Around 1980, George Russell was contemplating selling the remainder of Crossbasket Estate, perhaps prompted by seeing his brother in laws profit? Again, absent in America, I suspect he had underestimated the costs of the upkeep of such a large property or had lost interest. The National Records of Scotland record a legal case Ref […]
1977– On 20th July 1977, a Mrs. Bain had asked the Secretary of State for Scotland “what was the subsidy given in 1976 to help the James Little Training College” which she reported was experiencing financial troubles and asked what help could be given now that the James Little College had announced they would have to […]
On 24th September 1965, World War II RAF Hero Douglas Bader, putted a meringue after opening the “Golf School” at James Little Training College at High Blantyre. He had officially opened a new golf training ‘school’, within the college itself. Douglas Bader, the guest of honour lost both his legs in an aircraft accident before World War […]
I’m excited again be invited this Autumn to conduct a tour of Crossbasket Castle for the teaching staff and students of South Lanarkshire College! I did this freely in 2018 which gave me the unique opportunity to mix my “daytime construction knowledge” with detailed local history. The students will be there again to learn primarily […]
Jim Rochead is pictured at The Garden Fete at Crossbasket 1950s. The large tent providing some rain protection. I didn’t realise Crossbasket had been whitewashed in the mid 20th Century, previously thinking the render had always been grey. The render was an important part of waterproofing the building, protecting the rough stonework from the elements. […]
Chris Ladds shared this wonderful image of Crossbasket, during the 19th Century. I’m told it’s from the 1840’s, but open to the possibility it may be slightly later in the 1850’s during the James Clark era. The architecture looks somewhat different from today, suggesting perhaps on the more modern part of the building, the roof […]
Many people will know of local man John Dunsmore (aka Wee Yanni) and his passion for the River Calder. A favourite fishing spot, John loves nothing more than spending time near the river. His skills include stonemasonry, something he’s become very accomplished at, and notably renewing the plaque on the Blantyre Disaster memorial and cleaning […]