Behind the Hype: Meet some of the Southside’s influencers
From daily vlogs to street interviews and food reviews, Glasgow’s influencer scene is rapidly expanding – using social media to curate an online identity that connects people across Glasgow and beyond. We met some of the people behind the accounts.
By Molly Adams | photos by Fernanda Welsh Peña
Shauna McGregor
Moving into a rundown flat on Victoria Road, Shauna decided to document the renovation of her new home on Instagram. This marked the first step in Shauna’s career as a content creator: “I was just trying to have fun with it", she said.
When Covid-19 hit, Shauna took advantage of the opportunity to work from home, dedicating more time to her social media content: “I was a bit trapped in the house, so being able to flex creatively from home was a bonus.”
Today, Shauna has over 15,000 Instagram followers, creating an array of weekend vlogs, from styling, to fashion inspiration and DIY renovations of her newest home in Shawlands.
Along with her freelance stylist work, Shauna is now a full-time creator. Balancing these two streams of employment can be challenging, and working from home presents difficulties: “Sometimes it can be hard to stick to a routine. In other forms of work, you have someone telling you what to do or checking in – with this, you don’t have that.”
Despite some challenges, Shauna values having the freedom to create the content she wants when she wants.
The Southside Scrannerz – Carmen and Robbie
Instagram: @the_southside_scrannerz
TikTok: @thesouthsidescrannerz
On a hot summer’s day six years ago, couple Carmen and Robbie were enjoying a few drinks in the beer garden of The Church on The Hill, when they decided to create The Southside Scrannerz page.
The pair aimed to support small local businesses through the page by sharing their favourite food spots in the Southside. The first locations were Toro Coffee and Caesars pizza – when it was located in McNeill’s.
Southside Scrannerz allows Carmen and Robbie to spend quality time together amidst their busy work schedules. They both still work full-time jobs in marketing and residential care, so the page is a passion project they enjoy in their spare time: “We like to post things that make us happy – a beer in a good boozer, a New York style bagel or a hidden authentic Italian shop,” they explain.
Carmen and Robbie’s Southside Scrannerz page has proven successful on both Instagram and TikTok but the couple aren’t concerned about the numbers. They love the online community, the people they’ve met and are deeply grateful for the amazing opportunities they’ve had: “Times can be tough at the minute, we hope this food page might bring a bit of happiness to some people, whether that's getting inspiration for a nice walk or a good sando” (sandwich).
Supper and a Can – Giovanni
Giovanni’s interest in content creation began when he managed the social media account of the shoe shop Size? in Glasgow back in 2023.
Enjoying content creation, Giovanni decided to create his own page: Supper and a Can.
Inspired by the style of YouTube creators, Amelia Dimoldenberg‘s ‘Chicken Shop Date’ and First We Feast’s Hot Ones, Supper and a Can follows a similar talk show format. Until recently guests met presenter, Giovanni, at Val D’oro chip shop to share a chippy as they tell stories from their lives and careers: “I wanted to create something that people my age could watch, laugh and relate to,” Giovanni notes.
Many Scottish creatives have been guests, including comedian Karen Dunbar from Chewin’ the Fat, TikToker Caz Milligan and most recently Scottish streamer, MarleyThirteen.
Giovanni aims to use Supper and a Can as a platform for Scottish voices to highlight the talent and creativity the country is home to: “I hate when people say there's nothing here, that's not true. There are so many people working really hard to build something.”
Recently, Giovanni cut ties with Val D’Oro, opting to no longer film Supper and a Can at the premise after they hosted a press conference for the right-wing political party, Reform UK. He embraces the change and is excited for Supper and a Can’s future in a new location.