Prior to 1905, Watson Street was merely a roughly formed cul de sac leading from Broompark Road consisting of old properties, not in the best condition. In Summer 1905, a new footway was formed, a narrow path for pedestrians joining Hunthill Road to Watson Street, at a point around three quarters of its length nowadays. […]
Here’s another comparison of photos taken 117 years apart at the same location. This is the top of Broompark Road looking down the street to the north. How incredibly different this looks back in the day. A high stone wall ran down the east side of the road, with some large trees on that side, […]
Two photos taken 117 years apart at exactly the same location. Strangely, Broompark Road carriageway has actually reduced in width over the years to make the pavements wider and provide safer turning for vehicles. The black and white photo is from 1905 taken at the corner of Blakely’s Pub and of course the pub still […]
The funeral procession of the 6 victims of the Auchinraith Colliery disaster trundles up Auchinraith Road towards High Blantyre. Just look at the crowds who turned out to pay their respects! The location is on Auchinraith Road, at the top of Merry’s Rows (Elm Street) which is just out the picture to the left. The […]
If you’ve been away from Blantyre for any length of time recently, you may be surprised to see several large new developments under construction. The town is changing and one notable development is the new flats between Logan Street and Church Street. This great drone picture by Blantyre Drone Works shows the development well in […]
Slag Road – was the former name of Craig Street. It first appeared during the 19th Century. At some point during the 1870’s, a track was formed along the edge of the existing farm field and upon expanding nearby population, became a small road, initially called, “The Slag Road.” Perhaps due to the proximity to the Auchinraith Pit, the name may […]
A little piece of Blantyre news from mid September 1908. On 16th September that year, a local newspaper reported: “The Blantyre street lamps have this week been getting a touch up with dark green paint, but so far there is no sign of the lamps resuming their Winter usefulness. As we have now reached the […]