Scottish fact of the day: Partick

THE area of Partick, on the north bank of the River Clyde, has a long history, with records suggesting that it has been in existence since around 1136, and at various points throughout history being known as Perdeyc, Perthic, Perthec and Partic.

Although strictly a village until the mid-1700s, the Kings of Strathclyde were known to have a residence in Partick. It was David I who first granted the lands of Perdyc to Glasgow in the 1130s.

The name is thought to derive from the Brythonic word ‘Peartoc’, meaning a bush or a thicket. This word was adapted into Scots Gaelic (which is still seen on some signs at Partick railway station) to give the modern ‘Pearraig’ or ‘Pàrtaig’, but it is generally assumed that ‘Partick’ comes from the Gaelic ‘aper dhu ec’, meaning the place at the confluence or mouth of the river.

Up until the mid-1880s, there was a drummer who beat his drum every day at 5am, to wake everyone up for work, and again at 9pm to signal the end of the day.

Incidentally, the first official international football match took place at the West of Scotland Cricket Club in Partick, in 1872, between Scotland and England. 4000 spectators turned up to witness a 0-0 draw.