Cowlairs is a residential area in north Glasgow. It lies north of Sighthill and south east of Possilpark: in the south western corner of Springburn.
The area was previously the centre of Glasgow's rail industry until the North British Rail Company closed for business in the late 1960s, leaving many locals unemployed. Slum clearances in Springburn were common as the district's streets of pre 1919 housing were earmarked for demolition in 1973 as Springburn was awarded Comprehensive Development status. Most of Cowlairs was demolished and lay derelict for many years until investment at the turn of the century seen the area rebuilt.