Another wonderful previously unseen photo! This time, it’s the shady and leafy alcove at Auchentibber Quoiting Green, within the former Italian Gardens.
Incredibly, this super clear photo is around 110 years old, an image lifted from a glass plate as photographed by David Ritchie, of High Blantyre. The alcove was next to the former Auchentibber Inn, this whole scene now woodland behind the Auchentibber War Memorial.
You can just imagine sitting in this alcove, (is that Rabbie Burns in the middle on his marble plinth?) watching the games, or enjoying some shade. From what I can see these seats were south facing into the sun, the eventual canopy likely providing some cover.
Featuring Blantyre Project Social Media with permission. Strictly not for use by others on or offline, our visitors said:
Blantyre Project this area is now behind the Auchentibber War Memorial, although today its only woodland.
Jessie Caldow The clarity of this old photo is amazing!
Blantyre Project you don’t know the half of it Jessie! These old negative plates are in such great resolution, they are similar to some modern cameras. Where subjects have been immobile such as those pictured, i can zoom in on individual leaves! Each of the 344 new Pictures in this collection have similar clarity.
Bob Finnigan Does the bust still exist.
Marian Maguire What a lot of beautiful places and buildings Blantyre has lost.
Hi Elaine – thanks for your comment. Books with sections on Auchentibber can be bought here. If you look for the journey in time series in my shop. https://blantyreproject.com/blantyre-shop/ all proceeds go to local good causes. The land is privately owned now but perhaps one day a restoration project could take place.
Is there a book I can buy with pictures of Auchentibber my dad was born there.. It would be wonderful isfa plan could be put in place to try and salvage anything that is left of the gardens and qoiting green. Who owns this land now does anyone know .