John Crawford shared insights on the former ‘Buggy Buildings’ on Auchinraith Road, noting a shop’s historical significance and its transition to a social club. The Semple family owned the buildings, with William Semple renting them out. The shop remained closed post-WW2, serving as a meeting place instead.
Buggy Buildings was a popular nickname given to three storey, stone tenements in Auchinraith Road, known to have some construction defects. Once directly opposite Elm Street, it was part of a row of tenements and the Buggy Building’s official address was “Melbourne Place and comprised of two, three storey tenements. The likely construction date is 1896 […]
Continuing some interesting stories you may not have heard about which took place in Blantyre during the mid 1890’s. Next is the story of the death of John Gallocher. John Gallocher was a labourer who lived at 98 Glasgow Road, Greenside (in Burnbank). He lived at this address with work colleague John Campbell. In Summer […]
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 […]
Andy Lynch shared this charming photo adding, “This is my Mum and Dad Willie and Ella Lynch. This was taken around 1953 before they were married. It was taken in my Gran (Agnes)and Grandads (Sanny) Frews front garden at 68 Auchenraith Road. “ Sanny Frew was well known he had one leg and often sat […]
This is a heart-warming tale of neighbourly goodwill. During the last 2 years of the 1890’s, the wife of one of Blantyre’s constables took seriously ill and was unable to attend to her family, whilst her husband was out at work. A member of the Salvation Army, Mrs Harris of Melbourne Place on Auchinraith […]