I’m pretty sure this great photo is late 1950’s or early 1960s (as the Kirkton housing estate in the background is already there and looks pretty new). Even then, 6 or 7 decades ago this prominent old High Blantyre tree was massive.

The openair ‘iron duke’ toilet in the wall underneath the tree must have been pretty smelly to walk past. The figures are known to be Jimmy Hartley and Eileen Scanlon.

With Priestfield Hall recently renamed in honour of June Stewart, we must be careful going forward as a community not to entirely lose the name ‘Priestfield’ in this area.

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

Bill Graham I don’t live in Scotland now is the tree still there?
Blantyre Project absolutely!
Bill Graham Blantyre Project wow, it was huge back in the 60’s when I was just a small kid.
Gary Scott Cut the grass around it many a time when I worked with the council