Brief History of Kings Park
Kings Park lies in Glasgow City, 1.25 miles southwest of Rutherglen. The park extends to 40 acres, representing part of the policies of Aikenhead House. It was given to the city of glasgow by house-building entrepreneur Sir John A. Mactaggart (1867 to 1956).
At the entrance to the walled garden is an unusual sundial, dated 1885 and its a copy of the one found in Newbattle Abbey(Midlothian). This was presented by the Earl of Home shortly after the park opened. The sundial is always a popular spot in the park and with good reason. As today's society is so 'wired' with computers, broadband, cellphones, we tend to still be impressed by the simple yet clever technology of days gone by.
The park includes many specimens of trees, together with a walled garden and popular walks within these idyllic acres.
King Park is located on an incline which overlooks Hampden Park stadium. The local golf course is known for being dug into a hillside 20 to 30 degrees steep in some places.
Aikenhead House
King's Park, for which the area is named features the landmark, Aikenhead House. It was built in 1806 by architect David Hamilton for Glasweigan Tory John Hamilton.
A historical account of growing up in and around Kings Park from 1910 to the present day will be made available here in due time. It is based on the recollections of a fellow FOKP member.
We are trying to collate more data to add to our history project for Kings Park. If you would like to be part of this project, please contact us for more information.
A more detailed account on the history of Aikenhead House can be found here.