Mary Queen of Scots visit

Another noble visitor to Blantyre was Mary (Queen of Scots). The Annals of Blantyre book 1885 commented, “The old road along which Queen Mary passed on her way from Hamilton Palace to Cathcart Castle, on the day previous to the battle of Langside, intersects the property, and there is a beautiful spring of water in an adjoining glen still known by the name of Queen Mary’s Well, at which that unfortunate lady is said to have rested. Near the same spot was found, some years ago, a clay cinerary urn, of the form commonly held to be Roman.”

The spring is recorded in history as being the well at Dysholm, the cottage located o the west bank of the Calder. (Near Millheugh Estate). Mary most probably needed water for her horses and was closely followed by many servants and associates. (pictured above).

Dysholm was located near Malcolmwood Farm, but became ruined and was derelict at the turn of the 1900s. Written off, in the Winter 1903, Dysholm cottage was burned down deliberately and with all account, ceremoniously. During 1830 – 1861 it was occupied by Jane Pettigrew and her family. Jane’s death is recorded in Cambuslang from dysentry on 10th January 1860 aged 77. During her time in Blantyre, she displayed quite the talent by leaving us all with the legacy of this poem about her beloved cottage:

Dyesholm

Sweet Dyesholm, Sweet Dyesholm,
thy flowery haunts I love to roam,
thy woods, thy glens, thy mossy dell
Sweet Dyesholm I love thee well.

The brawling Cawder’s rapid tide,
around fertile holms doth glide,
and murmurs there in gentle tone,
I love thee well, Sweet Dyesholm.

Decked like a bride thy hawthorn fair
with grateful fragrance fills the air,
wild flowers whose colours far outvie,
the costliest gems of deepest dye.

Thy charms to me grow still more clear,
in Summer gay and Winter drear,
I’m bound to thee in fairy spell,
Sweet Dyesholm I love thee well.

Each warbling bird, each humming bee,
each flower, each shrub, each sprawling tree,
swell out the chorus loud and long
I love thee well, Sweet Dyesholm.

Jane Pettigrew, Malcolmswood. 1865