1908 Organ Grinders at one of Blantyres Lodge Houses

This postcard dating from around 1908, illustrates two of the methods used by Blantyre people to raise funds for good causes. Similar means were employed in later years for the fundraising for the “Cottage Hospital”. Organ grinders collected cash, while postcards featuring them such as this one , were sold to raise money too. Specially produced postcards were sold to raise money for a good cause on at least one other occasion in Blantyre.

The location has always puzzled me and to be honest still does. I’m convinced though it is a lodge house. By a process of elimination, if indeed this photo is of Blantyre at all, I suspect it may be one of the lodge houses of former grand homes, either at at the entrance to Calderglen or is one of the two lodge houses once at Blantyreferme (one near the bend in the road and another across from the entrance to Fin Me Oot). The size and shape of it fit in well with the features marked on old maps.