what is a "wally close" ?

Question

I am doing an essay on tenements and i need to find out what a "wally close" is.

Answer 1

Oakfield Avenue was built c.1885 on the corner with Great Western Road. This four-storeyed tenement with shops below is typical of working class and some middle class housing in Glasgow at this time. Tenement flats were accessed from a common stair. The photograph shows the stairs in the tiled close. The walls are covered in plain cream ceramic tiles, with a band of raised ornamental green tiles above. The rest of the walls have a painted grey band with whitewash above. This type of tiled wall decoration is known as a 'wally close', from the Scots word 'wally' which means pale ceramic. 'Wally closes' were found in high class tenements. People were very proud of them, and cleaned them communally on Friday nights.
Wally closes

Answer 2

A wally-close is a tiled entrance to tenement. It comes from the Scots word 'wally' which means pale ceramic.
They were found in 'high class' tenements and the people were very proud of them, communially cleaning them on Friday nights.

The most exotic example of a wally-close in Scotland was at Kizil Mansions at the corner of Glasgow Road and Whitecrook Street. James Dempsey built the tenement block in 1912. The tiles he acquired to decorate the close are believed to be the work of William de Morgan [1839-1917] a specialist in tiles, stained glass and pottery and member of the Arts and Crafts Movement.

You can find out a bit more at:
http://www.theclydebankstory.com/story_TCSA05.php

Also, the info below was found at http://www.rls.org.uk/database/record.php?usi=000-000-001-409-L which also had photos of wally-closes:
Oakfield Avenue was built c.1885 on the corner with Great Western Road. This four-storeyed tenement with shops below is typical of working class and some middle class housing in Glasgow at this time. Tenement flats were accessed from a common stair.

Answer 3

traditional Scottish tenement " (entrance stairway) tile. " Wally" Close

Answer 4

a wally close is a close which is tiled inside mostly high-class closes have these

hope this helps

Maria xx

Answer 5

all of the answers so far are very accurate, and to this day the tennants still religiously clean them, nice to know people have done their research proper.