The modern name derives from the ancient CumbricPeartoc (as in the modern Welsh word perth, meaning "bush or thicket").[9]
This was adopted into Scottish Gaelic as Peart(h)aig, giving modern Gaelic Pearraig or Partaig (the latter is used on signs at Partick railway station). Older anglicised forms include Perdyc and Perthick. Partick, of old Perdyec, from the Gaelic aper dhu ec, meaning the place at the confluence or mouth of the dark river.[10]
Although Partick remained a village until the middle of the 18th century, it is an ancient place. The Kings of Strathclyde had a residence there, and in 1136 David I (1124–53) granted the lands of Perdyc to the see of Glasgow. The Bishops of Glasgow had a country seat in Partick. It was later the site of Partick Castle, a country home of George Hutcheson (demolished 1836). The burgh, which had its headquarters at Partick Burgh Hall, was annexed by Glasgow in 1912.[11]
Areas
It is historically divided into three social areas; south of Dumbarton Road, north of Dumbarton Road and the Partick Hill grand villas. Being within the sphere of influence of the University of Glasgow and neighbouring Glasgow's salubrious "West End" it has a high student population. Traditional industries for the area were shipbuilding and the huge Meadowside Granary (recently demolished to make way for the new Glasgow Harbour residential development) employed many residents also.[12] The main street in Partick, Dumbarton Road, has a number of services for residents to use.
Community
Partick Burgh Hall is a venue (much like a community centre) located within Partick. It regularly holds community events and is owned and managed by Culture & Sport Glasgow (part of Glasgow City Council). The hall was originally built in 1872 and has multiple rooms. The hall is staffed in order to accommodate events and to handle security. Private events are also held in the hall.[13]
Partick Community Council is an organization which exists in the area to deal with issues within the community. It is the oldest community group in Partick and consists of around twenty elected members. The boundary of this council runs from Byres Road to Crow Road and from the River Clyde to Highburgh Road. The council is funded by Glasgow City Council by way of an annual grant.[14]
Examples of activities of the Community Council include:[14]
The Partick interchange was redeveloped in 2012 due to its immense potential as a top-class interchange not only between Rail, Bus and Subway but also as the main interchange station between the Argyle and North Clyde rail lines.
Religion
St Simon's RC Church, Partick Bridge Street
There is an old Quaker burial ground, the 'Quakers Graveyard', situated at the bottom of Keith Street. Now a visitors' attraction the graveyard was given over to the city of Glasgow. It was last used in 1857. Purdon Street, which runs parallel with Keith Street, was named after John Purdon, a prominent Quaker who lived in Partick in the 17th century. His wife is buried in the graveyard.[18]
Partick's Catholic community is served by St Peter's church situated in Hyndland Street.[19] St Simon's church, located in Bridge Street, was built in 1858 and is the third oldest Catholic church in Glasgow.[20] An arson attack in 2021 left it a ruin with only the external walls remaining.[21] The arsonist, Ryan Haggerty, was sentenced for five years and three months in October 2022.[22]