A Glasgow Landmark

This is the Tolbooth Steeple, located close to the Trongate. It was designed by builder and mason, John Boyd in 1626. Boyd was a mason and builder, he was involved in the design and building of some of Glasgow's most important 17th Century buildings.

During the first few month of 1626, he worked with Patrick Colquhoun and demolished the old Tolbooth at Glasgow Cross. He was subsequently appointed as Master of Works on the construction of its replacement. Only the 126ft steeple remains standing with the main part of the building altered in 1814 by David Hamilton then it was demolished in 1921.

The steeple features some of the oldest sculpture in Glasgow, and includes a small shield carved with an early version of the Glasgow coat of arms, and thistle motifs which are similar to the others that were on the demolished facade.