Blantyre Miners Welfare Outdoor Bowling got the ball , or rather the ‘jack’ rolling in April 1977 for the start of a new season when Mrs Craig rolled the first throw. Mrs Craig, the President’s wife is also pictured with from left to right, Lyndsay Johnston Vic President, Mrs Johnston, Tom Rankin Secretary, Mr Robert […]
Blantyre Four in Hand Club existed at least from 1903 until the first World War. Groups of passengers would be pulled in a vehicle by four horses on day excursions. Seasonal trips from April to September took place departing from Mrs Rae’s at Stonefield Tavern on Glasgow Road. Destinations included Strathaven. The driver as pictured was Sandy […]
Vintners – A popular profession in the 19th Century and perhaps earlier in Blantyre was that of being a Vintner. A winemaker or vintner is a person engaged in winemaking. They were generally self-employed although in later times became employed by wineries or wine companies, where their work included: Cooperating with viticulturists. Monitoring the […]
Kirklea Cottage – was a former cottage on the south side of Main Street, which had address 75 and 77 Main Street. It was located on the Main Street itself and was situated at Auchinraith between Bellsfield and Birdsfield Farm. Mr. John Craig of Bellsfield built it between 1895 and 1898. By 1905 Mr […]
Of the two 19th Century schools in School Lane, the one nearer the Kirkton Cross itself was called “The Temperance Hall School”. It looked out upon a field between it and the Main Street, with Croftfoot to the North. It is marked on 1859 maps. Existing since 1853 (as confirmed in Hamilton Advertiser 21st November […]
Following text taken from forthcoming book, “Blantyre Explained” by Paul Veverka (c) The Birdsfield Brick and Tile Works (also known later as Birdsfield Tile Works and later again as Birdsfield Wagon Works), were once located where the former Alex Inglis Factory is, beside the EK Expressway. Craig and Wilson It is unknown when the kilns […]
The 16th Century “keep” or “Tower” is located on the west of the Castle on the left hand side, as you face its entrance. This may have replaced an even older structure belonging to the Lindsay or Hamilton family, for the basement and cellars are of a noticeably older construction than the tower itself above. […]