![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1_Bandstand_Alexander_Hamilton_Park_Stonehouse_Lanarkshire.jpg\")
A historic Glasgow bandstand has been restored to glory in Stonehouse after a \u00a3250,000 community effort(Image: Rosser1954, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)<\/p>\nA historic bandstand that once stood in Glasgow\u2019s Kelvingrove Park has been restored to glory in a scenic South Lanarkshire parkA historic Glasgow bandstand has been restored to glory in Stonehouse after a \u00a3250,000 community effort(Image: Rosser1954, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)<\/p>\n
A once-forgotten piece of Glasgow\u2019s heritage has been brought back to life in the rolling countryside of South Lanarkshire<\/a>.<\/p>\n Overlooking the lush Avon Water valley and framed by the towering remains of an old railway viaduct, the bandstand at Alexander Hamilton Memorial Park in Stonehouse<\/a> has been fully restored after a \u00a3250,000 community-led campaign.<\/p>\n Nestled in a dramatic natural amphitheatre, the ornate structure is now a proud centrepiece once again, and few know it once stood in the heart of Glasgow\u2019s<\/a> Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow Live<\/a> reports.<\/p>\n The intricately detailed bandstand was originally built for the 1911 Scottish Exhibition of Natural History, Art<\/a> and Industry, which drew nearly ten million visitors to Kelvingrove Park.<\/p>\n The exhibition included everything from boat trips on the River Kelvin to an aerial railway, a scale Highland village and now-controversial displays of people from Lapland and West Africa.<\/p>\n Following the exhibition, the bandstand was purchased by the Fourth District Council and relocated to Stonehouse, where it was officially opened in 1924. The park went on to become famous for another reason too, its enormous chute, said to have been the longest in Scotland.<\/p>\n Local historian<\/a> and Friends of Stonehouse Park committee member John Young, 58, has spent years researching the bandstand\u2019s remarkable story and leading the restoration efforts. \u201cIt\u2019s one of the iconic features of the village,\u201d said John. \u201cIt stands out. It\u2019s set in the Avon valley, overlooking the River Avon and the old viaduct.\u201d<\/p>\n Content cannot be displayed without consent<\/p>\n He added: \u201cFolks would come from all over Lanarkshire to come to the park, because not only did it have the bandstand, it had the longest chute in Scotland. Through the thirties, there were always four figures there at weekends during the summers. It must have been quite the sight in those days.\u201d<\/p>\n The restoration, which uncovered intricate ironwork long hidden beneath layers of old paint, has sparked a revival in the park’s fortunes.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was only when it was restored that we realised the detail in the metalwork,\u201d said John. \u201cThere are cherubs and a lion\u2019s head and all these other things we hadn\u2019t seen because they were buried under 100 coats of paint over 100 years. It looks outstanding.\u201d<\/p>\n Much of the funding came from windfarm-linked community benefit funds, and the bandstand finally reopened in May 2023. Although some work is still ongoing, including rendering at the base, the site has already begun hosting live music and events once more, often with large and enthusiastic crowds.<\/p>\n \u201cThere has been a revival in the park over the last ten years,\u201d said John. \u201cLike so many parks across Scotland, it was getting run down. There wasn\u2019t the money there from the council.\u201d<\/p>\n Now, Friends of Stonehouse Park runs all events in the park, with live performances returning to the bandstand \u2014 from gigs to community celebrations.<\/p>\n \u201cThere were a good few hundred at an event last week, and folk are already saying that it\u2019s amazing and that we should be doing more for it,\u201d John added. \u201cWhere it is at Stonehouse, it\u2019s in a natural amphitheatre. It\u2019s a great place to play music and to see music.\u201d<\/p>\n Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.<\/p>\n You’ll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.<\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1_Alexander_Hamilton_Memorial_Park_-_geographorguk_-_1801375.jpg\")
Once the pride of Kelvingrove Park, the bandstand now stands proudly in Stonehouse, overlooking the Avon Water valley.(Image: G Laird\u00a0\/\u00a0Alexander Hamilton Memorial Park)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_WACOMMUNITYQR3.jpg\")
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