It’s one of Scotland’s most treasured arts venues, with possibly the largest neon sign in the UK.

A recognisable home for musicians around the world, the Barrowland Ballroom has a history as colourful as its sign emblazoned on the Gallowgate.

Repairs were carried out on the iconic sign earlier this week, more than 80 years since the venue first lit up the east end of Glasgow.

Here are a few points you may not know about its past.

At the turn of the century, a collective of traders established in the east end in an area dubbed The Barras.

The name is said to originate from a 12-year-old girl called Margaret Russell, whose penchant for business began while looking after a fruit barrow that belonged to her mother’s friend.

Margaret set up a business in Calton with her husband James McIver, where they rented horses and carts to traders, and eventually expanded to rent static barrows on Moncur Street – now the site of the Barras.

The ballroom itself was apparently built by the McIvers where they would host dances for the stallholders every Christmas – it officially opened in 1934.

Among the first acts to perform regularly was leading Glasgow dance band Billy McGregor and the Gaybirds. They would be followed in years to come by the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, The Smiths, David Bowie, The Clash, Oasis and the Foo Fighters.

The neon sign was originally a man pushing a barrow, which changed after the venue was extended in 1938 due to popularity.

One of the first blows to the Barrowland was the removal of the sign during the Second World War, after Nazi propaganda broadcast on radio threatened to bomb the venue.

Then in 1958, just months after Margaret McIver died, a fire destroyed a large portion of the building – it reopened in the 1960s.

The venue also has a link to some of Glasgow’s grizzly and most notorious murders.

In the late 1960s, three young women - Patricia Docker, Jemima McDonald and Helen Puttock - were found murdered after a night at the Barrowlands. The first victim was found naked and strangled 500 yards from her four-year-old son.

The serial killer was dubbed Bible John, after he was heard quoting the Christian text.

Theories emerged linking the culprit to serial killer Peter Tobin, who is now serving life in prison but was not found to be linked with the Bible John murders.

In 2013, former police officer Paul Harrison claimed the person in charge of the Bible John investigation had come to believe the killer was actually a colleague but was told to forget this line of inquiry.

The venue is undoubtedly close to the hearts of Scottish artists of all dispositions, many of whom owe elements of their career to the Barrowland.

Simple Minds filmed the video for their 1983 hit single Waterfront at the venue, for instance.

The Barras market itself was what inspired Billy Connolly to become a comedian.

In an interview with the BBC, Connolly recalled the street performer who would appear at the market on a Saturday – his earliest memories of the joy of entertainment.

Connolly said: "There were men who did things, tricks. Guys would escape out of bags all trained up. It was a great place to be - like a medieval fairground.

"There was a guy called Bennett - and I think he's the reason I'm a comedian - and he was really funny. I suppose it would be regarded by middle class people now as trash. He one day gave me a sandwich - it was toast and corned beef, I'll never forget it - and that was the day I became a comedian."

After years of world-renowned musicians walking through its doors, the Barrowland remains a great inspiration to artists of every disposition.

Highland painter Claire Innes recently hosted an exhibition titled We Built This City, which featured work inspired by the most iconic buildings in Glasgow.

Then there’s the artwork surrounding the venue itself.

In the lead up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the Barrowland became a focal point for tourists after the launch of the Album Pathway - a homage to more than 2000 musicians who performed at the venue between 1983 and 2013.

In the past year alone, the 2100-capacity venue has seen The Maccabees, Gun, a reunion of the Bay City Rollers and Muse grace the stage.

The latter had fans overjoyed outside the venue in a meet and greet before the gig.

Music fans can look forward to the likes of Pete Doherty, Jamie Lawson and Scots pop legends Deacon Blue on the Barrowland stage in the coming year.