Glasgow Gangs
Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland, is home to numerous gangs spread throughout its region. These Glasgow gangs are found in areas such as North, East, and South ends and sides of the city. Although Scotland is part of the United Kingdom, the Scots often view themselves as distinct from those in London and the rest of England.
Unlike the streets of London, Glasgow’s neighborhoods, or “hoods,” are primarily composed of terraced houses, which are referred to as row houses in the United States. Notable exceptions include major housing estates, known in Scotland as “schemes,” such as the Sighthill Estate, Royston Estate, Wyndford, Yokerburn in Yoker, Castlemilk of South Glasgow, and areas in East Glasgow like Easterhouse and Calton.
The city’s population is predominantly white, but it includes 10% of South Asian and East Asian groups, such as the Chinese, who typically reside in inner-city areas like South Glasgow. The Black and Afro-Caribbean community represents about 5% of the population, with many residing in North Glasgow. Historically, many of the gangs in Glasgow have been composed of white individuals, although there have also been a few gangs that have hailed from the minority communities.
Map of Glasgow Gangs
*The Above Map Was Not Created by KultureVulturez.com
Streets of North Glasgow
North Glasgow is home to a number of Glasgow hoods, many of which have significant minority populations, comprising about 10-20%. A notable part of North Glasgow’s history is the former Sighthill Estate, where ten massive tower blocks once stood. Built in the 1960s, this estate was divided into two sections, Pinkston to the south and Fountainwell to the north, and it was home to thousands of residents before being demolished during the late 2000s.
Before Sighthill became a temporary housing location for refugees and asylum seekers, by the mid-1980s, it had gained a reputation as an area plagued by crime, and drug abuse, especially after heroin hit Glasgow in the 1980s. Possilpark, often referred to as Posso, was once an area thriving but met with significant decline in the 1970s following the closure of local businesses. Located around Saracen Street, the area is home to housing estates and terraced houses, known as row houses in the United States.
Similarly, other North Glasgow neighborhoods, like Springburn, Royston and Germiston estates, or Maryhill and the Wyndford estate had developed a notorious reputations within the streets of Glasgow. Numerous neighborhoods of Glasgow’s North Side faced poverty, drugs, and crime, especially by the 1970s, 1980s, and into the 1990s when communities painted Glasgow has a rough city.
Streets of South Glasgow
South Glasgow is diverse and home to various communities. Kinning Park, for example, has Asian and African populations, with many estates or councils in Cessnock, Kingston, and Plantation as “KP.” Then there is the Gorbals, which has undergone a transformation from being one of Europe’s most notorious slums, where around 40,000 people used to live.
Known historically for its diverse population, including black, Jewish, Asian, and Muslim communities since the 1800s, the Gorbals struggled with a rough image into the 1970s. Today, it stands as a completely rebuilt neighborhood, showcasing a citywide trend of gentrifying and rebuilding old neighborhoods that reputations.
Similarly, the past issues of gang activity around Pollokshields’ Maxwell Road and the notoriously streets of areas like Govan, Pollok, and Castlemilk have also seen significant changes. While some challenges remain, particularly in parts of Pollok and Castlemilk, which host South Glasgow’s largest housing estates, there has been much improvement.
Streets of the East End
The East End of Glasgow has long been known for its infamous streets. Home to neighborhoods like Calton, which had a history of prostitution, drugs, and the presence of the Calton Tongs, one of the city’s oldest gangs. While some areas still face problems, neighborhoods like Dennistoun have experienced noticeable gentrification. Meanwhile, Barrowfield’s legacy of gang activity persists in local memory, and Easterhouse, a housing estate developed in the 1950s, continues to have a tough reputation as home to gangs like the Skinheeds, Torran Toi, and Aggro.
The overall landscape of Glasgow has shifted significantly from its past during the 70s, 80s, and 90s, with the city as a whole benefiting from urban development and revitalization efforts. The emergence of Scottish drill rap music over the last six years has also left its mark on the streets of Glasgow, influencing and reflecting the evolving identity of these neighborhoods.
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