Lanarkshire Fire Brigade Headquarters
Strathclyde Fire Brigade Headquarters
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service West Service Delivery Area Headquarters
Lanarkshire Fire Brigade planned to build a six bay fire station with station accommodation to the left of the bays and headquarters accommodation to the right.
During the period ending December 1954 Lanarkshire Fire Brigade were given a sum of £30,000 to commence building a small portion of a new Fire Brigade Headquarters in Bothwell Road Hamilton.
A fire station with 3 bays and accommodation to the left was built and officially opened on the 6th of August 1955. A small portion of the new Fire Brigade Headquarters was now completed.
The new Fire Brigade Headquarters at Bothwell Road, Hamilton, were occupied on 30th September, 1966. A five bay station with station accommodation to the left and a headquarters building to the right.
As you entered the station on the left were offices and to the right the watchroom. The dormitories were upstairs and above the bays the lecture room, canteen and kitchen.
Nowadays as you enter the station on the left is the lecture room and on the right the watchroom. The dormitories are upstairs and above bays, the gym, canteen and kitchen. (2026)
While the station was being renovated three temporary garages were built in the yard to house the three appliances. (Date?)
The HQ building was occupied 30th January 1989.
When the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was formed in 2013, the Headquarters building became the West Service Delivery Area Headquarters. The Chief’s Office, Dunlop Room and other offices on the top floor were later converted into a large open plan office with desks used for hot desk working. SFRS decided the building was surplus to requirements and the West SDA HQ was moved to the SFRS HQ at Cambuslang and the building was put up for sale. The Police were going to buy the building but due to lack of finance they ceased any interest in the building. The latest is that a Storage Unit Company have bought the building but there are no signs of them having moved in (May 2026).
Strathclyde Fire Brigade Headquarters
Opened by Her Majesty The Queen
Thursday, 12th July, 1990
Order of proceedings
National Anthem Ocet
Invitation to Carry out Firemaster C. B. Halliday
Unveiling of Plaque
Unveiling of Her Majesty The Queen
Commemorative Plaque
Presentation Councillor James Jennings J. P. Chairman of Police and Fire Committee
Tour of Premises
Development of new headquarters
At the point of regionalisation back in 1975 a headquarters building was required for the new Strathclyde Fire Brigade, but the only building which was reasonably suitable was the headquarters of the old Lanarkshire Fire Brigade at Bothwell Road, Hamilton.
Subsequently it was at the Hamilton premises that the headquarters of Strathclyde Fire Brigade was first established. However, it was immediately evident that the existing building was not adequate for the administrative undertaking required of a Brigade the size of Strathclyde.
As a consequence a project to build a custom made headquarters was placed on the Brigades capital building programme. Unfortunately, the main priorities on the programme at that time were the replacement of a number of operational fire stations. Due to the fact that the headquarters project constantly had to be postponed it became necessary to construct a range of annexe buildings at Hamilton to house all the headquarters departments. Coupled with the original Lanarkshire building the annex sufficed in the early years to accommodate the necessary headquarters personnel.
Initially it had been forecast that the annexe buildings had a life span of 10 years.
As time went by, it therefore became imperative to bring the Brigade Headquarters project to the head of the priority list for capital expenditure.
By 1985, after surveying a number of options, it was decided to build the new Headquarters on the existing Lanarkshire site at Bothwell Road, Hamilton. At the same time many months of discussion and liaison had ensued between personnel from the Brigades Services Department and members of Strathclyde Regional Council Department of Architectural and Related Services. This culminated in a final brief being approved.
This brief originally called for the project to be done in two phases: Phase 1A would be an extension built onto the existing building and Phase 1B would follow with an upgrade of the existing building to bring it to the same standard as Phase 1A.
In August 1987, the Firemaster cut the first sod and the contractor, Henry Boot & Co., Ltd., made a start on the Phase 1A Extension. Work progressed exceedingly well and fruition of Phase 1A was reached in December, 1988, two months ahead of schedule. Phase 1B followed, almost immediately with a second contractor, Alistair Burnett & Co., Ltd., commencing in February, 1989. This phase was completed in March, 1990.
Since the original requirement for the project to be carried out in two phases, a third phase has been added and a scheme approved. This is the upgrade of the adjoining Hamilton Fire Station. The addition was made for reasons of operational efficiency and morale. It has been designated as Phase 1C and will be completed by October, 1991.
The new building
The new headquarters is a high-tech building of two floors, designed and built in the spirit of the 1980’s, to house the Headquarters staff of a high-tech fire brigade facing up to the challenges of the 1990’s and beyond. The external structure constructed of facing brick, finishing blockwork and Luxalon wall cladding forms a very striking appearance which is easily identified as a Fire Brigade Headquarters.
The interior is of a very contemporary style, relying, in design, on the striking effects of stainless steel, brown finishing brick, red stained woodwork and a complementary arrangement of wall and floor finishes.
The prestige of the building has been marked by the inclusion of appropriately chosen works of art. Two contemporary artists were chosen for this task. One was Wendy Taylor, C.B.E. of Lonon who has an international reputation and has numerous examples of her work commissioned and installed throughout the United Kingdom. The other artist was Brian Kelly who is indigenous to Strathclyde and is a lecturer at the Glasgow School of Art. His work is also generally renowned and highly regarded.
A third piece of artwork was added some time after the building was occupied. This is a painting by Paul Dessau entitled “September Nightmare”.
The areas within the building include a separate executive suite of offices for the Firemaster. This suite also houses the Deputy Firemaster, their two secretaries and a uniformed Staff Officer. In addition it incorporates an executive lounge and dinning room complete with its own kitchen.
The various Headquarters Departments have been allocated separate wings of the building. These wings all have the appropriate number of offices, areas and equipment for the departments to effectively carry out their function. Included in this is an area for the newly formed Audio Visual Unit.
The day to day administration of the Brigade involves numerous meetings and conferences. To accommodate this, a conference suite has been situated on the ground floor and comprises of one main conference room, two secondary conference rooms and five interview rooms. In addition a substantial lecture theatre has been included and is used when it is necessary to bring large numbers of the Brigade’s Officers and personnel together for lectures, discussions and seminars.
The general catering and dinning facilities were designed to cope with the day to day meal breaks of the total Headquarters staff. However, it has the added potential for conversation to cope with the periodic social functions which are an integral part of a Headquarters calendar.
The Headquarters staff departments are Personnel, Services, Operations, Fire Prevention and Audio Visual.
Hamilton Fire Station Refurbishment
I think the above plaque refers to the Opening of the refurbished Fire Station as Hamilton Fire Station was opened by Lanarkshire 6th August 1955.
The Final phase of the Brigade Headquarters project, the refurbishment of Hamilton Fire Station was completed in November.
(Strathclyde Regional Council Police and Fire Committee Report 1991/92)
Hamilton Fire Station
The completion of the final part of the major project to develop the Bothwell Road site as the Brigade’s Central Headquarters took place in 1991. The last phase was the upgrading of the existing fire station.
(Report of the Firemaster of Strathclyde 1991)
STRATHCLYDE FIRE BRIGADE
OFFICIAL OPENING OF BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS EXTENSION
19th May 2000
Performed by Dr. John Reid MP, Secretary of State for Scotland
ORDER OF PROCEEDINGS
GUESTS ASSEMBLE
WELCOME BY FIREMASTER
Jeff Ord OStJ, QFSM, GIFireE
OPENIG CEREMONY
Dr John Reid MP
Secretary of State for Scotland
REMARKS
Councillor Joe Shaw
Convener, Strathclyde Fire Board
BUFFET
BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS EXTENSION
PHASE THREE
BACKGROUND
The requirements for an extension was identified in anticipation of the transfer of staff to Strathclyde Fire Board following local government reorganisation in 1996 with the establishment of an in-house finance department plus property, legal and purchasing units. The occupational health unit was also inadequately housed at that time within temporary annex units at Brigade HQ, and the design brief took cognisance of the special functions of this unit. The project was included within the Board’s 1996/97 capital programme.
A temporary lease of Orchard House, Hamilton, granted by South Lanarkshire Council for nil consideration housed the new staff on a temporary basis and also facilitated the vacation of the annex building and its subsequent demolition at the commencement of the construction programme.
ACCOMMODATION
The two storey extension contains approx. 1300 square metres of floor space. Of similar construction to the existing building and linked at both floor levels, it is an almost identical match but incorporates new computer network installation, air conditioning etc.
In addition to offices, the accommodation within the new wing comprises of a self contained specialist medical/welfare suite with separate access, a fully equipped staff gymnasium, computer room, project rooms, conference rooms and a major incident operations room utilising the latest technology including a new remote link from the main integrated command and control system.
The extension has full disabled access with a lift and toilet facilities on both floors. The installation of a passenger lift within the existing building as part of this project now permits disabled access throughout the entire headquarters office complex.
OCCUPATION
The building was completed in September 1999 and the following month all the staff from Orchard House moved in enabling us to terminate our interest in this property. Following various departmental office moves throughout the headquarters complex, the accommodation is now fully occupied with the exception of one general office within the finance department suite. This will accommodate the new in-house payroll unit and the eight staff members who will be in post by July.
Main Contractor
Henry Boot Scotland Ltd
Garrowhill, Baillieston,
Glasgow G69 6EY
Architect
South Lanarkshire Council
Housing & Technical Resources,
Atholl House,
East Kilbride G74 1LU,
Director: Stewart Gilchrist
Designed by Strathclyde Fire Brigade Graphics ©2000
NEW HEADQUARTERS BEGINS
The Long awaited extension to Brigade Headquarters is now underway.
On Friday, 7th August, 1987, Firemaster C. B. Halliday and Councillor William Harley, Chairman, Police and Fire Committee, were given spades and told to start digging.
(See photograph, the camera does not lie).
Members, representing all sections at Brigade Headquarters and other Departments within the Region, were in attendance and after a Buffet in the Conference Room, all guests proceeded out to the site area.
After lifting the first soil a presentation was made to the Firemaster and Councillor Harley by Mr. Donald Forsyth, Managing Director, Henry Boot Scotland Limited. Henry Boot is the main contractor for this project.
<Photo> Councillor Harley and Firemaster digging.
(Aye Ready Issue 2, December 1987, Page 5)
ART For the Fire Brigades Sake
FIRE FLOW
Wendy Taylor produced this piece of modern sculpture for the new Brigade Headquarters building which is situated in the foyer. It is simple in form, with 24 stainless steel rods emanating from a central point, rising vertically to curve symmetrically over and encase an array of flames. The rods signify the most common medium used in the extinction of fire – water, and also, they signify the infinite 24 hour a day cover provided by the personnel.
.
Brian Kelly produced a wall mounted mosaic which is in the north east staircase which looks onto Bothwell Road. He was most anxious that his piece of work should in some way display the dedication, courage and discernment which he sensed as being “part and parcel of being a fireman”. It displays and array of equipment which signifies all aspects of fire brigade work, from communications to transport. All being set against a background which shows the wide and varied area which makes up Strathclyde. Also imposing themselves, modestly, on the scene are the Thistle of Scotland and a Dove.
(Aye Ready Issue Six, Spring 1989. Page 7. Part of article)
DEDICATION SERVICE
The new Brigade Headquarters building was officially dedicated by the Brigade’s Senior Chaplin, Rev. Peter Houston, on the 10th February 1989.
The service was held in the Lecture Theatre and was attended by all of the Headquarters staff. The Region was represented by both Mr. Wm. Harley, Chairman and Mr. A. Ferguson, Vice Chairman of the Police and Fire Committee.
On the same evening a Race Night was organised by Ex Bookmaker, Divisional Officer John Martin.
The aim of the night was to raise money for the Benevolent Fund and the venue was our new Headquarters Restaurant and Goodwillie Lounge. The event was well attended by Headquarters personnel, race sponsors and representatives from all divisions, families and friends.
The TOTE and pay-out window was manned by Mrs. Magowan (Typing Pool) and her family and they organised it in a first class way in order to take as much money as possible. The bets were coming fast and furious as the evening progressed with certain ranks trying hard to re-croup their losses (20p.). However, the 8 races and raffles raised a grand total of £600.00.
Well Done to all who made the night a great success, especially “MECCA MARTIN”
There followed the names of the horses who participated. I have not included them.
(Aye Ready Issue Six, Spring 1989. Page 19)
On the 1st of April 2013 The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was formed replacing the eight antecedent Services and Hamilton became the West Service Delivery Area.
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