Demolition underway at historic Glasgow University Boathouse on River Clyde
The demolition of a historic boathouse on the River Clyde in Glasgow Green has begun.
Demolition work is underway at the East Boathouse, also known as the University of Glasgow Boathouse, on the banks of the River Clyde which suffered damage during recent storms. The distinctive structure was built in 1924 housed the university’s rowing team. Access was restricted to the building in March 2025.
Signs have been placed at the site by demolition specialists who have been tasked by the council to remove the building. A public consultation on the demolition concluded on 7 January 2026. The proposal stated: “This property has been used as a Boathouse and had previously been leased to organisations to store equipment and access the river. The building is no longer in a usable condition and is at risk of structural collapse due to the condition of the building structure and instability of the riverbank the building is situated upon. Due to safety concerns it is considered sensible to demolish the building and make the area safe.”
The building was home to Glasgow University Boat Club's equipment and boats. From there, rowers had access to 6km of non-tidal water between the weir at Glasgow Green and Belvidere Straight adjacent to Cuningar Woodland Park.
A five-metre exclusion zone was put in place following damage caused by Storm Éowyn. A structural survey was carried out and remedial work on the foundations of the boathouse proved unsuccessful. Signs on fences surrounding the building warned of the risk of subsidence at the site.
Alongside the Glasgow University Boat Club, the building was also used by the Glasgow Schools Rowing Club.
In May 2023, work was complete on a £3 million project to restore the listed West Boathouse which also sits on the River Clyde at Glasgow Green. Built in 1905 for Clyde Amateur Rowing Club and Clydesdale Amateur Rowing Club, the facility features an ‘unusual’ timber-framed substructure which was designed by city engineer A B MacDonald. The renovation and renewal of the building was overseen by the Glasgow Building Preservation Trust.
The University of Strathclyde Boat Club joined Clyde AFC and Clydesdale AFC in using the restored building, which is on a long-term lease from Glasgow City Council.
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