Pollok Country Park
Pollok Country Park is a large country park located in Pollok, south Glasgow. Until recently it was the largest urban green space in Europe.
The park was originally part of
the Old Pollok Estate, which was home to the Maxwell family
for over 700 years. In 1966 Mrs Anne Maxwell Macdonald
gifted the estate, including Pollok House, to Glasgow City
Council with the condition that it remained a public park.
The park also contains the
Burrell Collection, a purpose built building designed to
hold the large eclectic antique and art collection of Sir
William Burrell who donated the collection to the City of
Glasgow on his death. Another feature of interest is the
award-winning herd of Highland Cattle. This herd is the
most accessible of this species for the majority of Scots.
In 2004, three mountain biking routes were opened by
Olympic cyclist Chris Hoy. Strathclyde Police's mounted and
dog-handling divisions are based in the park.
In 1954 it also became home to Pollokshaws Bowling Club,
the land donated by Sir John Maxwell Stirling-Maxwell. The
club, an important part of the local community moved across
Pollokshaws Road to celebrate its centenary.