The Blantyre carvings depict three Stations of the Cross on a cliff face overlooking the River Clyde, below the site of the former Blantyre Priory, and across the river from the remains of Bothwell Castle. A number of myths have been presented regarding their origin, some even claiming they were carved by monks during medieval […]
Jane Wright who lives in Melbourne, Australia has a rather fascinating Blantyre heirloom. An ivory walking stick, once owned by “J Jackson Esq, Barnhill, Blantyre.” Jane messaged me, “My Grandmother was named Janet Manson nee Jackson. Born in Scotland, she came to live in Australia, eventually moving into a nursing home at New Farm in […]
I have another little addition to my ever expanding collection of Blantyre memorabilia! This tea caddy dates from 1933 and celebrates the Jubilee Anniversary of Blantyre Co-op Society Ltd (1883-1933). It’s a metal canister which would have stored tea (which it still smells of!). The address of 14 Herbertson Street is featured on the in. […]
A curious if not somewhat amusing story next. In 1921, Robert Meldrum was an asphalt worker, a tenant living at “Rosebank” at Rosebank Avenue, Blantyre. Now, Robert had a small stable at the back of his home and he kept a collection of goats, tending to them, his hobby. One weekend in November that […]
Next time you’re at the David Livingstone Centre, look for this lamppost outside the Cafe at the Africa Pavilion. You’ll notice carefully the words “Blantyre” on the old cast lampost. Below it on the glass pane it says “LMS Railway”. Did you know this lamp was salvaged from an era gone by at Blantyre […]
Eric Hodge has sent these photos in of a “coin” marked “Blantyreworks”. These coins are Mexican 8 Reales (Dollars) and were used at a time when coinage in Britain was scarce (possibly due to the wars with France). These coins are silver, and were overstamped with usually the 5/- mark and used at New […]
By 1892, a trend had formed of giving a Calendar as a Christmas gift, something that still exists today. Artistic calendars showing fine art were considered quite the perfect present and something that could be used all the following year. On Friday 23rd December 1892, Mr McCaffrie, the wine and spirit merchant of Springwell […]
I took this photo on 19th September 2018 during a heavy rain-shower. Coming down the road from Greenhall, i noticed this spectacular double rainbow over Shott. This is an area going through remarkable transformation in 2018. New houses at Greenhall Village surround the walled garden of Shott House, which has again gone up for sale, […]