Looking down from Sydes Brae towards High Blantyre, this photo was photographed around 1975 and features the Jerusalem Houses most prominently. This was just before the construction of that section of the EK Expressway around the time of contractors moving in to attend to the earthworks and further reduction of the former Dixon’s Pit Bings. […]
Tag: sydes brae
Sydes Brae Early 1960’s
James Brown, who lives at Calderside House, High Blantyre shared this great photo. Pictured likely in the early 1960’s is Sydes Brae, looking down the hill towards Blantyre. On the left is the entrance to Newhouse, to the right would now be the field below the Crematorium. In the photo, you’ll see former Dixon’s […]
Pylons at Sydes Brae
My good friend and history colleague, Robert Stewart shared this photo he took in 2015. Taken from Sydes Brae, pylons are shown disappearing into the distance. A remarkable picture of depth and perspective, made all the more incredible by Robert’s passion for photography and being partially sighted. Robert has shared many photos over the years […]
Work begins new UWS Campus
Contractors are now gearing up to commence construction work behind Hamilton Technology Park, Blantyre on the brand new University of the West of Scotland’s campus. Spread over a significant 38 acres of greenfield site, the large university campus is based on land in High Blantyre and work will start this month (November). The final project […]
Robert Aitkenhead & Sons
Pictured here in 1999, courtesy of the late Neil Gordon is the former site of Aitkenhead Builders Yard at Sydes Brae. I’ve previously researched and told the history of the Aitkenhead Builders here but can add a little more. The area where the yard once was, still exists today on Hamilton Drive. Aitkenhead Builders […]
New University at Blantyre
A massive project has this week been unveiled, which if approved will see the West of Scotland have a brand new University, right here in Blantyre. Planning permission was lodged and ALREADY granted in principle on 14th April 2016 for a sizeable area of greenfield at Sydes Brae, High Blantyre, between the current HSBC Building […]
Auchentibber Drowning – 1930
I’ve often written about historical drownings in the Clyde, so what a surprise it was to see a drowning, this time in Auchentibber, which I would have thought would have been the last place for a Blantyre resident to meet their end. Considerable excitement prevailed in Blantyre on Thursday 17th April 1930, when it became known that a […]







