Not to be confused by the farm of the same name, this is “Craigknowe“, 2 homes on Auchinraith Road, pictured pre-1909, not long after it was built.
The houses are still there today at 163 / 165 Auchinraith Road right at the very top near the junction of Main Street. This fantastic photo was sent in by readers, Drew Fisher and Kate Prowse. It shows William Frame and his wife Isabella at the front along with their daughters, Kate’s granny and grandpa. Drew’s grandmother Mary and her one of her sisters (either Margaret who emigrated to New Zealand or Jean who married Jim Roberts of Herbertson St.)
Always wanting to add something to photos that are sent in, I would comment that this was a time when many homes were built on Auchinraith Road, commonly detached or semi detached cottages, not unlike this one. They offered good standards of accommodation, with close proximity to busy places of employment and shops.
Built between 1902 and 1904, Craigknowe was actually 2 houses, one slightly larger than the other, belonging to John Galloway, a miner and William Frame. William had died prior to WW1, the house passing to his widow Isabella. It would have overlooked glass houses and a large nursery at the time. The introduction of postal addresses gave the houses address 93 and 95 Auchinraith Road, though this changed in the late 1920’s to 163 and 165, addresses still there today. Almost all the old stone, existing homes in Auchinraith Road initially had separate names, some still using them today.
Kate also sent in more modern photos as attached, adding, “The 1979 photo has Dick & Beth Fisher, Margaret & Jim Frame, Isobel & Jim (?). The 1997 photo is of me and my husband visiting from Australia, Dick & Beth Fisher, Bill & Jean Galloway, and Jean Cuthbert”
Today, Craigknowe no longer has a large chimney at the front and now has dormer windows, but its distinctive, attractive features like the decorative lintols are still there and 120 years later, is still a nice, family home.