Comfort and Joy

Radio DJ, Alan 'Dicky' Bird drives home with his girlfriend Maddy after her shoplifting spree. Andy McArthur identifies this as the elevated sections of carriageway of the M77 Motorway. Southbound to the right and northbound on the left.

Alan and Maddy get closer to home. Confirmed by Andy McArthur, Peter locates this as the M8 motorway at the junction with the M77 motorway looking east towards Glasgow's west end with the 'A' Listed Finnieston Crane to the extreme right.

From a different angle, the M77 taken through the windscreen on the northbound ramp to the M8 and M74.

The morning after Maddy has left him, Alan Bird (Bill Paterson) leaves his apartment. Camphill Avenue, Glasgow G41 confirmed by Ian Warren.

Andy found no change since filming in 1984.

Alan loads his red BMW with new pots and pans on Buchanan Street with St Enoch subway station and the since closed Arnotts store in the background across Argyle Street, Glasgow G1.

Big changes here. Andy McArthur explains that the glass dome is one of the pedestrian entrances to St. Enoch Square underground railway station and the new build to the right is the St. Enoch Shopping Centre.

A little later, Alan arrives home with the new things to replace those that Maddy took. Camphill Avenue opposite Mansionhouse Road in Shawlands, Glasgow.

The same unchanged location.

After a days work at the studio, Alan drives home. Peter Trowles advises that this is the westbound slip road onto Kingston Bridge (M8) in Glasgow City centre.

The dome in the left background is the former headquarters of the Scottish Cooperative Society at 100 Morrison Street, now converted to luxury flats. The statue on the dome is a miniature of the Statue of Liberty.

Whilst stuck in traffic a Mr Bunny ice cream van gains on Alan in the outside lane. St Vincent Street looking east, with Elmbank Street and India Street on the left. Information from Peter Trowles.

St. Vincent Street and Elmbank Street have been redeveloped. The sandstone church to the right is the St. Columba church where sermons are delivered in Gaelic.

Newly single Alan catches sight of a girl in the ice cream van and decides to follow. Looking east on St Vincent Street, Glasgow City centre identified by Peter Trowles.

Here, a new office block stands at 301 St. Vincent Street,adjacent to British Telecom's Dial House on Bothwell Street, the grey building in the screen capture.

Alan is up for a challenge. North Street, Glasgow G3. Andy explains that the "bridge" above the yellow car in the left distance was an undeveloped construction named the Charing Cross Podium, towering above the sunken M8 Motorway carriageways.

In the 1990s an office block, Tay House, was built on top of the structure but for many years the vacant site nick named the "Bridge to Nowhere" was the butt of many jokes.

The DJ is determined to catch up. Paul Cassidy identifies this as Springburn road in Glasgow, north from the Royal Infirmary. The warehouse to the right is still there and behind it now stands the St. Rollox shopping complex where. Andy McArthur recalls that at lunch times in the 1980s, dozens of workers used to stream across Springburn Road to get to the pub for a beer.

Some changes here. The Charles Street office block between the ice cream van and overhead gantry sign, has been replaced by a corrugated storage building while the workshops and the remaining sheds are visible through the pedestrian footbridge. The longer sheds were built with a railway siding inside to manoeuvre carriages in and out for maintenance.

The ice cream van leaves the city centre behind. Andy advises that this is High Craighall Road, Glasgow G4 with, Peter Trowles tells us, Speirs Wharf buildings in background.

The sandstone tower in the left of the capture has since been demolished and the gate house appears in an episode of the television series 'Taggart'. The main buildings were last use was a whisky bond for Clyde Bonding but now have other uses including luxury flats, a private gym and business units.

Alan follows Mr Bunny under the Forth & Clyde Canal's Lochburn Road Aqueduct on Lochburn Road, Glasgow G20.

Now, vehicles are controlled by traffic lights to make it safer to drive through the tunnel beneath Stockingfield Junction on the Forth and Clyde Canal.

Mr Bunny climbs Sandbank Street, Glasgow G2 with Viewmount Drive to the right.

The same location, now with added buildings.

Hot on the trail of the ice cream girl. Campbell Street, Glasgow G2. New housing now stands on both sides of this road.

Campbell Street has since been redeveloped with housing on both sides which obscures the view in the screen capture.

Evening draws in as Alan follows Mr Bunny from the city centre into the northern suburbs. Campbell Street, Glasgow G2.

Alan catches up with Mr Bunny. Claddens Quadrant looking towards Broadholm Street in Possilpark, Glasgow G22.

The location now.

Hoping to get an ice cream . . . . and maybe a girl! Claddens Quadrant, Glasgow G22.

Not many changes, some trees have grown on the grassed area.

Alan comes away with just an ice cream. Claddens Quadrant in the north of Glasgow. Andy McArthur advises that the tower in the right distance is the clock tower of the, now closed, Ruchill Hospital.

The high flats in background still visible through the trees.

The Mr Bunny van is attacked by a group of masked men. Claddens Quadrant, Glasgow.

The same location on a sunny day.

After witnessing the attack on the ice cream van, Alan decides to do some investigative journalism. Springfield Quay with Kingston Bridge behind. Glasgow G5.

The quay side sheds have gone and, in their place, stands a retail park with restaurants and a cinema complex. In the left distance of both views can be seen the dome of the Clyde Port Authority building, formerly the Clyde Navigation Trust, who controlled all riverside docks along the River Clyde.

Springfield Quay alongside the River Clyde. Glasgow G5.

Beyond the bridge, berthed on the north bank, is the Renfrew Ferry Night Club. The ferry is a chain driven vessel which began it's working life at Erskine, crossing the River Clyde to Old Kilpatrick. When the Erskine Bridge opened in 1991 the vessel was moved up river to work the Renfrew to Yoker crossing.

Alan can't get the words right . . . . Springfield Quay, Glasgow G5. Andy McArthur tells us that the red coloured property to the top left was the Daily Record building, sister paper to the Daily Mirror. Two local pubs serving the office were aptly named the Copy Cat and Off The Record.

The far bank of the River Clyde has since been developed.

. . . and ends up reminiscing about Maddy. Springfield Quay, Glasgow G5. Andy McArthur points out the Finnieston Crane in the centre background.

The quay side shed on the opposite bank has become part of a luxury apartment development. The paddle steamer Waverley used to berth there but the closure of the Bell's Whisky Swing Bridge cut off that section of the river for navigation. A new bridge, nicknamed the Squinty Bridge, now crosses the Clyde from Finnieston to Govan.

Whilst staying with a friend, Alan experiences a dream about finding Maddy in his car on a snowy morning. Unknown location.

After work one evening, Alan meets with Mr Cool's men. Hill Street, Glasgow G3. Andy McArthur adds, to the right of the background flats can be seen part of the Theatre Royal on Hope Street G2.

The walkway to residential flats in the centre of the capture are now obscured by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Following the Mr Cool ice cream van. Cambridge Street, Glasgow G2.

The buildings remain, now occupied by different businesses.

Alan visits his dentist. Graham Wilson identified this location as the top of Gardner Street, Partickhill, G11. which is also used in Ken Loach's 'The Angels Share'.

Almost exactly the same location.

Crossing the road to Roderick Nisbets dental surgery. Top of Gardner Street, Partickhill again located by Graham Wilson.

An iconic view in Glasgow. Andy McArthur reminds us that the scene can also be seen in the opening credits of some 'Taggart' episodes.

In search of Mr Bunny again. Rob Reid locates this as Knowetap Street in Glasgow G20.

Little or no change in this area.

Mr Bunny's 'chimes' are heard as Alan spots the ice cream van. Summerston, Glasgow G23.

A restricted view of Summerston taken from Knowetap Street.

Alan chases after Mr Bunny. Looking towards 'The Maryhill' railway line on Arrochar Street in Summerston, Glasgow G23.

The railway is still there, behind the trees on the lineside.

Searching the maze of streets. Dougalston Road, Glasgow G23.

Looking the same way on Dougalston Road.

Alan sees Mr Bunny pass along Arrochar Street from Dougalston Road. Glasgow G23.

Trees have grown, partly obscuring the view.

The pursuit continues on Dougalston Road near the junction with Muirfield Crescent in Summerston, Glasgow G23.

The location now.

Mr Bunny climbs the hill on Dougalston Road, Glasgow.

Again, Andy found little change on this street.

Alan races down Lytham Drive onto Dougalston Road, G23 and . . . .

Andy's car plays the part of Alan Bird's BMW 323i Cabriolet.

. . . the inevitable happens. The corner of Dougalston Road and Lytham Drive, Glasgow G23.

No changes other than boundary trim and the odd house extension.

Following Mr Bunny onto Invershiel Road from Dougalston Road and on towards the depot. Summerston, Glasgow G23.

Dougalston Road looking down to junction at Invershiel Road.

Alan follows Mr Bunny along Sandbank Street past the junction with Campbell Street, Glasgow G2.

We've seen this view before.

One of Mr McCools chain of cafés. Paul Cassidy identifies this as the Orlando Café which once stood on the corner of Sauchiehall Street and Argyle Street across from Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum in Glasgow G3. The petrol station stood on the site of the United Free church and the café was used in 'That Sinking Feeling'.

All change here with modern flats and shop units replacing the garage.

At the insistence of his boss, Alan visits a psychiatrist. Nice, artistic railings on Broomhill Drive G11. Location identified by Ranald MacInnes.

The railings are probably post World War II, unusually ornate and a quality fitting as, during hostilities, fences and railings were reclaimed for scrap. The row of tenement flats windows are now uniformly painted black whereas the capture shows some in red.

Following a meeting with Trevor, aka Mr Bunny, Alan's BMW 323i Baur convertible receives more damage as he attempts to leave the depot. Bob Buchanan advises that this was the old Bryant & May match factory on Shuna Street in Ruchill, Glasgow G20. The factory was originally a sawmill adjacent to the Glasgow branch of the Forth and Clyde Canal. Timber was transported by canal some of which was stored in water at the Firhill Basin.

The corner of Shuna Street and Shuna Place captured by Ged Browne who received confirmation from an elderly gent who told him that he used to work in the Bryant & May factory.

After hearing a recipe, Alan has an idea and buys ingredients for a new product that will end the feud between the McCool's and the Bunny's. Peter Trowles found that the location in Cambridge Street G3 is still trading as a Chinese supermarket.

Yes indeed still trading as a Chinese Supermarket but now name Lims Supermarket Ltd.

Mr McCools 'boys' wait for Alan after work. The multi-story car park, Cambridge Street G3 located by Peter.

Access to the roof top parking area was unavailable so Andy McArthur had to make do with next level down.

Alan approaches, explaining that he wants to see McCool too. Peter Trowles advises that this is the car park above Cambridge Street in Glasgow.

Within the Cowcaddens estate is a public bowling green incorporated into an elevated section of the complex.

McCool's men listen as Alan talks. On the roof of the multi-story car park, Cambridge Street G3. Identified by Peter Trowles.

The tower in the centre is a former school on New City Road. The school was named the Normal School and later became Dundasvale Teachers' Centre then an auxiliary fire station and recently a medical centre.

Alan takes McCools gang back to their depot. Driving up Hill Street G3 towards Cambridge Street.

The Car Park entrance in Hill Street.

Turning onto Cambridge Street. Glasgow G2.

Just the expected changes to business names since 1984.

The damage to the BMW's roof is evident. Peter Trowles identifies Possil Road, Glasgow G4, looking north towards the viaduct that carries the Forth and Clyde canal.

The double decker bus in the capture is one of the fleet belonging to Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive. The orange livery was also used on the Glasgow Underground fleet of trains and from that the nickname the Clockwork Orange originated.

Arriving at the depot to meet Mr McCool aka Luigi. Bob Buchanan advises that this is the other side of the gates at the corner of Shuna Street and Shuna Place G20 seen earlier with properties on Ruchill Street in the background. (RL)

In the deserted car park of a milk bar, Alan waits at a Milk Bar for Luigi to arrive. The 'Scotland: the Movie Location Guide' web site identifies this as Cairneach Milk Bar, Stirling Road, Drymen. Andy McArthur advises that the range of hills in the background are the Campsies.

The Milk Bar has gone and the site now occupied by Fraser C. Robb, an engineering support company.

Alan, Trevor (Alex Norton) and his Uncle Luigi (Roberto Bernardi) meet and discuss a partnership selling the new product. Stirling Road, Drymen, Glasgow G23.

The former milk bar site now.

The new product goes on sale. The corner of Balmore Road and Kilfinan Street, Glasgow G22, Scotland.

Residential flats have replaced the sandstone school building in the left background.