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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Just want to express my congratulations to the Old Glasgow Club on the Lord Provost’s unveiling of their blue plaque commemorating both the final service in the much missed St Enoch’s Church, which was demolished in 1925, and the 125th anniversary of the founding of the club 🎉👍!

This is Glasgow’s Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren giving her speech at the start of the unveiling ceremony for the Old Glasgow Club plaque. The plaque is mounted on the south elevation of James Miller’s red sandstone Scottish Baronial entrance to the Glasgow Subway.

This is Glasgow’s Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren starting the unveiling of the Old Glasgow Club plaque which is still concealed by a draped cloth. The plaque is mounted on the south elevation of James Miller’s red sandstone Scottish Baronial entrance to the Glasgow Subway.

This is Glasgow’s Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren having unveiled the Old Glasgow Club plaque with the draped cloth now removed. The plaque is mounted on the south elevation of James Miller’s red sandstone Scottish Baronial entrance to the Glasgow Subway.

This is the blue plaque commemorating both the final service in the much missed St Enoch’s Church, which was demolished in 1925, and the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Old Glasgow Club.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

So folks, @glasgowheritage.bsky.social is looking for a new Finance Manager, details below👇👀! We’re a small and friendly team working at the heart of #Glasgow’s heritage. So if that appeals to you, please get in touch 😉👍! www.glasgowheritage.org.uk/vacancy-fina...

glasgowheritage.org.uk

Vacancy: Finance Manager - Glasgow City Heritage Trust

An exciting opportunity has become available for a Trainee Building Inspector to join our team. This new entry-level role will provide training and mentorship to someone starting out in their career w...

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: The Apple Store on Glasgow’s Buchanan Street. Where the cool retro slick International Style interior out of 2001: A Space Odyssey meets architect David Hamilton’s warm blonde sandstone enclosure of Georgian classical elegance 🥰!

This is a photograph of the St Vincent Street elevation of what was the Western Club on Glasgow’s Buchanan Street. It is now Glasgow’s Apple Store. Through the two arched windows you can see the cool retro slick International Style interior, which references the film 2001: A Space Odyssey, and how it contrasts with the warm blonde sandstone enclosure of Georgian classical elegance by architect David Hamilton.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: Working with sculptor Benno Schotz, architect Graham Henderson created this powerful granite door case with shield for the Bank of Scotland’s 235 Sauchiehall Street. I’m glad the banking hall is now up for sale as the unsightly detritus behind the gate can be removed 🤔!

Working with sculptor Benno Schotz, architect Graham Henderson created for the Bank of Scotland’s 235 Sauchiehall Street branch, this powerful interwar granite door case with a bronze shield set deep within a larger blonde sandstone arch. Note how all that is left of the columns around the arch are the bases just keeking out of the sandstone stonework above the granite and marble base. The banking hall is now up for sale so hopefully the detritus trapped behind the elegant cast iron gate can be removed.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

Here’s a wee update on my progress towards #LondonMarathon2025 to raise funds for the NSPCC. Having been training three nights last week, I did an enjoyable 11.3K run yesterday morning taking in Glasgow Green and the Clyde en route and got a PB in the 10K = go me🏃🎉😆👍! 1/2

This is an extract from my Strava page with Strava’s AI description of my latest run. The text is in black and red on a white background with a red bar below.

This is an extract from my Strava page showing the route I took for my latest run along with my distance, pace and the time I took.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: Its amazing that construction on the Tolbooth Steeple with its open crown spire started 400 years ago! It is tragic the remainder of the Tolbooth was demolished but at least this survives and soon it will no longer be stuck on a traffic island 🤔🥰!

This is Glasgow’s Tolbooth Steeple with its open crown spire and blue and gold clock faces was built between 1625-7 by John Boyd, Master of Works. Here it is seen against the backdrop of an early dawn sky with orange clouds against pale blue. The modern residential building behind the steeple was influenced by the Paris based Peruvian architect Henri Ciriani.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: The tower and domes of Glasgow’s City Chambers have a temple like feel when seen in the cool gloaming of a winter sunset 🌅🥰!

The stone tower and domes of Glasgow’s City Chambers seen in the cooling light of a winter sunset with a sky which segues from pale orange to cool blue.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: It is strange to think that the Robert Adamesque 52 Charlotte Street is the last surviving villa on what was arguably the most charming residential street in Glasgow. Sadly, this handsome Georgian relic is the only trace of that former splendour 😢!

This is the Robert Adamesque 52 Charlotte Street is the last surviving villa on what was arguably the most charming residential street in Glasgow. This handsomely proportioned pedimented Georgian sandstone relic is sadly the only trace of that former splendour and now looks over an open gap site in the city’s urban fabric.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: I can see why George Wylie described it as “…an obsolete symbol of Empire” but I’m totally intrigued by the detail and narrative on the Doulton Fountain on Glasgow Green. What is going on with the wee figures on top of the column behind ‘India’ 🤔?!

This is a detail from the vast terracotta Doulton Fountain originally erected for the Glasgow International Exhibition of 1888 but subsequently moved to Glasgow Green. It shows the ‘India’ sculptural grouping of an Indian couple symbolically representing Indian trades and virtues. In the foreground is St Mungo and the Glasgow Coat of Arms.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: I love the junction between architect William Leiper’s Venetian Gothic facade of 1889 and architect George Boswell’s 1938 SE range at Templeton Carpet Factory. Though stylistically different, both are virtuoso examples of polychromatic brickwork 🥰!

This is the corner junction between architect William Leiper’s Venetian Gothic facade of 1889 and architect George Boswell’s 1938 SE range at Templeton Carpet Factory overlooking Glasgow Green in Glasgow’s East End. Though stylistically different, both facades are virtuoso examples of polychromatic brickwork displaying the joy the designers and bricklayers have taken in the different colours and patterns of brickwork. Though predominantly red brick, yellow, blue and green bricks are found throughout the patterns giving it a rainbow like appearance in places.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 12/01/2025

As a #BoardingSchoolSurvivor, I’m running the #LondonMarathon2025 to raise funds for @NSPCC as I don’t want any child to experience what I went through. Therefore, in a wee progress update I’ve just done my longest ever run 🏃🎉😊👍! 1/3 strava.app.link/4NXaJDRi6Pb

strava.app.link

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: where Georgian meets Modernism = David Hamilton’s Nelson Monument of 1807 on Glasgow Green seen against the backdrop of RMJM’s Hutchesontown B flats of 1961. What a day…🥶🥰!

Georgian meets Modernism in Glasgow = David Hamilton’s Nelson Monument of 1807 on Glasgow Green seen against the backdrop of RMJM’s Hutchesontown B flats of 1961 across the frosty lawns of the green.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

I’m really proud of the new @GlasgowHeritage shopfront window which was done by the Design Practice BA(hons) students at City of Glasgow College & explores the theme of "The Greenest Building is the One That is Already Built". Want to know more👇👀 😊👍! www.glasgowheritage.org.uk/gchts-window...

This is the new Glasgow City Heritage Trust shopfront window display which was done by the Design Practice BA(hons) students at City of Glasgow College. Using colourful thermal imaging and wooden cut outs of Glasgow’s tenements the display explores the theme of "The Greenest Building is the One That is Already Built". The window is signed by the students so their work is acknowledged.

This is an oblique view of the new Glasgow City Heritage Trust shopfront window display which was done by the Design Practice BA(hons) students at City of Glasgow College. Using colourful thermal imaging and wooden cut outs of Glasgow’s tenements the display explores the theme of "The Greenest Building is the One That is Already Built". The window is signed by the students so their work is acknowledged.

This is a detail of the new Glasgow City Heritage Trust shopfront window display which was done by the Design Practice BA(hons) students at City of Glasgow College. Using colourful thermal imaging and wooden cut outs of Glasgow’s tenements the backlit display explores the theme of "The Greenest Building is the One That is Already Built". The window includes QR Codes so passers-by can find out more information about the window display and its subject matter.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: Spotted this delightful set of door handles at the corner entrance to William Leiper’s Sun Life Building at the corner of West George & Renfield Streets. The two putti are just the fantastic hint needed to set you up for the opulent space beyond 🥰!

This delightful set of brass door handles adorn the corner entrance to William Leiper’s Sun Life Building at the corner of West George & Renfield Streets in Glasgow’s city centre. The two putti are just the fantastic hint needed to set people up for the opulent space beyond.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: Architect John Baird II’s lavish classical plasterwork ceiling of 1876 glimpsed through the warm red lighting of the High Victorian stained glass set within architect David Hamilton’s pedimented tripartite window to Hutchesons’ Hospital on John Street 👇👀🥰!

This is architect John Baird II’s lavish classical plasterwork ceiling of 1876 glimpsed through the warm red lighting of the High Victorian stained glass set within architect David Hamilton’s earlier pedimented tripartite window to Hutchesons’ Hospital on Glasgow’s John Street.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: Happy 2025 to all! So… I was a little bit naughty in my speech to the Scottish Parliament before Christmas as I described Glasgow as #Scotland’s “only metropolis”. Cue gasps of astonishment! But… ladies & gents, I give you the evidence 👀👇😆😉👍!

This is the view down Hope Street looking towards Glasgow Central Station. It’s a sun warmed cliff of red and blonde sandstone crowned by Northern European Renaissance classicism of the huge clock tower above Grand Central Hotel. As it is mid winter the shadows are deep and long.

This is the view along Glasgow’s Gordon Street on a crisp winters day with a pale blue sky. In the distance you can see David Hamilton’s dome over GOMA echoed by the Sydney Mitchell’s dome over his Royal Bank of Scotland extension at the corner of Buchanan Street. You can also see John Honeyman’s Ca D’Oro with its elegant cast iron details. The street is full of pedestrians and taxis.

This is the view up Glasgow’s Renfrew Street from the corner of Gordon Street. The buildings are being washed by the warm winter sunshine. The street is full of buses and cars while a pedestrian with natty shoes is trying to cross the road.

Seen on a beautiful crisp winter’s day, this is view looking to the north up Glasgow’s Buchanan Street. While the street is in shadow the red and blonde sandstone buildings are being warmed by the sunshine. The elegant corner building with the dome is by Edinburgh architect Sydney Mitchell. The street is full of pedestrians looking for Christmas presents.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

Just wanted to thank Libby Brooks for talking to me about my concerns for the fragile state of #GlasgowHeritage given the city’s 850th anniversary. Also good to see contributions from Rory Olcayto, Cllr Ruairi Kelly and Anna Gibb too. Read all about it here 👀👇😉👍! www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

theguardian.com

‘Left to rot’: Glasgow’s crumbling heritage comes into focus for 850th anniversary

Pressure grows to do something about city centre’s decaying buildings and empty shops in ‘year of urgency’

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 24/12/2024

#MomentsOfBeauty from #Glasgow: it’s #ChristmasEve so I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas🎄🎅! This is the main stained glass window from Pollokshields Burgh Hall and the motto is ‘Do good while the Holly is green’ which seems rather appropriate for today 🥰😉👍!

This is the main stained glass window from Pollokshields Burgh Hall in Glasgow’s Southside. It was designed by stained glass artist Oscar Paterson. The motto is ‘Do good while the Holly is green’ and it shows a holly tree wrapped in red bunting seen through an arch against the backdrop of an idealised classical city. Above the arch is another garlanded wreath. The motto seems very appropriate for Christmas!

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 22/12/2024

As it’s #Sunday here’s a pen and ink sketch of a Norman church near #Scarbourgh that I drew en plein air while on holiday in the late 1990s. I would love to be able to locate the church as it was really charming…🧐!

This is a sepia pen and ink sketch of a Norman church near Scarbourgh that I drew en plein air while on holiday in the late 1990s.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 21/12/2024

Hey it’s #Caturday so wee Luna wants to say hello from her favourite place in the world 👋😹🤦‍♂️!

This is Luna my British Shorthair cat sitting in our kitchen sink which is Luna’s favourite place in the world. Luna has pale green grey eyes, a lilac silver grey face and paws and a cream body. She is very sweet and affectionate.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 20/12/2024

On Tuesday, as director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust I had the honour of speaking at the Scottish Parliament on behalf of Scotland’s CHTs for their 20th anniversary event. Many thanks to Gordon Macdonald MSP for hosting & Alison Turnbull of Historic Environment Scotland for her speech 😊! 1/3

This is Niall Murphy, the Director of Glasgow City Heritage Trusts, giving a speech in the Scottish Parliament for the 20th anniversary event celebrating the establishment of Scotland’s City Heritage Trusts. Niall is a middle aged white man wearing a purple velvet jacket, purple corduroy trousers, maroon brogue shoes, a lilac shirt and an orange knitted tie. He is standing behind a lectern giving the speech in the Garden Lobby at the base of the stairs to the Debating Chamber.

This is the Glasgow City Heritage Trusts at team of Erin Russo, dressed in red, Gemma Wild in lime green, Taylor Cross-Whiter with silver shoes and Niall Murphy in purple, standing on the steps to the Debating Chamber in the Scottish Parliament. The team look very stylish because they are representing Glasgow.

These are the Directors of Scotland’s City Heritage Trusts surrounding Gordon Macdonald MSP while standing on the steps to the Debating Chamber in the Scottish Parliament.

Holding the Knight Map are the Trustees and team of Glasgow City Heritage Trusts including Paul Sweeney MSP, Melanie Hay, Euan Ross, Tommy McGlynn, Gemma Wild, Taylor Cross-Whiter, Erin Russo and Niall Murphy standing on the steps to the Debating Chamber in the Scottish Parliament while at the 20th anniversary of the setting up of Scotland’s City Heritage Trusts.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

#PlanningStuff in #Glasgow: Good street furniture vs bad street furniture on St Vincent Street. It’s great to see the installation of a new defibrillator but it would be nice if these redundant now vandalised telephone boxes cluttering up our public realm could be removed…🤔?!

This is a new defibrillator which has been installed on St Vincent Street in Glasgow’s city centre.

These are two redundant and vandalised telephone boxes cluttering up the public realm on St Vincent Street in Glasgow’s city centre. Sadly the door to the telephone boxes has been wrenched off its hinges and the glass base panel kicked in leaving glass all over the pavement. The glass panes are covered in a mix of graffiti and adverts of dubious provenance.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: For #Glasgow850 Glasgow City Heritage Trust are assisting the Tron Theatre with a grant to help transform the gothic vault to the Tron Steeple with a mural, light fitting and film working with schools to tell the history of one of Glasgow’s oldest buildings 🥰! 1/2

Seen against a pale blue early morning sky this is Glasgow’s Tron Steeple in Trongate with the sunrise glinting off it. The pale ochre rendered tower dates from the early 17th century but may contain medieval fabric.

This is the Gothic vault to Glasgow’s Tron Steeple in Trongate. This pedestrian passage way was inserted through the tower by Glasgow’s City Architect John Carrick in the 1850s. The glass door is from the 1999 intervention by RMJM. This space one contained the Tron - the weighing machine for the city’s market.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: I love Glasgow’s dramatic deep winter shadows. Obviously the oriel bay on the Scottish Baronial Victoria Buildings is pretty impressive anyway but every time I see its shadow I think of the Genie emerging from the magic lamp in Aladdin…👇👀😂😉👍!

Seen on a crisp winter morning, this is the Scottish Baronial Victoria Buildings on the corner of West Regent and Renfield Streets in Glasgow’s city centre. Though partially demolished, the building was designed by Edinburgh architect James Bell and built between 1858-60. The oriel bay window at the corner is particularly impressive especially for its deep shadow over the blonde sandstone facade.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 16/12/2024

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: Caught in the early morning light this is James Miller’s warehouse for James Woodhouse & Son at 28-36 Renfield Street. Its elegant ornamental details were carved by Joseph Armitage. Dating from 1928, this is a great example of American Classicism 🥰!

Caught in the early morning light against a pale blue misty sky and with its architecture subtly picked out by the architectural lighting, this is James Miller’s warehouse for James Woodhouse & Son at 28-36 Renfield Street. Its elegant ornamental details were carved in the pale sandstone by Joseph Armitage. Dating from 1928, this is a great example of American interwar Classicism in Glasgow’s city centre and is taken from precedents by the likes of Warren & Wetmore, architects for New York’s Grand Central Station.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: The versatility of Sir John James Burnet, able to turn his hand from Selfridges and the extension to the British Museum all the way to the more modest scale of The Tolbooth pub at Glasgow Cross with its frosted glass windows lit up in the mist 🥰!

This is Sir John James Burnet’s diminutive Scottish Baronial ‘The Tolbooth’ pub at Glasgow Cross with its delicately patterned frosted glass windows all lit up against the red painted arches in the early morning mist.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: The new alignment of Brunswick Lane showcases James Sellars’ beautiful Free Renaissance warehouse of 1885 at 137 Trongate. Sadly it’s been a #BuildingAtRisk since 1996. The delicate pattern of the cast iron balustrade to the parapet is a delight 🥰!

This photograph of the new Brunswick Lane shows how the alignment of the new brick and glass buildings is carefully arranged to frame James Sellars’ beautiful 137 Trongate. This Free Renaissance warehouse of 1885 now acts to close the view down the lane. Sadly the blonde sandstone warehouse has been on Scotland’s Building at Risk Register since 1996. The delicate pattern of Sellars’ cast iron balustrade to the parapet, which is probably by Walter Macfarlane’s Saracen Foundry, is a delight.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: I managed to charm my way beyond Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s unusual doorcase into the Glasgow Society of Lady Artists club on Blythswood Square. So here’s Mackintosh’s telephone booth and George Walton’s fireplace with its rather wonderful symbolic Medusa keystone 🥰!

Set into a blonde sandstone arch, this is Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s quirky gloss black Glasgow Style meets Classical doorcase to the Glasgow Society of Lady Artists club on Blythswood Square in Glasgow’s Blythswood District. I think the curious vesica piscis over the door is intended as a symbol to define what lies beyond as female space.

This is Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s black painted gridded telephone booth in the entrance hall of the Glasgow Society of Lady Artists club.

This is George Walton’s huge stone inglenook fireplace, with its rather wonderful Medusa keystone, which has pride of place in what would have been the gallery space at the rear of the Blythswood Square townhouse. The symbolic use of Medusa again tells us that this is a space for women.

This is a detail of George Walton’s rather wonderful symbolic Medusa keystone, to his huge stone inglenook fire place which has pride of place in what would have been the gallery space at the rear of the Blythswood Square townhouse.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: The Teacher HQ of 1875 is a pleasure for how the architect, James Boucher, delights in botanical motifs as though the building is a garden. Look at the console brackets where this tiny creature, emerging from a shell, is spewing out grapes 👀👇🥰!

Caught in the early morning sunlight, this is the Teacher Building at 14-18 St Enoch Place, Glasgow. Built in 1875, it was designed by architect James Boucher who was obsessed with botanical motifs so handles the blonde sandstone facade, with its recently reinstated gold painted brattish lettering, as though it were a stylised garden. The result is a controlled Italianate design with some delightful ornamental detail.

Caught in the early morning sunlight, this is the console bracketed doorcase to the Teacher Building at 14-18 St Enoch Place, Glasgow. Built in 1875, it was designed by architect James Boucher who was obsessed with botanical motifs so handles the blonde sandstone facade as though it were a stylised garden. The result is a controlled Italianate design with some delightful ornamental detail such as the delicate floral capitals either side of the entrance.

This is one of the console brackets to the doorcase of the Teacher Building at 14-18 St Enoch Place, Glasgow. Built in 1875, it was designed by architect James Boucher who was obsessed with botanical motifs so handles the blonde sandstone facade as though it were a stylised garden. The result is a controlled Italianate design with some intricate if restless ornamental detail. The richly carved console brackets are a particular delight.

This is a side view of one of the console brackets to the doorcase of the Teacher Building at 14-18 St Enoch Place, Glasgow. Built in 1875, it was designed by architect James Boucher who was obsessed with botanical motifs so handles the blonde sandstone facade as though it were a stylised garden. The result is a controlled Italianate design with some intricate if restless ornamental detail. The richly carved console brackets are a particular delight. If you look closely you can see a tiny creature, with big fox like ears, emerging from a shell and spewing out a bunch of grapes - perhaps a reference to the alcohol his clients were producing?

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: A pleasure to see the progress on the restoration work underway in Laurieston House - arguably the most ornate Georgian townhouse in the UK - which contains exceptionally fine plasterwork by Francisco Bernasconi who decorated Windsor Castle 👀👇😮🥰!

This is a photograph of some of the restoration work underway in Laurieston House - arguably the most ornate Georgian townhouse in the UK - which contains exceptionally fine plasterwork by Francisco Bernasconi who decorated Windsor Castle. The delicate and very patriotic Greek Revival interior is influenced by the excavations at Pompeii and Herculenium.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

Hey it’s #Caturday and this affectionate pair of naughty reprobates aka big Skyla and loopy Luna, otherwise known as the ‘Dirty Snowballs’, are now one year old = happy birthday to my young cat friends 😺😽🎉🥳🎂🎈!!!

These are my two British Shorthair cats, Skyla and Luna who are sitting on a grey furry cat bed having been looking out of the window before turning to look at the camera. They have pale lilac eyes, lilac grey faces, paws and tails and cream bodies. Because of their appearance they are affectionately known as the ‘Dirty Snowballs’

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: It’s #IronworkThursday so here’s a patriotic cast iron screen from a 1930s classical bank shopfront on Skirving Street in Shawlands. It caught my eye because the thistles are so beefy they’re like a pineapple crossed with Batfink 👇👀🍍🦇😂👍!

Set within a black Nero granite frame, this is a patriotic cast iron screen securing a window on a 1930s classical bank shopfront on Skirving Street in Glasgow’s Shawlands neighbourhood. The screen caught my eye because of the three thistle motifs it contains. The thistles are so beefy and their leaves so prickly and wing like, they look like a pineapple crossed with Batfink.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: this is the Commercial Bank of Scotland on the Gallowgate, an #ArtDeco gem opposite the meat market hence the appearance of a bucranium, a classical device representing an ox killed in religious sacrifice and then displayed on a temple wall 🤔!

This is an image of the corner clock tower on the Commercial Bank of Scotland on the Gallowgate, in Glasgow. This black and grey marble, granite and aluminium clad Art Deco gem was designed by James McCallum, Master of Works for the bank in 1936. As it is opposite the meat market, within the colourful motifs on the tower he includes a black and gold bucranium, a classical device representing an ox killed in religious sacrifice and then displayed on a temple wall. Below this is the colourful coat of arms for the bank.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: Sculptor Archibald Dawson’s keystone of Mary teaching the infant Jesus under the Holy Spirit which sits over the central arch of the triple arched portal to architect Jack Coia’s ‘A’ listed St Anne’s Church of 1931-3 at 17-19 Whitevale Street in Dennistoun 🥰!

This is a photograph of Sculptor Archibald Dawson’s keystone of Mary teaching the infant Jesus under the Holy Spirit which sits over the central arch of the triple arched portal to architect Jack Coia’s red brick ‘A’ listed St Anne’s Church of 1931-3 at 17-19 Whitevale Street in Dennistoun. Jack Coia’s deployment of various brick types and techniques is quite superb. There is a lot contemporary architects could learn from this.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: Popped in to see Sir John James Burnet’s Elder Park Library of 1903 which has had a £4m external and internal refurbishment and does it look the business 👀👇😮! The baroque rooms are wonderful and the new community kitchen overlooking the park is chefs kiss 😘 🥰!

This is one of Sir John James Burnet’s baroque reading rooms in Elder Park Library which has had a £4m refit. Elder Park can be seen through the enormous bay window. The new furniture is very funky modern and contemporary.

This is one of Sir John James Burnet’s baroque reading rooms in Elder Park Library which has had a £4m refit. The colourful new furniture is very funky modern and contemporary and appropriately for an area focused on ship building the new interiors pick out cheerful nautical motifs such as waves, container ships and life preservers.

This is Sir John James Burnet’s main baroque reading room in Elder Park Library which has had a £4m refit. The interior is bright and fresh while new furniture is very funky modern and contemporary. It is an appealing and attractive space to read.

This is the new community kitchen which is tucked into the western bay window of Sir John James Burnet’s Elder Park Library which has had a £4m refit. Elder Park can be seen through the enormous bay window behind the kitchen’s island counter. The varnished floorboards and white surfaces are very serviceable. The spiral staircase leads up to the librarian’s office which cleverly overlooks the reading rooms.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

Did you know that the Monument to Walter Scott in George Square was the first thing to be stone cleaned in #Glasgow? So it’s good to see it not draped in Christmas lights this year as thanks to the early stone cleaning technique the fluting on the column is now very friable and easily damaged 👀👇🤔!

This is the Winterfest in Glasgow’s George Square with lots of brightly multicoloured lights and decorations covering the rides. The exception is the Monument to Walter Scott in the middle of George Square. Back in the 1970s the blonde sandstone monument was the first thing to be stone cleaned in Glasgow. Its renewed appearance set the trend for the rest of the city. Unfortunately, the early stone cleaning technique used has left the stone very friable particularly the delicate fluting on the column which is easily damaged. Therefore, it’s good to see it not draped in Christmas lights this year as this annual event caused a lot of unintended damage to the stone column. It’s more respectful especially as the monument is almost two centuries old.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: With thanks to Claire McDade I had a fascinating tour of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow including this delightful dragon detail adding character to Sir John James Burnet’s magnificent fireplace in their main hall 🥰!

This is Sir John James Burnet’s delightful dragon detail adding character to his magnificent fireplace in the main hall of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow at 232 - 242 St Vincent Street, Glasgow.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: A view along Granville Street past architect James Sellars’ superb facade for what is now the Mitchell Library taking in the Mossman’s ‘Literature’ sculptural group. Even the elegant tenement facade behind adds to the neoclassical mise-en-scène 👀🥰!

This is a view looking north along Granville Street in Glasgow’s Park District, past architect James Sellars’ superb blonde sandstone facade of 1877 for what is now the Mitchell Library but was once St Andrew’s Hall. It takes in the Mossman’s ‘Literature’ sculptural group with Homer caught passionately delivering a talk while Dante is crouched deep in thought by his side. Sellars design for the Walter Macfarlane & Co cast iron lamp standards is equally superb.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

I was admiring these very retro cool 1970s tiles in #Glasgow Central Station when I spotted this plaque all about the Alston Street Theatre which occupied this site on Argyle Street in Grahamston between 1764 & 1780. It was installed in 1990 as part of the Glasgow Theatres Trail 👀👇🤔🥰!

These rather retro cool 1970s geometric tiles can be found around the escalators connecting the Glasgow Central Low Level platforms with the Heilanman’s Umbrella entrance to Glasgow Central Station. They are a real period piece.

This is the plaque about the Alston Street Theatre which occupied this site on Argyle Street in Grahamston between 1764 & 1780. It was installed in as part of the Glasgow European City of Culture year in 1990 as part of the Glasgow Theatres Trail.

These rather retro cool 1970s raku fired glazed tiles can be found near the escalators connecting the Glasgow Central Low Level platforms with the Heilanman’s Umbrella entrance to Glasgow Central Station. They are a real period piece.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: Roderick Dhu & James Fitz-James, from Sir Walter Scott’s ‘The Lady of the Lake’, sit over the entrance to the Wright & Greig Ltd building which later became United Distillers. They look like they are dancing a jig over the head of a passer-by 🥰!

Carved by sculptor Richard Ferris, Roderick Dhu & James Fitz-James, from Sir Walter Scott’s poem ‘The Lady of the Lake’, sit over the entrance to the Wright & Greig Ltd building which later became United Distillers. The red sandstone building was designed by architect James Chalmers and built between 1898-1900. It is on Glasgow’s Waterloo Street. The two statues look like they are dancing a jig over the head of a passer-by.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: looking up on Sauchiehall Street to see Minerva, the Roman goddess of crafts and commerce keeking out from the sun warmed tympanum of David Barclay’s huge Cumming & Smith Warehouse, one of the city’s finest facades, now part of the Savoy Centre 🥰!

Looking up to see Minerva, the Roman goddess of crafts and commerce keeking out from the sun warmed red sandstone tympanum of David Barclay’s huge Cumming & Smith Warehouse, one of the city’s finest facades, now part of the Savoy Centre on Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: this is the centennial year of the Glasgow Cenotaph so this evening I’m very much looking forward to talking to the AHSS about Sir John James Burnet’s elegant and subtly detailed design and how it relates to George Square and the City Chambers 🥰!

Taken at night, this is the granite pylon, cenotaph and the palm frond (with the word PAX for peace) which adorns the lid over the top of the vast ceremonial sarcophagus at the heart of Sir John James Burnet’s Glasgow Cenotaph.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

Talking of sketches I have donated this pen & ink sketch of architect W G Rowan’s tower for Nithsdale Lodge in Pollokshields, #Glasgow to the Glasgow Institute of Architects to help raise funds for the Architects Benevolent Society. It’s a worthy cause so I hope it goes to a good home🤞😊👍!

Drawn in blue ink this is a pen & ink sketch I drew of architect William Gardner Rowan’s tower for Nithsdale Lodge in Pollokshields, Glasgow. It is a major Southside of Glasgow landmark and one of the city’s most elegant church towers.

Drawn in blue ink this is the framed pen & ink sketch I drew of architect William Gardner Rowan’s tower for Nithsdale Lodge in Pollokshields, Glasgow. It is being donated to the Glasgow Institute of Architects to help raise funds for the Architects Benevolent Society.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

Stumbled across a lost sketchbook in which I recorded a 1998 trip to Yorkshire including Castle Howard 👀👇! I was into sepia ink at the time and these were all drawn en plein air while noting down my thoughts. I think I need to get my mojo back on the #Sketching front 🤔🤷‍♂️!

These are some the sketches I made on a trip to Castle Howard in 1998. They are freehand sketches in sepia ink on a heavy cream paper. They show some of the key architectural moments at Castle Howard.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: This unusual floating anthemion / palmette ornament combined with an acanthus on the Evening Citizen building in St Vincent Place caught my eye because it’s almost antler like. This was amongst the very first red sandstone buildings in the city 👀🥰!

This unusual floating anthemion / palmette ornament combined with an acanthus is on the Evening Citizen building in Glasgow’s St Vincent Place. It is carved from red sandstone

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

Back in July I committed to doing the #LondonMarathon2025 as part of team #NSPCC So, in a progress update, having not run before, I’ve just completed #CouchTo5K 🏃‍♂️🤩🎉!!! Still got a bit to go but I’m enjoying it and I’m keen to keep training and building my fitness 1/2

This is my graduation page for Couch to 5K. It shows a golden cup and confetti.

This is me, Niall Murphy, having successfully completed my last run of Couch to 5K. I’m a follically challenged middle aged white man with a neatly trimmed white beard, silver metal glasses, and blue eyes. I’m wearing a grey running top which is damp with perspiration.

This are my grey, bright green and blue trainers which are splattered with mud.

This is a screen grab of my Strava time for my final run. It may be a personal best but I’ve no idea how good it is!

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

Hey it’s #Caturday so my small friend Luna just wants to wish everyone a good morning from #Glasgow 🌞😺👋!

This is my British Shorthair kitten Luna who is eleven months old. Luna has a lilac grey face and paws an a cream body. She has pale lilac green eyes. Luna is sitting in a fluffy grey cat bed.

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Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: Fantastic quality of light in George Street yesterday making for a quintessential Glasgow scene with the domes of the City Chambers and St George’s Tron in the distance. The warm glow of the sunlight on the red sandstone is just chef’s kiss🧑‍🍳😘🥰!

This is the view looking west along George Street in Glasgow with the domes of the City Chambers and St George’s Tron in the distance. The warm glow of the sunlight on the red sandstone combined with the dark winter shadows against a deep blue sky is quite beautiful.

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