Incredibly, this scene is alleged to date to the 1870’s. Taken by pioneering early photographer J McGhie, is shows the bend in the River Clyde, Blantyre side on the left and Bothwell Castle in the background. At over 140 years old, this was a time in Blantyre right at the start of the coal […]
Tag: river clyde
2000 Under Memorial Bridge
I was looking through some old photos and found this. From 2000, taken under the old David Livingstone Memorial Bridge, shortly after it opened. The previous bridge wasn’t particularly well built only lasting 47 years. The replacement, the current one pictured (in approximately the same location) will hopefully be there a lot longer than 5 […]
1947 View from Priory Bing
This previously unseen photo was taken with exceptional clarity in 1947. As WW2 ended, the Priory Bing had partially collapsed into the River Clyde, blocking part of the river. That happened just out the photo to the left. Above and out the photo was Bothwell Castle. Looking round to the right we see the […]
1962 Playing on the Clyde
Out on the River Clyde, in May 1962, is little Anthony Smith playing out on a home made raft. His father took the picture, so was nearby in case anything happened, but it didn’t just get me thinking of innocent childhood youth spending warm summers making their own entertainment. In these days of health and […]
DLC: The Beginnings
The whole concept of the David Livingstone Memorial Centre came about when a meeting was held in the Religious Institution rooms, Glasgow on Friday 22nd January 1926, when it was agreed to purchase Livingstone’s early home and grounds at Blantyre for conversion into a Scots National Memorial. The Right Rev Dr John White, Moderator […]
1942 Looking to the Village
1941 River Clyde Pipebridge
This Blantyre photo was taken in World War Two. Pictured on the banks of the River Clyde in March 1941 is the pipebridge crossing the River Clyde from Blantyre Village to Bothwell. Taken by the Smith family and shared here by Anthony Smith, you can even see the old suspension bridge further up the […]







