The buildings were erected on the site of the city butts, where the burghers of medieval Glasgow had practised archery and were required to gather at the time of the wapinshaws (weapon shows), to present their arms and armour for inspection.

Social unrest throughout Europe had culminated in the French Revolution of 1789 and the ensuing war with France and there had been riots in the area during the weavers' strike of 1787.

[3] In 1796/7, in response to threats of a general uprising in Scotland and the establishment of a Scottish Republic, mainly due to the Militia Act in which the government had passed a law conscripting able bodied Scots males, between nineteen and twenty-three years old, for military service, the barracks played a central role in accommodating troops.

[11] The return of the 100th Regiment to the United Kingdom occurred on 31 October 1868, with 51 sergeants, 34 corporals, 15 drummers, 431 privates and 26 officers.

Such was the spread of disease due to soldiers sleeping with the "sporting ladies" of the town that certain wards of the Glasgow Royal Infirmary were used only to treat the military.

[16] A rifle range consisting of a series of brick walls/foundations with sand pits dug out of the concrete floor behind the walls was located in the South Tunnel.