I don’t think I’d seen this photo before until High Blantyre resident, Jean McLean shared it.

It’s from 70 years ago, a full year even before the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. This is the River Clyde and the construction of the David Livingstone memorial Bridge at Blantyre, replacing an older bridge which was located further upstream behind the camera. It’s my understanding that the scaffold is around the towers for final painting. The vantage point being where later the hydro building and salmon ladder would be built.

At the time this photo was taken in the early 50’s, this spot was still popular for swimming and cooling down in the water during summer months. A reminder though, the water gets deep fast and there are still large currents especially downstream of the bridge.