Glasgow’s oldest buildings, Provands Lordship & Cathedral.

Provand’s Lordship has become one of the few reminders of Glasgow’s medieval past. In addition to Glasgow Cathedral it remains one of the few buildings from this time period that have survived Glasgow’s turbulent history.
Provand’s Lordship was built in 1471 as part of St Nicholas’s Hospital by Andrew Muirhead, the Bishop of Glasgow at the time. The building retains strong ties to the Bishop and the Bishop’s coat of arms is still visible on the side of the building. Provand’s Lordship was likely used to house clergy and other support staff for the Cathedral providing temporary housing.
The house later became occupied by ‘Lord of the Prebend of Barlanark’ and perhaps was shared with the priest of St. Nicholas Hospital and Chapel. The house later became known as ‘Lord of Provan’ and then ‘Provand’s Lordship’.
Most of the remaining medieval buildings that surrounded the Cathedral and hospital were demolished at the start of the 20th century. In 1978 the building was offered to the City Of Glasgow by the Provand’s Lordship Society.
Today the house is furnished with a collection of seventeenth-century Scottish furniture donated by Sir William Burrell.

This painting is inspired by the model of Provands Lordship by Stuart Fellowes. For more information on his models please see his website at Longline Studio