Hugh Macdonald

Hugh MacDonald (4 April 1817 – 16 March 1860) was a Scottish journalist, poet and author from Glasgow. He wrote for the newspaper the Glasgow Citizen for many years under the pen name 'Caleb'. He is best known for his book Rambles Round Glasgow, published in 1854 by Thomas Murray and Son; a version with modern footnotes was published in 2023.

Life MacDonald was born on Rumford Street in Bridgeton, Glasgow on 4 April 1817. He was one of 11 children. His parents had moved from the Highlands to find work in the Glasgow textile industry, and MacDonald's father worked as a dyer in the Monteith and Company works in the Barrowland area. MacDonald started work as a 'tearer' (junior assistant) at the same factory at the age of seven.

MacDonald was a member of the City Club, a literary and artistic gathering which met in the Bank Tavern in Glasgow, MacDonald joined the staff of the paper in 1849. He wrote articles under the pen name Caleb, many of them of on social or political issues, The book was very popular MacDonald followed it up in 1857 with Days at the Coast, a travelogue of locations on the Firth of Clyde, which was also well received.

MacDonald became sub-editor of the Glasgow Citizen. He later went on to write for the Glasgow Morning Journal and the Glasgow Sentinel, and edited the Glasgow Times. the location of his first 'ramble'. This originally stood on Gleniffer Braes, Paisley, but was moved to Glasgow Green in 1881. The fountain was designed by John Mossman A memorial water stoop stands on Gleniffer Braes, Paisley, It was erected in 1883 by the Paisley Old Weavers Society. One of the entrances to Glasgow Green is known as 'Hugh MacDonald's Gate'. It is situated at the corner of King's Drive and Arcadia Street. A paving slab at that gate commemorates his book Rambles Round Glasgow.