The area boundaries are the River Kelvin to the west (Partick is on the other bank), the River Clyde to the south (opposite Govan) and the grounds of Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum to the north; the eastern boundary is not officially defined due to forming part of a continuous area of fairly dense urban development, with the historic neighbourhood of Kelvinhaugh lying between Yorkhill and Finnieston towards Glasgow city centre.

In 1868, while workmen were trenching ground on the summit of the hill, where faint indications of earthworks had long existed, they found Roman remains.

The westernmost section of Over Newton became the property of Robert Fulton Alexander, a merchant who, in 1805, erected a mansion on the hill.

In later years he worked from a studio in Yorkhill House and on his death his collection was left to the City of Glasgow.

In 1907, Daniel McCulloch Crerar-Gilbert of Yorkhill sold the estate to Glasgow's Royal Hospital for Sick Children.