1971 Aerial Photo of High Blantyre from Robert Brownlie

We turn now to 1971. Photographed from above is the commencement of the new housing estate at Jerusalem, High Blantyre. Of course this is the affectionately nicknamed housing estate which has white homes and initially had flat roofs. It did once look very middle Eastern.

In this photo, the East Kilbride Expressway had not yet been built (although the Crossbasket to East Kilbride section had). The remains of Dixon’s Pits 2 and 3 are visible on what is now the ground of Hamilton Technology Park and near Raeburn Brick.

Of note also are the Timber homes at Auchenraith, opening out on to High Blantyre Road, which is today not accessible from those homes. However, the defining thing about this picture is definitely the building site and construction work of the Jerusalem homes. Next to Priestfield Farm (still visible in the photo) the fields are being reprofiled to accommodate many, many new homes. You can just make out foundations and construction bases on the homes at the lower end of the site.

Thanks to Robert Brownlie for sharing this interesting photo.