What Glasgow's Subway system may lack in stations and lines spread out across the whole city it certainly makes up for in charm, thanks to its retro feel and 'shoogly' trains.
The love we feel for the world's third-oldest underground metro system was summed up perfectly by Glasgow 3D artist Steven Bracki, who designed a Subway-themed bar to pay it the ultimate homage.
But what few Glaswegians will know is that taking a journey underground, in days gone by, was the equivalent to venturing into 'Hell' thanks to the secret work of a celebrated city architect.
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That's because the architect of the original entrance to St Enoch Subway Station carved a series of devil masks above it, to create what could be described as Glasgow's 'Hellmouth' - one that thousands no doubt passed through unawares.
The discovery of the fascinating carvings was made by none others than Glasgow's very own roving architectural Indiana Jones in Niall Murphy, Deputy Director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust.
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The masks were the work of architect James Miller, who designed the beautiful ornate two-storey red sandstone building (that now houses a coffee shop) for the Glasgow District Subway back in 1896.
Niall Murphy believed that the devil masks were done by Miller, who he notes was also working at the same time for the Subway's rivals the Caledonian Railway on the Glasgow Central Railway, as a joke.
And it seems Miller was indeed a bit of a wind-up merchant, having also decided to commission a portrait of himself and have it plastered across all 18 pillasters of the Hielanman's Umbrella.
A real Glasgow character it seems! Have a look for the devil masks next time you are in St Enoch Square.
Article first published on November 17, 2020.
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