On Monday 12th August 1901, about 7.30am, a young man named Thomas Strang (19) met with a shocking accident whilst working in the Priory Pit, Blantyre. Accidents in Blantyre’s pits were not uncommon. Thomas lived with his parents near to the colliery at Priory Rows. (where the Priory Playing fields are today). Strang was a […]
An alarming accident took place on the East Kilbride to High Blantyre Road on the evening of Wednesday 21st August 1901. A waggonette drawn by two horses, and belonging to Mr McLelland, carriage hirer of Burnbank, in which was a party of ladies, was proceeding along the road when it became involved in the accident. […]
The Evening Courant Newspaper dated 9 April 1868 tells of the tragic death of Blantyre woman, Elizabeth Brand on 6th April that year who met with an accident at the Blantyre Dyeworks. This is a story from 155 years ago. About 11 o’clock on Monday forenoon, Elizabeth Brand, aged 20, a dye worker of Blantyre […]
Warning this story contains upsetting content. In the 1880’s, much of Stonefield Road had wide, expansive fields at either side. Our story today took place in 1882 and remembers the life of a little Blantyre boy, who sadly lost his life in that rural setting. On Tuesday 7th November 1882, five year old Edward Hoolighan, […]
More stories from Auld Blantyre, which I hope you’re hearing for the first time. 120 years ago, the sight of a motorcar was indeed a rare thing. Even more so if one was travelling through a small mining village like Blantyre. On Monday 19th October 1902 a sensation was felt when a motorcar unexpectedly passed […]
Here’s a little known story you may not have heard about. On Saturday 17th July 1880, some 142 years ago, a railway accident of alarming character happened near High Blantyre Station on the Strathaven branch of the Caledonian Railway. The train was timed to leave Hamilton Central at 1.55pm for Strathaven and at that time […]
Next, an accident which took place near the West End of Blantyre on Friday 7th February 1908. That morning around 9 o’clock, County Councillor John Jackson left his home at Bardykes House to drive to Blantyre Station. By ‘drive’ in this era before many motorcars, I mean he was travelling by horse and trap which […]