City Lights (BBC Scotland) is a comedy made by BBC Scotland between 1984 and 1991. It follows Willie Melvin, a bank-teller at Strathclyde Savings Bank (SSB) with aspirations of becoming a famous writer.
The sitcom is set in Glasgow, and ran for a total of 39 episodes across 6 series. In this post we track down some of the external filming locations used for City Lights (BBC Scotland).
Strathclyde Savings Bank
A location we see quite often throughout the sitcom is Strathclyde Savings Bank (SSB) where Wille occasionally works. Even when he is employed there the amount of work he does is questionable.
The externals for Strathclyde Savings Bank were filmed at 20 Kildrostan St, Glasgow G41 4LU. The location is today a Brasserie but still very much recognisable.
Later in the program another location is used for the externals of Strathclyde Savings Bank (SSB).
These were filmed on Princes Square, 69 Buchanan St, Glasgow G1 3JN. Whilst this location has changed quite a bit over the years, the archway and carvings make the location very recognisable.
Series 1 Ep 1 – Talent
It’s Brian and Vicky’s wedding but Willie is busy telling everyone about the story he has sold.
The Church used in this episode was the New Kilpatrick Parish Church, 28 Kirk Pl, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 3RT. You can not really access it on Google Maps but you can see a good photo of it here.
Series 1 Ep 3
In this episode we see Willie go into a newsagent to buy an adult magazine.
This was filmed inside WHSMITH – 48 Argyle St, Glasgow G2 8AD.
Series 1 Episode 6
Willie is convinced that he’s allowed his dads urn to have been stolen. Trying to replace it before his mum returns he scours Glasgow looking for an identical urn to match that of his dads. In this shot we see him coming out of Queens Cross Funeral Directors.
The funeral directors was a genuine business but has unfortunately now closed. It was located on the corner of Northpark Street and Maryhill Road as shown below.
Series 2 Episode 1
Willie has decided to move into his own flat away from his mum. His mum has also decided with Willie gone it’s time to downsize.
Willie’s new flat.
Willie’s new flat is in Blackfriars Court.
Externals for Willie’s flat were filmed at Blackfrairs Court, 23 Blackfriars St, Glasgow G1 1BL
Willie’s Mums New Home
Externals were filmed for Willie’s Mums New Home at Linnpark Court, Netherlee. Built in 1988 it is a retirement housing complex.
Linnpark Court, Linnpark Avenue, Netherlee, Glasgow, G44 3PL
Series 2 Episode 4
Janice gets dropped off by the taxi and shortly after paying for the taxi gets robbed. Unknowingly Willie helps the offender get away with Janice’s bag.
These scenes were filmed on the corner of Wall Street and Blackfrairs Street, Glasgow.
Series 2 Episode 5
Training Course
Willie is sent to The Hearthstane House Hotel on a Bank training course.
The location used for Hearthstane House Hotel was Aikenhead House, 325 Carmunnock Rd, Glasgow G44 5HL
In episode 2 we see Janice leaving Mount Florida train station in Glasgow.
This was filmed outside the McLennan Street entrance/exit of Mount Florida station as shown below.
Jewellers
Just after leaving Mount Florida station Janice spots Willie’s mums fancy man entering a jewellers and pawning a ladies watch.
This was filmed on the corner of McLennan Street and Cathcart Road as shown on the Street view below.
Following his departure from the Jewellers Janice watches Willie’s mums fancy man go to the bookmakers opposite. If you turn the street view above around 180 degrees you will see the building that was used as the bookmakers.
Series 3 Episode 1
Series 3 starts with William doing a book signing at John Smith & Son book store in Glasgow. Unfortunately, the book signing is just in Williams head.
The book signing was filmed at John Smith & Son, 57-61 St Vincent Glasgow G2 5TF. Unfortunately this bookshop closed a number of years ago and is now home to a Five Guys restaurant.
Church for Willie and Janice’s Wedding
In this episode we see Willie and Janice preparing to take their vows in church. Unfortunately, Janice has second thoughts and never turns up to the church.
The Church used in this episode was the New Kilpatrick Parish Church, 28 Kirk Pl, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 3RT.
You can not really access it on Google Maps but you can see a good photo of it here.
Post wedding Tram & Theme Park
After being stood up at the church Chancer takes William onto the tram to the theme park to cheer him up.
This was filmed adjacent to the River Clyde. While the landscape has changed a lot of the years, the circular building to the left of the screenshot and the red brick (former tram depot) to the right are still present today.
The Bank Pub
Later on in the same episode we see Willie and Chancer having a few drinks in The Bank pub, a location that pops up in a number of episodes.
The externals for The Bank pub were filmed at The Bank 35-41 Queen Street, Glasgow. G1 3EF Unfortunately, The Bank has long since closed.
Series 3 Episode 4
Episode 4 starts with Brian and Adam playing golf with Willie acting as Adam’s caddy.
These scenes were filmed at The Eastwood Golf Club, Muirshield Rd, Glasgow G77 6RX
Series 3 Episode 5
Willi sneaks past security to see Scotia House Publishers.
This was filmed at 50 Wellington St, Glasgow G2 6HJ
Ambulance and Hospital
As Willie is leaving the publishers he takes a tumble down the stairs. We then see him leaving in an ambulance and arriving at hospital.
These scenes were filmed on Argyle Street and Dumbarton Road. The hospital used was the Western Infirmary, which has since been demolished, but visible on this older Street View below.
Do you know of any other Filming Locations used in City Lights?
If you know of any other filming locations used in City Lights please comment below or drop me a message 🙂