Roast Chestnut seller in Railway arch

[TheGorbalsAdmin]

Over the years I've heard about someone who used to sell roast chestnuts from a small arch under a railway bridge somewhere in the Gorbals.
I was wondering if anyone had any details or memories of this at all? Was it only roast chestnuts?
At a launch event about ten years ago there was someone roasting chestnuts by way of a throw back to this seller but I have not managed to hear from anyone with a clear specific recollection of this.
I've heard the tale recounted so many times I have almost imagined seeing this person even in my own life time which is doubtless unlikely.
Without reference to google it would be interesting to know of anyone with their own memories of such a seller? Or am I just nuts!

[amelia]

It was under the arches in Clelland St just by St. Johns boys school before you came to Hospital St. I'm trying to figure out just where it would be just now if it was here, I don't think it would have been the road at the car park for the theatre it might have ben the next one before you come to the Granite City the Brazen Head.
Coming from over the bridge from the town there was Ballater St then there was Old Rutherglen Road as we knew it you went past it and I think there where a couple of closes then you came to the Citizens theatre the Diamonds dancing then attached was the picture house the Palace after that there was a sweetie shop where we went into before going into the pics another couple of closes and shops don't know what else then you where at the corner of Clelland St.
it was a wee pokey hole of a place and you could smell the peanuts from a good distance away. If it had been at the present time I think the place would have been closed with the health board but I don't know how he got into the place.
I think I remember someone from the old anecdotes knew his name
Maybe someone else could remember more, hope this helps you. When my brother comes up to me on Sunday I'll ask him.
Amelia x

[Adelphi]

This shop was under the bridge in Cleland St. If my memory serves me well He was a Grey haired Man who wore glasses and I think he had a turn in his eye. Not only did he sell Roasted Salted Peanuts, He sold Coconut Ice and Macaroon Bars. I remember going to the shop after coming out of the Gorbals baths.

[TheGorbalsAdmin]

Thanks for the responses so far.
I'd like to try and put a date to this if possible. Try to get an idea as to who the guy might have been and how long he had the place going for.
The railway arches are a real wasted resource for the area just now I reckon. Maybe the local community could take them over and make some use of them!

[margaretmcgettigan]

Was there not a "Peanut Man" selling nuts and sweets under the bridge in Cumberland Street...If you were walking up Cumberland towards Eglinton Street he had a wee space just up from the grain store which was on the corner of Cumberland Street and Main Street??? I used to walk past him for years when I was getting a tramcar from Eglinton Street going into the town...

[frankford]

I believe the posts under the bridge in Cleland are correct for the roasted nuts, the Ayrshire Farmers Milk Dairy was just up the st.a bit, opposite was was the Arches which contained several business, I started work in 1959 with Scottish Special Engineering who operated from there, Tom [Tiny ] Wharton the great referee started me in my first job. Frank

[tweedlie5]

I remember going to the palace picture house from caledonia road and there was a wee man under arches who sold chestnuts and roasted peanuts....they were gorgeous.....can't remember the name of that road though but it might jog somebodies memory.............I can taste them now

[JosieStuksis]

Don't remember any chestnuts, but he definitely sold roasted peanuts. My dad used to send me along there from Nicholson St. Used to huff and puff about it cos it seemed as if it was far away. He also sold candy apples, tablet, macaroon bars (I think), coconut ice in different colours, if my dad was in a good mood he let me get a bit of coconut ice for going. He sold coconut ice shaped like a mouse too. There was nothing like that smell as you went along Cleland St. We left the Gorbals in 1971 and he was still there when we left. Not to sure when he shut the place down though.

[JosieStuksis]

The size of the wee stall he had was not much bigger than the archway...really pokey wee place.

[JosieStuksis]

found a bit better photo, looking at it the peanut seller may have been in the centre arch as it was pitch dark under the bridge. The third arch way to the right isn't even under the bridge. (would have deleted the other photo but can't) don't know why it went so big.