This photo was taken in the 1910s or early 1920s. Pictured is the Village Sweet Shop in Mid Row, and in the photo are sisters Miss Margaret Hamilton and her sister Annie.

In 1915, Margaret Hamilton was the young proprietor of houses 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 Mid or Middle Row. The shop was located at number 10 Mid Row, where Annie lived and it also doubled up as a dairy. They probably made many of their sweets although clearly from the window, branded goods were also available. Margaret herself, lived at a house named “Lyndhurst” in Station Road.

According to the 1915 and 1920 valuation rolls Angus McQuarrie also owned a shop next door at number 12 Mid Row, leasing out in 1920 to David Powell, a flesher (butcher).

From “Blantyre Explained” by Paul Veverka (c)
With thanks to Gordon Cook for the great photo.

Brian Niven added, “ref Margaret Hamilton, Hamilton Place, Blantyre Works.
miss Hamilton was my wifes gg granmother , She came from a farming family and fell pregnant to boy friend from another farming family, the familys fell out and forbade them to marry. She gave birth to a daughter my wifes grandmother, Miss Hamilton died aged 51 without a will her estate passed to a relative in New Zealand as her daughter was a bastard and the estate ended up with Andrew Hamilton. who was given the estate by the New Zealander as her daughter was entitled to nothing as per the law. What a evil way to treat a person, was it a crime to be born ?”