Historical facts

Òran Mór, meaning the 'great melody of life' or 'big song', is a cultural centre and meeting place in the heart of Glasgow's West End.
On the 13th of February 1857 (around the same time as Madelaine Smith was poisoning her lover), a meeting took place at 20 Kew Terrace, the home of John Blackie Snr, noted publisher and writer (A Short Life of Burns). Blackie had envisaged that a major residential development would soon take place west of Kelvinbridge and that these new residents would need a place for their spiritual well-being. At this meeting, with several other leading members of the Free Church in Glasgow, it was agreed that a new place of worship must be built. Soon after, the lands at the junction of Byres and Great Western Road were secured at a cost of 8/- per square yard. On the 4th September 1862, the publisher John Blackie Snr (who was the buildings main sponsor) laid the foundation stone and the work of building the church finally began.

The building itself is geometric with a tall campanile tower with pyramid spire. The spire of the church is described as an Italian Gothic Pyramid and is said to be the first to show a markedly foreign influence in Glasgow. The tower itself is a reflection of the original scheme as designed by Charles Wilson. Charles Wilson's design was described as beautiful and classical, but proved a little too rich for the Church. Instead they employed the talents of J. J. Stevenson, who offered the cheaper quote.

The main body of the church contains slim, cast iron columns that elegantly reach and create an arcade capped by beautiful but simple arches. Ornamenting these arches is a series of rather stern looking heads.

How to get to Òran Mór

Underground

The nearest Underground station is Hillhead. When leaving the station head northeast on Byres Rd toward Great George St. Take the 1st right onto Great George St. Then, turn left at Kersland St and finally take the 3rd left onto Sandringham Ln. Oran Mor is on the left hand side at the end of the street. This should take no longer than 5 to 10 minute walk.

Mainline Station

The main train stations are Queen Street Station and Central Station. From Queen Street Station, the underground station is Buchanan and from Central station it’s Ct Enoch underground.

Bus Services

Service running to Oran Mor is the bus number 66 from the City Centre.

Car parking

The nearest NCP parking is located behind the Hillhead Station on the Great George St, which is approximately a 5 -10 minute walk from Òran Mór.