1870 Bothwell Castle by Thomas Annan
A photo by Thomas Annan, and an old photo at that! Taken in 1870, the subject is obviously the Bothwell Castle and River Clyde. The old negative plates offer great clarity and resolution over towards the ferry crossing on the Blantyre side, a little upstream from the Priory.
Gordon Cook once gave me some more information about the ferry crossing, which led across to a boathouse on the Bothwell side. Gordon added, “this was a very private affair. I believe this was for the sole use of the gamekeeper or gillie, employed by Lord Home to look after the Priory policies. Although for a long time owned by Lord Blantyre, the land was leased to Lord Home, they used to have wood auctions twice a year. This boat would go straight across to another jetty on the other side, just down the hill from Bothwell Castle.”
The photo I had was very faded, so Alex Rochead has kindly shared his excellent copy here.