It’s hard to imagine just how much one part of Blantyre can change SO much in 100 years, but these pictures taken at the same spot on Glasgow Road, 100 years apart demonstrate just that. This is the junction at Victoria Street on the right. In the old photo, children feature prominently perhaps on way […]
Wee snippet of history from 1967 next. As demolition contractors pulled down some of the prefabs in High Blantyre during Autumn 1967, a fire left behind by them caused concern for remaining residents. Contractors had been burning rubbish on the site but one day when they left, thick smoke started to invade nearby homes, prompting […]
On Thursday 14th November 1912, a fire took hold of a building at Thornhill Avenue (The Dandy), Blantyre. The unfortunate house was Priory House and when fire was observed around two o’clock that afternoon. Priory House at that time belonged and was tenanted to Mr John P. M’Caffrie, a spirit merchant who owned a pub […]
On Tuesday 22nd July 1913, fire filled the air at the bottom of Forrest Street, with plumes of smoke and flame that could be seen from High Blantyre. That afternoon, the former oil refining works belonging to Messrs William Sommerville and Sons and situated at the bottom of Forrest Street. Blantyre, was destroyed by fire. […]
On Wednesday 19th May 1915, fire broke out at Raploch Cottage on Station Road. The property was well known as being the home of the former Blantyre bonesetter William Rae, though it had been 10 years since he died. In 1915, it was occupied by Mr William Rae jnr, a dairyman. The mysterious fire was […]
Today, we’re remembering a wee soul whose short life was tragically cut short in a most terrible accident. On the warm wartime summers day of Friday, 20th August 1915, some young boys took to playing at Stonefield Road. Amongst them was little John McDermott, aged 4, the son of miner Patrick McDermott. That afternoon, wee […]
‘Lady Park‘ was the former name of upper fields belonging to Greenhall Estate adjacent to Greenhall Farm. In May 1917, Alexander Marshall Junior (14) of School Lane was caught deliberately setting fire to 8 yards of hedge at Lady Park. He pled guilty in court. He was caught red handed by an approaching police officer who […]