This photo was taken by High Blantyre photographer David Ritchie around 1905.
At that time, the Neilson family had laid out tennis courts at the front of the house. The popular sport of lawn tennis was played often by the gentry and was especially popular amongst young women. A popular and arising sport of the time, adding a tennis court to your ‘country mansion’ was an noteworthy accessory for the wealthy!
Crossbasket House was still well maintained at this time, despite its age. The Neilson family were Iron and Coalmasters and would go on to own Summerlee Iron foundry and Spittal Collieries. Their wealth coming not just from the hardship of miners efforts, but also from the growing need for iron for Britain’s expanding shipping industry, structures and supporting the Industrial Revolution.
I suspect David had permission for this photo. Setting up his camera on the elevated ground within the grounds of this private residence. Capturing the house in its entirety, the grounds immaculate.
