The important Gallowgate road runs from Glasgow Cross to Parkhead and includes The Barras,[1] but only a small length of it is in the Gallowgate neighbourhood, the boundaries of which are Abercromby Street/Bellgrove Street to the west (opposite the Calton district), Fielden Street/Millerston Street to the east (at the Forge Retail Park—which is roughly on the site of the former Camlachie neighbourhood) and Crownpoint Road to the south (adjoining the Mile End industrial estate, which is part of the Bridgeton district).

The neighbourhood's northern boundary is the North Clyde Line railway with Dennistoun beyond, linked by a series of bridges.

However, the streets where they were built are much older, having been at the heart of a vibrant and densely populated industrial community in the East End that was largely swept away in a slum clearance program.

[8][9] Another local landmark, the art deco style Bellgrove Hotel (a homeless hostel) is also located on the north side.

[12] St Mungo's Academy – a secondary school completed in 1976 to replace the original campus in the Townhead district – and the Crownpoint Sports Centre[13] (home of the Shettleston Harriers athletics club)[14] and its playing fields are on the south side of the road, along with St Anne's RC Primary School and some modern apartment blocks.