CROSSMYLOOF ice rink in Glasgow was at one time the biggest ice-sports venue in Europe.
It had been opened in 1929 (an earlier rink at Crossmyloof had been opened in 1907) and enjoyed a distinguished history – it was a favourite with curlers and skaters during the week, and was also the home of Glasgow Dynamo Ice-Hockey Club – before being shut for major repairs in 1985.
It closed its doors for the final time in 1986, but on February 15, 1988, the derelict property suffered what the newspapers described as a “mystery blaze”. More than 40 firemen worked for two hours to bring the fire under control.
Bellshill Curling Club’s website relates this intriguing little story about the rink: “One year, a Christmas tree was placed in the centre of the ice that could be skated around. The tree could be lifted to allow ice hockey. Unfortunately, the hoist failed and the ice hockey had to be played around the tree.”
Our sister paper, the Evening Times, also featured the 1988 blaze. Beneath that report, incidentally, is another, that begins: “Glasgow has cancelled their bid for the 1996 Olympic Games.” Now, that would really have been a story.
l SCOTSTOUN showgrounds have played host to countless sports events over the decades.
The venue was developed by Glasgow Agricultural Society for such as the National Stallion show, dating back to 1860. They hosted air shows before the First World War and athletics has been staged for more than a century.
Today’s photograph, from the 1959 stallion show, shows entrants in the William Wallace Perpetual Memorial Cup, for fillies aged two years and under.
l McDONALDS was for decades one of the best-known stores in Buchanan Street, Glasgow. The store specialised in ladies’ fashions at first, as well as household linen.
McDonalds Ltd was acquired in April 1951 by House of Fraser Ltd and continued as its subsidiary until 1966 when it was merged with the neighbouring furnishing store of Wylie & Lochhead Ltd.
Today the premises house the Frasers store.
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