Maryhill is a residential area situated in the north west of the city of Glasgow. The name is derived from Mary Hill, who was the owner of the Gairbraid Estate who feud land to the Forth and Clyde Canal Company on condition that her name be given to the town which she hoped would result from the development of this enterprise.

The constituencyincludes the whole of the Canal ward of Glasgow City Council (formerly Milton, Ashfield, Keppochhill, North Kelvin and part of Firhill), most of the Maryhill/Kelvin ward (formerly Summerston, Maryhill and Wyndford),and part of the Hillhead ward (formerly Woodlands and Firhill).

The Forth & Clyde Canal now runs through the centre of Maryhill. The canal has recently been re-opened as part of the millennium project, which should encourage tourism along the canal. The Maryhill basin at locks 21 - 25 provides an ideal stopping off point for those wishing to visit Maryhill and the surrounding area. The River Kelvin also runs through part of the constituency.

The Maryhill Burgh Halls recall the period when Maryhill was an independent burgh before it became part of Glasgow in 1891. There were twenty stained glass panels in the halls, depicting the trades and industries of the regions. As these have great social history significance the Museums and Art Galleries purchased them for the People's Palace collection.

Located within the constituency is the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Queens Cross Church, now home to the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society. Another Mackintosh building is the nearby Ruchill Church Hall. St Agnes' chapel in Lambhill was designed by Pugin, who assisted in the design and building of the Palace of Westminster, which includes the House of Commons and House of Lords.

The Constituency is also home to two libraries, Woodside and Maryhill, built by the Glasgow Corporation following a gift of £100,000 from Andrew Carnegie for the provision of fourteen district libraries.

Maryhill Barracks was demolished in 1961 and became the Wyndford Housing Estate. The guardroom has, however, been retained and is in use as the estate office.

There is a bird sanctuary at Possil Loch and several farms within the Summerston area of the constituency (the largest number of farms in any Glasgow Constituency). The course of the Antonine Wall also runs through the Summerston area where there is the site of a Roman Camp and a Roman Fort adjoining the wall.

The constituency has a rich football history. Partick Thistle Football Club, former Scottish Cup and League Cup winners, is based in the Firhill area of the constituency. In 2001 Thistle celebrated its 125th anniversary and also won promotion to the First Division.

Maryhill FC, whose most famous professionals were David Meiklejohn of Rangers, and Danny McGrain and Tommy Burns of Celtic, has its home in Lochburn Park near the centre of Maryhill whilst Glasgow Perthshire FC is based at Keppoch Park in Possilpark. Both are members of the Glasgow Junior League.

A former local team is Maryhill Harps, originally Maryhill Hibs, they became defunct in 1966 when their ground in Kilmun Street was taken over for new housing. Former Harps players include Bertie Auld and Dunky McKay both of whom played for Celtic and gained three and fourteen Scottish International caps respectively.