Larkhall 1942 Holidays at home
A HISTORICAL RAMBLE.
The second ramble of the holidays-at-home week was again under the guidance of Mr William McPheat, M.A. and Mr Matthew Y. McWhirter, J.P. The ramble embraced a walk along historical surroundings. A start was made at the “auld toon” which undoubtedly was the foundation of Larkhall. From 1744 to 1800 marked the rise and progress of the population to the proportion of a village.
The reason why Larkhall had an influx of families at this period could be attributed to several factors. The great trunk road between the Western Highlands and England, via Glasgow passed here, and it was the changing place for the stage coaches plying between Carlisle and Glasgow, while the coaches from Lanark and Strathaven passed along the highway if the auld toon. The introduction of the improved system of agriculture, with the extension of farm boundaries, rendered the lesser or crofter allotments non-existent, and those unfortunate people had to adapt themselves to other trades for a livelihood, Handloom weaving being the staple industry at this period, it was natural that families resident in the outlying parts of the parish should move to a convenient, busy centre. The old school-house situated in the “spaur” with the new school known as Duke Street, called for mention, and the schoolmasters such as Fisher, Caldwell, Stevenson, Herbert, Paterson, Frame and McPheat were worthily noted.
The next halting place was at the Pleasance, where the early venture in building societies had its origin. The first meeting took place at Martinmas, 1914, and the Pleasance Park was secured as a building site on March 1 a815, consisting of 4 acres 2 roods.
The fue charter was entered into by Mr John Burns, Auld Machan and John Scott, Jasper Davidson, Thomas Teesdale and John Robb, weavers in Larkhall Building Society. The houses were all erected within twenty years, when each tacksman was granted a fue charter. This early venture formed the early beginning of the building society movement, and within the next three-quarters of a century other sixteen societies had completed building operations—thus the designation of the bonnet lards of Larkha’.
The party walked down Gallowhill and entered the avenue leading to Broomhill House, where the belt of trees on either side of the carriageway called for special comment. A wealth of information on the characteristics and peculiarities of the growth, foliage and flowering arrangements proved an entertaining subject of the wonderful work of nature. On reaching the entrance of Broomhill House the traditional story of the commencement of this branch of the Hamilton family was recounted. The date of entry to the estate by John Hamilton was February 16, 1473, and the Hamiltons had an uninterrupted succession for 220 years till 1693. The last John Hamilton was tossed between creditors and William Duke of Hamilton until his brother-in-law paid his debts and relieved the estates. It is recorded of John Hamilton that he was a hearty comrade at the bottle and a searcher for coal sheughs that brought him an advantage.
The first John Birnie of Broomhouse was educated for the ministry and presented to the Church at Carluke. Hr took up his residence at Broomhill after having acquiring considerable wealth. He made a successful country laird, and for many years before his death allotted the tenth part of his yearly income for the needs of the poor. The Birnies occupied Broomhill in succession for over 180 years James Bruce occupied Broomhill towards the end of 1817. He was a native of the “auld toon” who set sail for Calcutta when a young man. Successful in business he returned to his native soil, bought Broomhill estate and settled down as a country laird. He married a Glasgow Merchant’s daughter and had issue of one daughter names Jessie Bruce. James Bruce died on January 26, 1835, and his will led to extensive litigation up to 1847. James Bruce had three brothers and six sisters, so locally there are many families within the district who claim kinsman ship with the laird of Broomhill.
The concluding part of the ramble was a journey to Braehead Park the history of which was related from 1709. Forrest, McMillan, Burns Grier, Cooper, Hamilton and Lambie were owners in succession. The outstanding owner was the Rev. John McMillan (1734-1753) who occupied Braehead during the last nineteen years of his life. He was known as the great Macmillan and ministered to the Cameronians as a “lone scout” during the major part of his ministry. Braehead House was demolished by the County Council when they took over the estate for refuse purposes. It is now laid out as a pleasant park, where the present park ranger from time to time introduces a touch or originality to attract the attention of the public.
Ref. Hamilton Advertiser. 1/8/1942. Page 6.
Wilma Bolton. 2005.
