In 1893, the death occurred of John Clark Forrest, prominent landowner of much of Blantyre and well known official. This was man who gave his name and that of his family to form John Street, Clark Street, Forrest Street and Logan Street. Although not born in Blantyre, he was elected to the newly formed Blantyre […]
With research resuming again, I’m still intent on pushing ahead with telling the short stories of some Blantyre prominent figures. Those who shaped our past. This may not be particularly interesting to everybody, but their stories and lives deserve to be retold and recorded. On Thursday 27th March 1902, the death took place of well […]
At High Blantyre Cross behind a large stone wall, is the old Blantyre Kirkyard, once the location of a church. At a time before the building of the present church, a previous church once stood in the middle of this kirkyard. This incredible photo shows the demolition of that former small church in the kirkyard […]
Timber! The large tree to the west of the old Kirkyard in High Blantyre was completely felled on Tuesday 12 March 2019. The 150 year old tree was storm damaged and had a dangerous lean. It was carefully removed, whilst the car park was closed off. The tree was visible from Main Street, just in […]
Rev. John Hodgson – MD was the Minister of the second Blantyre Parish Church in the kirkyard at High Blantyre from 1809 for 23 years until 1832. The Rev. Doctor John Hodgson, son of the minister at Carmunnock, succeeded Mr. Stevenson. Born on 26th January 1781, Mr Hodgson was educated at the University of […]
Gordon Cook sent me this photo in January, which was taken in the High Blantyre kirkyard, within the stone perimeter wall, on the inside right of the gates. The picture was shared to see if anybody knew what the stone could be? (If anybody definitively knows, please get in contact) Using some computer trickery, Gordon […]
For a long time, I’ve been fascinated by the Kirkyard wall and the Wardrop Moore Arch, at Kirkton. So little has been written about this, and many mysteries remain, which I admit I don’t have all the answers. When was the wall originally built? Why was the earthworks raised inside the kirkyard? Why was the […]