Few individuals have had more impact on Glasgow in the past 200 years than James Scott.
A successful calico-printer and oil pioneer, Scott was responsible for the formation of key streets in the city centre and also ensured the creation of Kelvingrove Park and Queen's Dock on the Clyde.
Thanks to the vast spaces Scott made available, modern Glasgow is today able to enjoy the priceless green oasis that is Kelvingrove and top attractions such as the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) and OVO Hydro.
Beginnings
Born in Glasgow in 1810, Scott definitely seemed to have the "Midas touch" when it came to pushing the city forward socially and economically.
At the young of 16, Scott was making strides as a partner at the calico printers of James Black and Co, which was ahead of any other firm in Scotland in being able to print multiple colours at the same time.
Being a deeply pious man, in 1833, Scott founded the Glasgow Church Building Society, which would help green light the construction of 20 new churches in the city, as well as contributing towards new stained glass windows being installed at Glasgow Cathedral.
Moving into the 1840s, Scott was developing a reputation as a visionary. He was heavily active in promoting the expansion of the railway network, to connect Glasgow with outlying towns and districts in order to promote further economic growth.
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Aiding Glasgow's expansion
With his pockets now fairly deep, Scott began buying up vast swathes of land suitable for development, including what would become Bothwell Street, Stobcross, and, on the south side of Clyde, land at Shieldhall next to Govan.
As a member of the town council from 1846, Scott was instrumental in many key decision made at a time when Glasgow was fast expanding beyond its old pre-Victorian borders.
He, along with others, led the inception of the water supply from Loch Katrine and oversaw the formation of numerous public parks, museums and galleries.
The formation of Kelvingrove Park is chiefly down to the efforts and generosity of James Scott. Frustrated by the apparent reluctance of the council in providing a new park for the developing West End, Scott purchased the land himself and set up the park for the greater good of the city.
In 1871, Scott, who was now in his 60s, invested in the new Scottish oil industry and created the Clippens Oil Company, which was soon producing upwards of 450,000 gallons of oil each month at its refinery near Johnstone. It would become the second largest oil company in 19th century Britain.
James Scott died in 1884, leaving behind a tremendous legacy and a considerable fortune to his wife Jane and their eight surviving children.
In later years, one of Scott's former associates had this to say about the Glasgow businessman and philanthropist: "Very few of the present generation can realize the value of Mr. Scott's services in connection with the municipal rule of the city.
"To him we are mainly indebted for the formation of the Kelvingrove Park; and it afforded him gratification during his later years to see the crowds of citizens enjoy the advantages of the recreation ground which he had done so much to secure. The great object, however, to which he devoted special attention was the improvement of the Clyde, so as to render the harbour of the Broomielaw suitable for the accommodation of the increasing shipping trade, and the commercial interests of Glasgow and its neighbourhood.
"He had great ideas regarding the varied industries of Glasgow, and its importance as a leading commercial centre; and these, when times of depression recurred, influenced his sanguine and far-seeing temperament, and enabled him to forecast future progress and returning prosperity."
- Further information on James Scott can be found in Glasgow's Blythswood by Graeme Smith, which is available here.
