Lord Kelvin's Sundial

 

Glasgow University, Glasgow

A dial that defies classification but for here will be classed as a horizontal sundial as that is the primary dial. There are also smaller dials pointing North, South, East and West. All the dials are made of slate.

The 3' diameter stone globe is actually a globe marked with the lines of latitude, longitude, oceans and continents.

It is located on the terrace of the main Glasgow University building overlooking Kelvingrove Park.

Originally from Torridon House, Bearsden and believed to be made by Lord Kelvin (a key Scots mathematician and physicist at Glasgow University who also said in 1905 "heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible"). Bequethed to Glasgow University in 1964 and erected in 1971.

Visited 06 March 2004 - Author

Visited 6 August 1987 - Somerville/University Archivist

 

 

This dial has rather a lot of history - at least with regards to me. I used to live just round the corner so if I fancied a breath of fresh air it often involved coming up here. Stylistically a very harmonious dial which has obviously had a lot of thought and attention go into it and then which has hardly been changed. However, it is a bit thought out, a bit conscious of itself, rather like the gothic that stands behind it. Its position is also to its detriment as it is now surrounded by a car park and flanked by a rather out of place 1960s block.