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15 photographs of Glasgow in 1920s that show what life was like a century ago

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15 photographs of Glasgow in 1920s that show what life was like a century ago

It might not feel like it, but 2025 isn’t a million miles away.

With how quickly the past four and a half years have flown by, the midpoint of the 2020s will be here before we know it. It is safe to say that the decade so far hasn’t quite turned out how any of us expected.



Still, there is plenty of time for things to turn around. Whatever happens, it is unlikely we are in for a repeat of the Roaring Twenties of the 20th century.

Despite the name, though, the 1920s weren’t all about glamour and prosperity. Most people were just trying to get on with their lives as best they could, just we do today.

To show what life for Scots was really like 100 years ago, the Daily Record has delved into the archives and compiled some photographs taken in Glasgow and the surrounding area throughout the decade. Meanwhile, you can also check out our roundup of what Edinburgh looked like during the Roaring Twenties.


Continue reading for 15 photographs that depict Glasgow and everyday life in the city during the 1920s.

If you are interested in learning more about how Glasgow changed throughout the 20th century, the books Central Glasgow Through Time by Etta Dunn and Glasgow A History by Michael Meighan are available to buy from Amazon and Waterstones respectively.

Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond – sign up to the Scotland Now newsletter here.

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The entrance to the now-closed Harbour Tunnel in the Finnieston, which ran underneath the River Clyde, as seen in 1920.

(Image: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

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The Theatre Royal on Hope Street, which remains the oldest theatre in Glasgow and the longest-running in Scotland, captured in 1928.

(Image: Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)

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Glasgow University in Kelvin Park, photographed some time during the 1920s.

(Image: Daily Herald Archive/National Science & Media Museum/SSPL via Getty Images)

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Dumbarton Road during the 1920s, with Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Kelvin Hall seen on the left and right respectively.

(Image: Daily Herald Archive/National Science & Media Museum/SSPL via Getty Images)

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The Lion and Unicorn staircase, which originally formed part of the University of Glasgow’s Old College site on the city’s High Street.

(Image: Bill Fleming/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)

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The Lawrie Brothers of Glasgow, making dinghy boats from compressed wood fibre in the 1920s.

(Image: Mirrorpix via Getty Images)

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The Lord of the Isles paddle steamer, which was used for a popular service to the Kyles of Bute, photographed on the River Clyde some time during the 1920s.

(Image: Mirrorpix via Getty Images)

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Performers Jim Plant, Billy Danvers, Hetty King, Dave Willis and Randolph Sutton line up behind the stage at the King’s Theatre in 1922.

(Image: Daily Record/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)

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A group of students try to take the red gown off another student during the rectorial elections at the University of Glasgow in 1922.

(Image: Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)

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Morgan of Scotland beats two English defenders during the Home Championship match at Hampden Park in 1923, which would end in a 2-2 draw.

(Image: Allsport Hulton/Archive)

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A crowd of Scottish emigrants waits for a boat at a wharf in the city in 1923.

(Image: Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)

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Strike-breaking staff and volunteers at St Enoch Station during a General Strike in 1926.

(Image: SSPL/Getty Images)

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A bridge being built over the River Kelvin at the former Queen Margaret College Botanic Gardens in 1927.

(Image: Mirrorpix via Getty Images)

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A trolley ‘chair’ being used by residents to cross the River Cart to reach their homes in November 1927, as there was no bridge.

(Image: Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)

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The Tolbooth Steeple in 1929, just a few years after the rest of the Glasgow Tolbooth at Glasgow Cross was demolished in 1921.

(Image: Mirrorpix via Getty Images)

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