Scottish Tour Guide's Blog

This morning, I ventured out in the very harsh winter conditions to obtain more seasonal images. The following were all taken at Linn Park, south Glasgow. I found the sheer, brilliant whiteness very stimulating and a world away from the ‘normal’  greens and browns. The River Cart ( White Cart Water) was partly frozen over, which provided an additional dimension-and access.

In the icy pool below note the circular ‘lily pad’  floating block of ice in the bottom left. I am intrigued as to the origin of these ice shapes.

Icey White Cart at Linn Park

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Halloween at Holmwood House

This morning, I cycled round to local heritage property, Holmwood House, which is owned by Scotland’s National Trust. This building dates from 1859-61 when designed by celebrated Glaswegian architect, Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson for a local paper mill owner. The building was one of  high status with a dual purpose: to provide suitable accommodation for the owner’s family and to impress guess and potential business clients. the building is situated close to the White Cart ( a river) because of proximity to the mill powered by the same river. Thus production, marketing and residence was very closely integrated on the same complex. Also, being water powered, the business was very eco-friendly.

Thomson was the first modern architect to design houses in the Greek style asymmetrically, according to Picturesque principles. Of note in this case is the wall which connects the main house with the coach house, a feature also used by Lutyens and Frank Lloyd Wright.

To attract visitors, the local mangement put on a Halloween event at the house. What Thomson would have made of such an event is a moot point.

Holmwood House, Glasgow

After Holmwood, I cycled along the banks of the Cart and thence to Old Cathcart Cemetery to obtain information for my Glasgow Ancestry blog. Part of the cemetery is something of a jungle which presents a challenge in cutting back the ivy and brambles to view the (mainly Victorian era) memorial stones which tell a wide range of stories. Earlier today, I posted information on Gordon family history.

This morning I visited an old industrial location called Snuff Bridge near Cathcart. To obtain the image I had to struggle ( fall!) down a very steep river bank. However, this was the right opportunity as during other times the foliage on the trees would obscure the view. Originally, there was a (water powered) water mill here which converted to snuff making in 1921 but later reverted to paper making. The bridge is named after the snuff manufacturing. The river is the White Cart Water which powered considerable industrial activity in and around Glasgow from the 17th through to the 20th centuries.

The video on the bottom left shows what I believe to be the remains of an old tramway (not far from the bridge) which was active during the time of heavy industry in the area-milling, coal mining and lime quarrying.

The video on bottom right shows the area around the Snuff Bridge.