with rats (raton) and goes back to the 14th century or earlier.
The street became dissected and realigned by the exponential growth of Glasgow's city centre during the Industrial Revolution
Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution was a period from the 18th to the 19th century where major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and technology had a profound effect on the social, economic and cultural conditions of the times...
, and then by the rapid development of the campus
Campus
A campus is traditionally the land on which a college or university and related institutional buildings are situated. Usually a campus includes libraries, lecture halls, residence halls and park-like settings...
of the University of Strathclyde
University of Strathclyde
The University of Strathclyde , Glasgow, Scotland, is Glasgow's second university by age, founded in 1796, and receiving its Royal Charter in 1964 as the UK's first technological university...
in the 1960s and 1970s.
Rottenrow is best known however as the address of the Glasgow Royal Maternity Hospital
Glasgow Royal Maternity Hospital
Glasgow Royal Maternity Hospital in Glasgow, Scotland, was founded as the Glasgow Lying-in Hospital and Dispensary in 1834 in Greyfriars Wynd. It moved to St Andrews Square in 1841 then to Rottenrow in 1860...
(usually nicknamed by locals simply as "The Rottenrow"), founded in 1834, and became a world-renowned centre of excellence in gynecology for over 100 years.
However the Maternity Hospital building had become inadequate for modern requirements by the end of the 20th century, and had fallen into a state of serious disrepair. In 2001, the hospital moved into a state-of-the-art extension to nearby Glasgow Royal Infirmary
Glasgow Royal Infirmary
The Glasgow Royal Infirmary is a large teaching hospital, operated by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde,. With a capacity of around 1000 beds, the hospital campus covers an area of around 20 acres, situated on the north-eastern edge of the city centre of Glasgow, Scotland.-History:Designed by Robert...
, and the building was purchased by the University of Strathclyde and subsequently demolished.
The site was redeveloped by the University into a public park designed by Gross Max landscape architects. Known as Rottenrow Gardens, the centrepiece of the park is George Wyllie
George Wyllie
George Wyllie MBE is a Scottish artist who resides in Gourock. He worked as a customs officer before taking up art. He describes himself as a "scul?tor"....
's 'Monument to Maternity', a sculpture depicting a giant metal nappy pin. The front and side portico
Portico
A portico is a porch leading to the entrance of a building, or extended as a colonnade, with a roof structure over a walkway, supported by columns or enclosed by walls...
s, foundation and basement walls of the Maternity Hospital were preserved, and incorporated into the design of the park. Rottenrow Gardens was officially opened in 2004. Some elements of the park will be permanent, others being temporary in anticipation of future Strathclyde campus expansion and renewal.
Rottenrow also gives its name to a local hockey club started in 2009 by Strathclyde University graduates.