The Gorbals in undoubtedly one of the best-known and most fascinating areas of Glasgow.
Situated just south of the River Clyde, for many it is the beating heart of the city and its past has undeniably shaped the Glasgow we know today. But the history of this iconic area is complex and rocky.
In the 19th century, Gorbals residents faced terrible living conditions. Housing had been built cheaply in the 1840s, and slum tenements were covered in soot and housed multiple people to one room.
By the early 20th century, the Gorbals was the most densely populated area in Glasgow as rural migrants and immigrants were attracted to the city by the new industries and employment opportunities. 90,000 people lived in the neighbourhood by 1930, and by the 1940s, conditions went from bad to appalling, with up to eight family members sharing a room and 30 residents sharing a toilet.
Up until the 1970s, photos depict the area as one of the poorest in Europe - a long-standing problem caused by industrialisation, overpopulation and resulting crime.
The Gorbals was once known for its notorious razor gangs, who ruled the streets of Glasgow in the early 20th century.
Subjected to several attempts at regeneration, the old Gorbals tenements were destroyed in the 1960s and high rises were put up in the their - most of which have since been demolished as well.
However, many of the most unforgettable photos of the Gorbals through the decades remains the images of children playing in crumbling courts and of a Gorbals that is far from people's own living memories.
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