WHO OWNS THE CLYDE?
‘Who owns the Clyde?’ is a podcast series produced and hosted by architect Jude Barber and writer Louise Welsh, with podcast producer Halina Rifai.
It is a citizen investigation into the complexities around ownership of the River Clyde and its impact on Glasgow’s historic waterfront. The podcast asks what this means for the river’s future and how the Clyde could be reclaimed and reimagined for the benefit of citizens, visitors and ecosystems alike.
Available to listen on Podfollow, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Read more about our podcast here.
Episodes
TRAILER: Who Owns The Clyde?
Who owns the Clyde is a three-part citizen investigation into ownership of Glasgow’s iconic River, explored through a kaleidoscope of diverse voices, soundscapes, and poetry.
Co-hosts writer Louise Welsh and architect Jude Barber are joined by a range of contributors, as they dive deep into the murky waters of river ownership and untapped potential. From its banks, the riverbed, the water and the sky above. Exploring privatisation to public access, from historical legacy to hopes and dreams for the River.
Asking questions that matter to every citizen of Glasgow and uncovering how decisions made decades ago shape the city today.
Episode 01 | ‘The Clyde Made Glasgow’
This episode introduced why the Clyde is so central to the City through discussions with local politicians, citizens, passers-by and informed guests. Includes poetry and music from The Empire Cafe.
Contributors include:
Malika Booker, Poet reading ‘Yonder Awa’ from The Empire Cafe’
Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council
Councillor Graham Campbell
Andy Wightman, Land Reformer
Sandra Whyte, former MSP, Scottish Parliament
Various Clydeside contributors including residents, urbanists, artists, security guards, cyclists and passersby.
Artist Graham Fagen and Ghetto Priest with music ‘I Murder Hate’
Episode 2 | Sold Down the River
This episode explores timelines and ownership of the Clyde, and why that matters today. Includes poetry and music from The Empire Cafe.
Contributors include:
Jim Carruth, Poet and Glasgow Makar from 2014 reading ‘Portrait of the Glassford Family’ from The Empire Cafe
Andy Wightman, Land Reformer
Sandra Whyte, former MSP, Scottish Parliament
Statement from James McSporran, Peel Ports (recorded by voice actor)
Paul Sweeney, MSP, Scottish Parliament
Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council
Various Clydeside contributors including residents, urbanists, artists, security guards, cyclists and passersby.
Artist Graham Fagen and Ghetto Priest with music ‘I Murder Hate’.
Recording of ‘Send Back the Money’ from Merchant City Voices by Jude Barber, Collective Architecture and Louise Welsh with students from the Conservatoire of Scotland commissioned by Glasgow City Council
Bonus Episode | Reflections
In this bonus episode, Jude and Louise reflect on the overwhelming response to the podcast so far. They meet together, in producer Halina Rifai’s kitchen, to discuss some of the feedback they have received from listeners and participants since launching the series. During the session they share some insights into the participants and themes that will be explored in Episode 3. The session ends with a snapshot from poet, playwright and author Jackie Kay.
Episode 03 | Clyde Rights
Episode Three explores the reasons for and outcomes of fragmented ownership along the River Clyde. Louise, Jude and a wide array of informed contributors discuss possible futures for the ecology, economic and social potential of river and the city, if existing barriers can be overcome.
Jude and Louise issue a bold provocation and invite listeners to get involved.
Contributors Include, in order of appearance
Jackie Kay, poet reading ‘Clyde’ from her 2024 collection ‘Mayday’
John Moore, University of Glasgow Map Librarian, emeritus
Paul Sweeney MSP (Labour)
Ross Nimmo, Head of Place, Glasgow City Region
Holly Bruce, Glasgow City Councillor (Green Party)
May East, Educator, Urban Planner, Singer & Song writer
Caitlin Arbuckle MacLeod, Graduate Planner at Collective Architecture, Glasgow
Andy Wightman, Land Reformer
Ailie Cormac of Scottish Poetry Library reading recent Makar, Kathleen Jamie’s poem, ‘What the Clyde Said After Cop 26’, kind permission of The Scottish Poetry Library.
Presented, researched and co-produced by Jude Barber and Louise Welsh. Recorded, edited, sound design and co-produced by Halina Rifai. Original music by Graham Fagan and Ghetto Priest.
Live Episode | Public Event at Collective Architecture
On 22nd October 2024, we welcomed an audience of around hundred people to Collective Architecture’s offices for a public event asking the question, Who Owns the Clyde?
We invited four contributors to present a brief provocation to the audience, who were invited to contribute their thoughts and ideas in return. As with all Empire Café events, this was a conversation rather than a debate.
Our audience was self-selecting. We were lucky to have city planners, councillors, architects, conservationists, building preservationists, mariners, activists, artists, academics, writers, students, engineers, designers and citizens from many other walks of life in the room. We are grateful to them all for their presence, enthusiasm and generosity in sharing their knowledge, thoughts and ideas.
If you have listened to previous episodes of Who Owns the Clyde you will already have met some of our provocateurs, they are:
Andy Wightman, Land Reformer
Caitlin Arbuckle MacLeod, Graduate Planner at Collective Architecture, Glasgow
Holly Bruce, Glasgow City Councillor (Greens)
Dr Andrew Hoolachan, Lecturer in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Glasgow and Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute
This live bonus episode is presented, researched and co-produced by Jude Barber and Louise Welsh. Recorded, edited and co-produced by Halina Rifai. Please note this episode was recorded in real time and is longer than previous ones.
Bonus Episode | Reflections 02
In this bonus episode, Jude and Louise discuss the thinking behind their decision to launch a petition to the Scottish Parliament calling for the River Clyde to be granted the legal right of personhood. Is it a wild idea or one rooted in existing law with the power to protect the Clyde as an ecosystem and potential to expand citizen access to the river? Could the Clyde become the lifeblood of Glasgow again? Louise and Jude also reflect on responses to the podcast and the petition so far, thanking those who have supported the podcast and their actions. They also share information about other initiatives and campaigns around the Clyde and other rivers. Their reflections end with a glimpse of what is to come in episode four, with an excerpt from a recent lecture given by Louise as part of the St Mungo Festival.
Links to references within this episode:
The Petition to The Scottish Parliament: https://petitions.parliament.scot/petitions/PE2131
Swimmable Cities: https://www.swimmablecities.org/
Keep Scotland Beautiful - Upstream Battle: https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/upstream-battle/
Findhorn, Nairn and Lossie Rivers Trust: https://www.fnlrt.org.uk/
BBC Article ‘ Anger over fee plan for small boats on River Clyde’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgrn0k2lxgwo
St Mungo Festival Lecture: https://stmungofestival.co.uk/2025-1-lecture-one-welsh/
Episode 4 | Run River Run
Episode Four further explores river rights and access to waterways. It opens with a poem by Edwin Morgan read by Marc Cairns of New Practice and ends with a newly commissioned poem by Tawona Sitole, written specially for the podcast. Jude and Louise begin the episode by reflecting on the response to their petition to the Scottish Parliament, which seeks to grant the River Clyde the right to legal personhood. And some positive next steps. They are also joined by those campaigning for enhanced nature rights and greater access to rivers for swimming and leisure. This includes Matt Sykes of Regeneration Projects in Melbourne, Australia and co-founder of the Swimmable Cities initiative. Along with other Glasgow-based contributors working to improve heritage and leisure opportunities along the Clyde.The episode ends with Louise and Jude returning to the River Clyde’s fragmented ownership. They invite listeners to join them at their experimental event for the forthcoming Architecture Fringe on June 21st at the Briggait, Glasgow.
Contributors to this episode are, in order of appearance:
Marc Cairns, New Practice reading ‘Clydegrad’ by Edwin Morgan
Dr Tawona Sitole, poet and lecturer in Creative Practice Education at University of Glasgow reading his poem ‘Run River Run’
Jackson Carlaw, MSP for Eastwood, Glasgow
Paul Sweeney MSP for Glasgow Region
Foysol Choudhry MSP for Lothian Region Fergus Ewing MSP for Inverness and Nairn
Matt Sykes of Regeneration Projects in Melbourne
Australian and co-founder of the Swimmable Cities Initiative
Lucy Janes, University of Stirling
Peter Breslin, Director of Maritime Projects Scotland
Michael McLaughlin, Friends of TS Queen Mary
Jill Robbie, Professor of Property Law and the Environment, University of Glasgow
Presented, researched and co-produced by Jude Barber and Louise Welsh. Recorded, edited and co-produced by Halina Rifai.
Original music by Graham Fagen & Ghetto Priest.
Bonus Episode | Reflections 03
In this bonus episode Louise and Jude discuss ongoing activities around their citizen investigation into fragmented and murky ownership around the River Clyde, including the progress of their petition to the Scottish Parliament, their meeting with Colombian River Guardians of the River Atrato their live Mapathon, forthcoming collaboration with photographer/ filmmaker Chris Leslie and more!
Links:
https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/socialpolitical/research/research-projects/colombiariverstories/
Co-producers and Hosts: Jude Barber & Louise Welsh
Recording and Editing: Halina Rifai
Episode 5 | Journey to the Source
Join Jude and Louise as they journey to the source of the Clyde. In this episode they also explore nature rights, both locally and internationally. They meet Guardians of the River Atrato in Columbia, Monica Feria-Tinta Barrister for the Earth, Lawyer Jamie Whittle and Planner Gillian Dick. Louise and Jude also talk to Scottish Makar Peter McKay and Councillor Ruairi Kelly on their hopes for the Clyde.
Presented, researched and co-produced by Jude Barber and Louise Welsh. Recorded, edited and co-produced by Halina Rifai.
Original music by Graham Fagen & Ghetto Priest.
Quotes about the podcast
“Congratulations - these are absolutely brilliant pieces. It's a tonic from the normal dumbing down that we get on mainstream media. Detailed and clever analysis. Learned so much. Ownership - shameful. Keep going ladies - you are natural broadcasters.”
Dr Diane Waters, Architectural Historian, Historic Environment Scotland
“….I enjoyed listening and I think you have produced something thought provoking.”
Councillor Joe Fagan, Leader of South Lanarkshire Council
“I was listening to your fabulous 'Who Owns the Clyde' podcast last week- it's wonderful!! What a gift to the city.”
Simon Chadwick, Architecture Programmes Leader,
School of Architecture and Landscape, University of Sheffield
“If you haven’t already tuned into ‘Who owns the Clyde?’, give it a listen wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks to Jude Barber and Louise Welsh for a really enjoyable conversation.”
Ross Nimmo, Head of Place, Glasgow City Region
“I just wanted to write over to say I really enjoyed the podcast! I live in Rotterdam now but I am originally from Glasgow. The use of the river here is so so different and it reminds me of Glasgow ever day as the cities are quite similar in my opinion. I’ve seen lots of plans for the Clyde but never understood how they could not be implemented.”