1718 Engraving of Blantyre Priory
This is a copper engraving plate dating from 1718. To the left Bothwell Castle on the left of the photo is Blantyre Priory, perhaps one of the best indications as to how the building looked. In recent weeks, I’ve been collecting all descriptions, both visualisations and narrative about the Priory with the hope of showing a sketch of how it once looked when complete. I’m by no means any sort of artist, but think I have enough to show a crude depiction of the sort of dimensions and style of the building and i haven’t seen anybody do this yet.
The engraving is titled ‘Prospectus Arcis Bothwellae. The prospect of Bothwell Castle. This plate is most humbly inscribed to the Honble. Brigadier Dalzel.’
For now though, this plate was a great discovery. It is one of the oldest known records of how our oldest building, The Priory looked.
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Chris Ladds Brilliant article Paul. The John Slezer engraving here Paul is even older. At least as early as the book it appeared in: Theatrum Scotiae, 1693