TALK: The History of Rockvilla and the North Glasgow Canal corridor

National Theatre of Scotland, 125 Craighall Road, G4 9TL

National Theatre of Scotland named their new building Rockvilla, recognising the social heritage of this area, on the banks of the Forth and Clyde Canal. A fascinating talk about this North Glasgow canal corridor.

A local historian will share fascinating insights past and present into the Forth and Clyde canal and canal-side area of Rockvilla. This heritage talk will be presented with visuals, in of one of the National Theatre of Scotland�s new rehearsal rooms in the Company�s new facility.

The first documented use of the name Rockvilla was in an 1860 Ordnance Survey map, and it is likely that the name derives from the extensive quarrying industry that once existed in this area of Glasgow surrounding the canals. Several local buildings and establishments have borne the name Rockvilla, notably Rockvilla School (demolished in 1996) and Rockvilla Church, which still stands today on Saracen Street with its new name, Possilpark Parish Church and the wider area is referred to as Rockvilla Basin. When the canal first opened in 1790, there was sudden growth of industry with buildings being constructed on an unprecedented scale that had never been seen before. Port Dundas, Spiers Wharf and the area of Rockvilla were key to the growth of Glasgow�s becoming the second city of Great Britain. The National Theatre of Scotland now proudly takes its place, as part of a new creative industrial hub, alongside neighbours The Whisky Bond, Glasgow Sculpture Studios, Scottish Opera and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. A forthcoming National Theatre of Scotland participatory arts project, Submarine Time Machine based around the canal will be dredging up stories and mythologies from the local area and these will also be shared and integrated into exhibits at Rockvilla.

�

�