The Chapel Eddy

The Chapel Eddy was a local name well known in Blantyre and Bothwell in the 1800’s. An eddy is a vortex of water, essentially a whirlpool. The Chapel Eddy was a hole in the River Clyde on the Northern Parish Boundary, to the North East of Blantyreferme. The hole was about 25 feet deep, having a constant eddy. It was well known to fishermen and generally a dangerous place and one to avoid. The name was taken from a chapel which is said to have stood where the slopes of where the Clydesdale Junction Railway is now – about 2 chains (120 foot) from the side of the river in Bothwell parish. During 1849, the open spring was said to be strongly impregnated with iron. It bore the local name “Chapel Eddy Well” while open. The well was located adjacent to the river and when flooded caused a whirlpool vortex.

During 1849 the well was covered over due to the construction of the Blantyre-Glasgow Railway. The name Chapel Eddy fell off the history books, forgotten in time. Today, the proper eddy is on the Blantyre side of the water, but isn’t caused so much by the old well below the water, but is a dangerous stretch of water due to the the first railway arch. Since the bridge was built in the mid 1800’s, there is as great an eddy at each arch as the old “Chapel Eddy”. A final word of caution. This is not something i would recommend visiting. The waters are dangerous at this point in the river and fast flowing. I’ve included a nice aerial picture of it here, so you can view from the comfort of your home. I’ll get a nice calm Summer picture of the Eddy for you later this year.