This is a wonderful photo. From 1937 or 1938, it is the only view I’ve ever seen photographed from the original, suspension bridge in Blantyre (closed in 1949). Looking downstream, you can see the weir, and beyond that to the buildings is the background, where the current bridge is located. The flat area the man is walking on the left used to be a large mill building of several storeys, right up until its demolition in 1903.

The more recognisable buildings of Shuttle Row are at the top left. It’s hard to imagine, but this photo is now more than 80 years old!

Thank you to Gordon Cook for this photo.

Featuring Blantyre Project Social Media with permission. Strictly not for use by others on or offline, our visitors said:

Graeme Walker Shows the weir before the dam head was raised for the electrification of the mill. The land behind the palisade fence on the left (site of the mill buildings), was used for allotment plots up till the early 1960’s.