The video animates a static image of Shuttle Row circa 1910, when the buildings were condemned, and showcases the birthplace of Explorer David Livingstone. It provides a glimpse into daily life, though the AI mistakenly depicts washing as smoke. The animation enhances understanding of historical context from 115 years ago.
This new photo of Shuttle Row, shared by Alex Bowie and taken by David Ritchie, depicts the area post-1897 but likely before 1910. Though condemned, the photo shows relatively intact structures. It features children at play and highlights the challenging conditions faced by women who worked to maintain cleanliness in their homes.
If you’re ever visiting the David Livingstone Birthplace, you may wonder what the small plaque is on the gable of Shuttle Row. Not the prominent one at ground level telling for the 1929 opening, nor the one on the North Gable telling the story of the bell. Instead, looking upwards on the South side, just […]
Pictured just before the Millennium in rare aerial photo is the David Livingstone Birthplace, or David Livingstone Centre as it was known then. The photo was arranged by Neil Gordon and appears in his book just after the Millennium. Seen here for the first time in high resolution colour, you can see the building had […]
Another little piece of Blantyre nostalgia I acquired by auction is this fantastic Magic Lantern Slide. Dating from the late 1890’s, it’s in great condition and marked slide 2. (Which begs the question what were all the other slides?!) The glass slide, around 80mm square, was larger than I expected when I purchased it on […]
A familiar scene. This is Shuttle Row, at the Village, Blantyre. A postcard from the 1930’s or 40s in black and white and a lovely painting from a similar vantage point by Betty Gillespie, painted many years ago. Definitely worth showing here! With thanks to Alex Rochead for sharing.
A tragic little known story next, but one put up here to remember a particular little Blantyre girl. On the afternoon of Saturday 21st November 1903, three year old Robina Wilson was playing at Shuttle Row, at the Village, Low Blantyre. She was the adopted child of Patrick McInlay, who lived in one of the […]