Throughout the 1970’s big John McGhee’s hair hung down to his waist, but in early 1980, all that changed! John, from Blantyre was 23 years old at the time and was upset when the donation tin was stolen from “The County” , a Hamilton Pub he drank in. He kindly decided to raise funds to […]
A fantastic photo of Malcolmwood Farm in the 1910’s or 20s. This was definitely a time before motorised vehicles and kerbs. I’d say pre WW1. Amazed at the amount of farms that whitewashed the visible parts. This picture illustrates that well with the front facade only painted, the stone at the side still exposed. Barnhill, […]
To be published on 4th February 2019 Marion Dixon, who lives abroad shared this wonderful photo, adding, “This is a picture of my father Alexander Boyd Dixon – he’s the baby. He was born at 55 Main St Blantyre on May 19th 1909. The family emigrated in New Zealand when he was 4 years old.” […]
Monday 18th April 1921 was a day Blantyre will remember. But not for any good reason. That day saw multiple thefts, vandalism and serious disturbances in streets and shops from around midday to midnight. Vans parked up in streets that had come from Glasgow were broken into and raided, and some instances the drivers were […]
How times have changed! In December 1921, Robert Henry Clark, the holder of the License for the Westend Bar, Glasgow Road was charged with having sold alcohol to a child under 14 years old. However, the charge wasn’t due to selling the alcohol to a minor as you would imagine. No, it was actually due […]
Wishing all readers here an enjoyable Burns evening tonight. I have a dram arranged in readiness, all the more sweeter for being a Friday! To mark the occasion, I looked out an old photo of my family (The Duncans) who visited Rabbie’s Cottage in Ayrshire in 1925. Pictured at the back with his head peering […]
In August 1921, people over the nation looked forward to the ‘Herman v Higgins’ featherweight championship Boxing fight. What better way to see it, (in those times before television), that to go along to your local picture house and watch with friends. This amazing photo from 1921 exclusively shown here for the first time was […]
Embarking on a promise to everybody here, that as part of a planned book about Blantyre Mining Disaster, I will explore the lives and exclusively tell the stories of every miner who died in the 1877 Blantyre Explosion. This is the remarkable story of James Gold, a miner whose 3 brothers, along with him, died […]