Glasgow is full of places that witnessed horrific events in previous centuries, and we walk past them every day without giving it a second thought.
From Townhead to Glasgow Green, there are spots all over the city that served as the place of execution for untold numbers of condemned men and women.
READ MORE: The hidden Saltmarket tunnel that transported criminals to the hangman's noose
Here are just a few of them;
Duke Street executions
Next time you’re passing the Ladywell multi-storey wedged between the High Street and Duke Street, spare a thought for the numerous souls executed at the old Duke Street Prison.
The notorious city centre jail was the site of many a Glasgow execution between 1850 and 1950. A dozen people were executed here in the 20th century alone, including Susan Newll, the last woman to be executed in Scotland. Newell was hanged in 1923 after been found guilty of strangling a paper boy.
Duke Street Prison was demolished in 1958, with only a small portion of the prison's old boundary wall having survived.
Tron tortures
Those found guilty of committing crimes in 18th century Glasgow that were not serious enough for either jail or a death sentence, could face an excruciating trip to the Tron.
In those days, there was a public weigh beam situated at Glasgow Cross, which also doubled as a pillory to torture would-be thieves in the bustling area.
Archive evidence tells us that criminals would have their ears and other facial parts barbarically nailed to the “Trone”. Others would even have their lugs cut off completely.
Glasgow Cross
Public execution was also commonplace at Glasgow Cross. Across from the Tron, there were stocks and a platform for public hangings at the Tolbooth Steeple, where untold numbers of thieves and murderers were brutally dealt with. The gallows, which, as you might have guessed, faced the Gallowgate, were used until the early 19th century.
Heads and other body parts were even exhibited here on spikes. Just lovely . . .
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Glasgow Green
There’s a spot at Glasgow Green that belies the serenity of the setting.
Flagstones at Jocelyn Square in front of the McLennan Arch inform us that this was the site of public executions in the city until 1865.
From 1815 onwards, a total of 67 men and four women were hanged at the Glasgow Green site, which was once known as Jail Square.
The first executions at the spot were in 1814 and over the years 67 men and four women were hanged there.
The last person to be hanged here was Dr Edward William Pritchard in 1865. Nicknamed ‘the Human Crocodile’, Pritchard was convicted for poisoning his wife and mother-in-law with arsenic so he could elope with his young lover.
Castle Yard
The Castle Yard at Bishop’s Castle was briefly used as the city’s main public execution site.
A dozen people are listed as having been executed in the 1780s at Castle Yard where the Royal Infirmary now stands.
They include convicted housebreakers, brothers James and William Brodie, murderer David Steven and housebreaker and thief Elizabeth Paul.
Townhead Martyrs
If you’re coming off the M8 via Junction 15 at Townhead, bear in mind that you’re passing almost directly over the execution spot and approximate burial place of three covenanters known as the Townhead Martyrs.
In 1684, James Nisbet, James Lawson and Alexander Wood were all executed at a spot known as the Howgate where there was a public gallows for a time.
A memorial, the Townhead Martyrs' Memorial, can be found fixed to the boundary wall of Glasgow Evangelical Church at Cathedral Square.
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