Tam's Tall Tales

- Strathclyde University Splashes Out


Park Circus



Costly Park Circus Mansion for University Principal
Strathclyde University has been attacked for spending £339,000 on refurbishing a luxurious townhouse for use by its principal. The ground floor boasts twin Corinthian pillars, a marble fireplace and a "broad sweeping staircase." There are four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a dining room, drawing room, "show" room, workshop, study, two sitting rooms and three offices.

Strathclyde University bought the home in Park Circus, a fashionable area of Glasgow, for £1.2 million last year. The five-floor property is for the use of Sir Jim McDonald, the highest paid university principal in Scotland.

University officials were criticised at the time for buying the five-storey luxury house, but it has since spent hundreds of thousands of pounds more on it, including a £4,000 wardrobe, £1,180 on a chair, £825 for a drawer and £3,400 on sofas and nearly £100 on a state-of-the-art toaster.

Due to budget constraints, the University is having to make some staff redundant this summer.

A University spokesman said: "The University purchased the property in Park Circus to replace an existing property at Jordanhill. The property will be used for corporate events and business engagements.


Please give me whatever feedback comes to mind via tamfromrampant@gmail.com.

Tam O'Ranter
May 2015

Return to Tam O'Ranter Index





Where else would you like to go in Scotland?








Separator line