Blantyre Project reader Marge Mills was recently at Crossbasket Castle with her sister for afternoon tea. This was to be a very emotional visit for Marge as she lived at Crossbasket House for just over 6 months when she was just 2 years old. Marge told me, “It was like walking into history. The castle […]
1946 – Following World War 2, the Crossbasket gatehouse, east lodge was sold by James directly to his sister on 14th November 1946. Agnes Little was unmarried, a spinster but a lady with many business interests herself. Amongst them a seamstress and drapers business in Ladybank, as her sisters Margaret and Peggy had too. It […]
A short extract from my book, “The History of Crossbasket Castle” explaining the final years of ownership of Thomas Dunlop Findlay in the early 1930’s. 1931 – Crossbasket Farm came under the attention of the local authority who were considering making an offer for the property to turn it into a local maternity hospital. […]
To give you an idea of how Crossbasket looked in 1924, at the time of Thomas Dunlop Findlay owning it, here’s a photo taken from the riverbank, looking back up towards the Castle. A gardener poses for the camera bottom right. 1924 – In 1924 Mrs. Helen Maitland Findlay, Thomas mother, who was living […]
An extract from the book, “The History of Crossbasket Castle” by Paul Veverka (c) 1912 – Norah Mary Neilson (nee Addie) and Thomas Paterson Neilson, one of George Neilson’s sons had been living at Crossbasket from 1904 until 1912. The couple had married in Uddingston on 17th August 1904 living at Crossbasket with George immediately […]
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. […]
With such a beautiful transformation having recently taken place to Crossbasket Castle itself, it was only fitting that the grounds received a makeover too. AND then some! In the last fortnight, gardeners and landscapers have being working tirelessly at Crossbasket Estate to give the gardens an overhaul, fitting of a five star exclusive wedding venue. […]