Ex-Strathclyde Uni lecturer Bruce Durie exposes quirky side of Glasgow in new book

Jun 21 2012 Exclusive by Emma Smith

A NEW book which gives Glaswegians a quirky account of their city is being launched this month.

Not a Guide to Glasgow was written by former Strathclyde University lecturer Bruce Durie.

The book brings together the past and the present to offer a fresh perspective on the history of Glasgow.

It’s aimed at people who are moving to the city and Glaswegians who want to know some facts about the city they are from.

The little book is set to surprise even those who think they know the city.

Author Bruce Durie, who is known for his long-running BBC series, Digging Up Your Roots, said: “This is not a guide book. It’s full of quirky facts to help people discover Glasgow when they are in it.

“There is something for everyone in the book.

“It took me three months to write but I have been collecting the material for years.

“I lived in the West End for eight years and I really loved the city – the people were really interactive. I’m now in Fife and I teach at Edinburgh and Dundee University.

“The best thing about the book is that it can fit in your pocket and if you drop it, it isn’t going to break like a Kindle.

“You can carry it about with you and read it at your leisure. It should make you laugh and tell you something you didn’t already know about the city.

“The worst thing about the book was trying to get photographs.

“When World War Z was being filmed in Glasgow, we were determined to get a picture of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. But in the end we just managed to get pictures of the tanks.”

The book explores the city’s mysteries, ghosts, historical time lines, explorers and adventurers.

Durie, inset, delves deep into the city’s history to uncover fascinating and fun-filled facts, many of which
have never been published before.

The book has more than 100 photographs depicting Glasgow life thought the years .

DID YOU KNOW?..

■ Italian Scots mainly originated in the provinces of Lucca in north-west Tuscany and Frosinone, between Rome and Naples.

■ Franklin Street is named after the American statesman, philosopher, scientist and spy Benjamin Franklin.

■ In 1588 the plague hit Paisley and travel from Glasgow was forbidden.

■ The Theatre Royal is haunted by Nora, a young actress who got booed off the stage at an audition and took her own life in shame.