1821 Sketch by Mary Paterson of Calderwood Glen

In early May 2015, East Kilbride historian Chris Ladds, showed me a sketch that had ben sent to him that same month. Incredibly, the sketch dated in 1821 is approaching 200 years old and in colour, features Calderwood Glen. Drawn by a Mary Paterson, who allegedly was a nanny or teacher at Calderwood Castle, the sketch looks downstream, with Calderwood Castle on the left.

I’m showing it here as the right had side of the picture features the Blantyre Side of the Rotten Calder River. There in the background is Craigneith Castle, in its full glory, flying a flag. The painting is important for it was known that Maxwell, the Baronet of Calderwood Castle was beautifying the Calderwood Glen around this time, with the addition of doocots, bridges, gardens and of course Craigneith Castle, most likely a romantic folly to the main castle. Its a nice, early record of the fringes of Blantyre and I’m sure Chris will have lots more to say about the drawing.