RESIDENTS at one of Glasgow's hidden architectural gems have celebrated the diamond anniversary of their homes.

Crathie Court, an unusual art deco block of flats tucked away in Thornwood in the West End, was designed after World War 2 as an experiment by Glasgow Corporation in high-rise living.

The eight-storey block was finished in 1952 and the first residents to move in were all single women. The block went on to be nicknamed the "spinster flats".


About 30 residents gathered on Saturday to mark the 60th anniversary of the historic flats in the residents' common room. Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) Chair Gordon Sloan unveiled a plaque at the front of the building.

One of the original tenants Betty Low died earlier this year – and as part of the 60th anniversary celebrations a plaque was unveiled in her memory on a park bench in the grounds by resident Stevie Leitch.

The 88 studio flats, which today house mainly older people – both men and women - recently had £2.6m of work carried out by GHA.

The work included new windows and heating, new kitchens, bathrooms and doors, painting and tiling the closes and landscaping the gardens and grounds around the block. The Common Room was also refurbished and a new TV installed.

The flats won a Saltire Society Award in 1952 for best-designed flats.

(NE/GK)