Let’s backtrack a little to Mr. James McLelland. James if you recall was renting a house at McLelland’s Buildings and also happened to be the son of William McLelland, the owner of neighbouring McLelland’s Land explored earlier. When William McLelland (miner and carter) died in 1906, James unfortunately went “off the rails” somewhat […]
Springwell Place was a former dead end street on the south side of Glasgow Road. It is first referenced in 1878 and last appearing around the mid 1920’s. Although the entrance is still there today, there are no homes or businesses at the address and as such the name has fallen out of use. […]
This fantastic picture is shared by Anthony Smith and shows the view across to Blantyre from the Priory Bing. Taken in the early 1960’s, this was the final few years of the bing, the last chimney seen standing on the right, demolished later in Spring 1969. This view looks across to Coatshill and Blantyre. […]
The Springwell Piggery was formed in 1916, when Thomas Speirs, the new owner of McLelland’s Buildings cleared the yard at the back and fenced off the large open plan space. He sold the former stables that year, which was of no use to the Speirs family and the buyer was a Mr. William McCallum Junior […]
On Thursday 29th September 1904, an alarming collision of two tramway cars took place outside McDougalls Buildings, Springwell. There was only a single line at the place and owing to the heavy fog the drivers did not observe each other until a collision was inevitable. The impact was heavy, the passengers were knocked about […]
With exception of Springwell Farm, one of the oldest properties to ever exist in the hamlet was “McDougall’s Land” or to give it its original official name, “Springwell Cottages”. During the lifetime of this former building, like others nearby it would change hands a few times, be used as personal home for the owner […]
Thank you to the ladies of the Women’s Institute at High Blantyre Old Parish Church Halls this evening for inviting me along to present an evening of Blantyre history. It was my second year at this venue and the ladies always make me feel most welcome. I enjoyed myself hugely and hope you all did […]