In the 17th century, Lanarkshire was swept up in Scotland’s deadly witch hunts. Women from Lanark, Hamilton and surrounding villages were accused of consorting with the Devil, blighting crops, and cursing neighbours. Many were imprisoned, tortured, and executed based on little more than suspicion or local grudges. Records show Lanarkshire courts were active participants in this grim chapter, […]
The post expresses gratitude to reader Gerry Kelly for sharing a photo of the Blantyre crew in Brae, Ireland. Gerry identifies his father, Jim Kelly, on the right side of the image and invites others to recognize anyone else in the photograph.
In July 1892, a Blantyre resident criticized the Blantyre Independent Co-Operative Society’s committee for constructing a boundary fence themselves instead of hiring local fencers. The complainant argued this decision unfairly deprived local workers of income and suggested that members should address the issue at the next general meeting to challenge the committee’s authority.
Geranium phaeum, or “dusky crane’s-bill,” is a herbaceous plant native to Europe, known for its dark violet flowers and lobed leaves. Once rare in the UK, it gained attention in 1892 when found on the ruins of Blantyre Priory. It is now cultivated in gardens across the region.
The Blantyre branch of the Irish National Foresters held a successful annual sports day on July 2, 1892, at Castle Park. This friendly society, founded in 1877, promoted Irish nationalism and expanded globally, boasting over a quarter million members by 1914. The event featured various competitions, including football and track races.
Bothwell Castle, located near Blantyre and Uddingston on the River Clyde, is a significant medieval fortress built in the late 1200s. It served as a key stronghold during the Wars of Independence, changing hands between Scots and English, and now stands as a testament to Lanarkshire’s historical turmoil, despite its decay.
I’ve been looking at some other Scottish history which I hope readers will also find interesting. Built in 1785 on the banks of the River Clyde, New Lanark became one of the most important industrial settlements in the world. Under the management of Robert Owen, the cotton mills didn’t just produce cloth—they pioneered workers’ rights. Children were educated instead of exploited, […]