When the extended tram line opened from Priory Bridge into Cambuslang in 1907, the Priory Bridge and Spittal Bridges presented a problem, forcing initially a singular tram lane to be used. Something had to be done as two tramcars couldn’t pass by each other. So, widening of the bridges was requested by the Middle Ward […]
In June 1910, a sensational affair was reported to the Cambuslang police though this story happened on the border with Blantyre. A man named Henry Kelly (28) visited his parents at 71 Main Street, Cambuslang. As he missed the last Lanarkshire tramcar at Cambuslang for Hamilton, he started to walk back towards Blantyre. He reached […]
This story takes place on the night of Monday 5th February 1912 and is about an alleged highway robbery! This prompted a lot of investigation by the police as they tried to uncover the facts. It begins with Blantyre man William Blake (20) who lived at Lamonds Buildings in Springwell, Blantyre. William had been at […]
In September 1915, during WW1, Blantyre residents were urged to take care when driving on the road between the West End and The Priory Bridge. A five week programme to upgrade the road, laying down tarmacadam was scheduled, a job which required some care given that the trams were to be kept running. Part of […]
Here’s an uncommon, hidden view of some existing steps. This set of stone steps is at the side of the Priory Bridge which crosses the Rotten Calder river on the boundary of Blantyre and Cambuslang Parishes. The entrance from the old abandoned former road has been blocked up. The steps are near Bardykes Mill, which […]
This is an exclusive look at this photo, the first time it’s been online. Photographed during WW1 by early Blantyre photographer, David Ritchie, its from the collection of photos once shared to me by Alex Bowie. It was dark and not the best quality, but is brought a little to life by the added colour […]
Blantyre Project reader, Davey sent in these photos recently. Taken in 2019, they are of course the Priory Bridge in Low Blantyre. This is a good series of photos showing not just the beauty of the river and the bridge in summer months, but also showing some concerning deterioration of the abutments. The bridge […]