Yoker
Encyclopedia
Yoker is a western district of Glasgow
, in Scotland
, UK
, lying on the northern bank of the Clyde
to the east of Clydebank
. It is located approximately 5 miles west of the City Centre. From the fourteenth century a ferry has linked Yoker with the burgh of Renfrew on the south bank. Although shipbuilding has declined, the Yarrows shipyard, now owned by BAE
as part of BAE Systems Surface Ships is still in operation on the Yoker/Scotstoun boundary.
The name Yoker is an Anglicisation
of the Scottish Gaelic Iochdar meaning a low lying place; the name was attested for the first time in 1505, and is one of a number of place-names in the area which suggest the longevity of the Gaelic language in the Clyde valley north of Glasgow (compare Dalmuir
, Drumchapel
, Drumry, Duntocher
, Scotstoun
, etc).
Motor vehicles and tramcars were also manufactured in Yoker, which is now an operations centre for the North Clyde Line
, part of Glasgow’s suburban rail network, the largest suburban rail network outside London.
From late 2006, there has been substantial investment in building residential property in the Yoker area; this is most likely due to the popularity of property in the banks of the Clyde
.
Transport links include Yoker railway station
offering services on the Argyle
and North Clyde
lines, the Renfrew Ferry
, and numerous bus routes.
Famous Rangers F.C.
footballer Sam English
also played for Yoker Athletic. Another famous Yoker Athletic son was Charlie Gallagher who went on to play for Glasgow Celtic.
In March 2008, BAE Systems announced to local residents that it began plans to demolish one of its derelict buildings at Esk Street. Demolition work is due to be completed late summer 2008.
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...
, UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, lying on the northern bank of the Clyde
River Clyde
The River Clyde is a major river in Scotland. It is the ninth longest river in the United Kingdom, and the third longest in Scotland. Flowing through the major city of Glasgow, it was an important river for shipbuilding and trade in the British Empire....
to the east of Clydebank
Clydebank
Clydebank is a town in West Dunbartonshire, in the Central Lowlands of Scotland. Situated on the north bank of the River Clyde, Clydebank borders Dumbarton, the town with which it was combined to form West Dunbartonshire, as well as the town of Milngavie in East Dunbartonshire, and the Yoker and...
. It is located approximately 5 miles west of the City Centre. From the fourteenth century a ferry has linked Yoker with the burgh of Renfrew on the south bank. Although shipbuilding has declined, the Yarrows shipyard, now owned by BAE
BAE Systems
BAE Systems plc is a British multinational defence, security and aerospace company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, that has global interests, particularly in North America through its subsidiary BAE Systems Inc. BAE is among the world's largest military contractors; in 2009 it was the...
as part of BAE Systems Surface Ships is still in operation on the Yoker/Scotstoun boundary.
The name Yoker is an Anglicisation
Anglicisation
Anglicisation, or anglicization , is the process of converting verbal or written elements of any other language into a form that is more comprehensible to an English speaker, or, more generally, of altering something such that it becomes English in form or character.The term most often refers to...
of the Scottish Gaelic Iochdar meaning a low lying place; the name was attested for the first time in 1505, and is one of a number of place-names in the area which suggest the longevity of the Gaelic language in the Clyde valley north of Glasgow (compare Dalmuir
Dalmuir
Dalmuir is an area on the western side of Clydebank, in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland.-Location:It is neighboured by the village of Old Kilpatrick, the Mountblow and Parkhall areas of Clydebank, as well as the town centre...
, Drumchapel
Drumchapel
Drumchapel , known to locals and residents as 'The Drum', is part of the city of Glasgow, Scotland, having been annexed from Dunbartonshire in 1938. It borders Bearsden to the east and Clydebank to the west . The area is bordered by Knightswood and Yoker in Glasgow. The name derives from the...
, Drumry, Duntocher
Duntocher
Duntocher is a village in Dunbartonshire, Scotland.Although it is a far older settlement and still considered a village in its own right, it is administratively part of nearby Clydebank along with the neighbouring village of Hardgate and is now part of the West Dunbartonshire local authority area...
, Scotstoun
Scotstoun
Scotstoun is a historic district of Glasgow, Scotland, west of Glasgow City Centre. It is bounded by Yoker and Knightswood to the west, Victoria Park, Broomhill and Whiteinch to the east, Jordanhill to the north and the River Clyde to the south...
, etc).
Motor vehicles and tramcars were also manufactured in Yoker, which is now an operations centre for the North Clyde Line
North Clyde Line
The North Clyde Line is a suburban railway in West Central Scotland. The route is operated by First ScotRail, on behalf of Transport Scotland...
, part of Glasgow’s suburban rail network, the largest suburban rail network outside London.
From late 2006, there has been substantial investment in building residential property in the Yoker area; this is most likely due to the popularity of property in the banks of the Clyde
River Clyde
The River Clyde is a major river in Scotland. It is the ninth longest river in the United Kingdom, and the third longest in Scotland. Flowing through the major city of Glasgow, it was an important river for shipbuilding and trade in the British Empire....
.
Transport links include Yoker railway station
Yoker railway station
Yoker railway station is an unstaffed station which serves the district of Yoker in Scotland. The station is in Clydebank in West Dunbartonshire, but it is very near the boundary with Glasgow....
offering services on the Argyle
Argyle Line
The Argyle Line is a suburban railway located in West Central Scotland. It connects the Lanarkshire towns of Lanark, Larkhall and Motherwell to West Dunbartonshire via central Glasgow using sub-surface running...
and North Clyde
North Clyde Line
The North Clyde Line is a suburban railway in West Central Scotland. The route is operated by First ScotRail, on behalf of Transport Scotland...
lines, the Renfrew Ferry
Renfrew Ferry
The Renfrew Ferry is a passenger ferry service linking the north and south banks of the River Clyde in Scotland. The service, operated by Clydelink without subsidy, crosses between Renfrew and Yoker, close to Glasgow City Centre and the last Clyde crossing this far upstream.-History:Originally the...
, and numerous bus routes.
Famous Rangers F.C.
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
footballer Sam English
Sam English
Samuel English was an Irish football player who played for several clubs, but is mainly remembered for his time with Rangers.-Early life:He was born in the hamlet of Crevolea in Aghadowey, Northern Ireland...
also played for Yoker Athletic. Another famous Yoker Athletic son was Charlie Gallagher who went on to play for Glasgow Celtic.
In March 2008, BAE Systems announced to local residents that it began plans to demolish one of its derelict buildings at Esk Street. Demolition work is due to be completed late summer 2008.