Mary Queen of Scots visit
Mary Queen of Scots visit
Another noble visitor to Blantyre was Mary (Queen of Scots). The Annals of Blantyre book 1885 commented,“The old road along which Mary Queen of Scots passed on her way from Hamilton Palace to Cathcart Castle, on the day previous to the battle of Langside, intersects the property, and there is a beautiful spring of water in an adjoining glen still known by the name of Queen Mary’s Well, at which that unfortunate lady is said to have rested. Near the same spot was found, some years ago, a clay cinerary urn, of the form commonly held to be Roman.”
 Dysholm |
The spring is recorded in history as being the well at Dysholm, the cottage located on the west bank of the Calder. (Near Millheugh Estate).
Mary most probably needed water for her horses and was closely followed by many servants and associates. |
| Dysholm was located near Malcolmwood Farm, but became ruined and was derelict at the turn of the 1900s. Written off, in the Winter 1903, Dysholm cottage was burned down deliberately and with all account, ceremoniously. During 1830 – 1861 it was occupied by Jane Pettigrew and her family. Jane’s death is recorded in Cambuslang from dysentry on 10th January 1860 aged 77. During her time in Blantyre, she displayed quite the talent by leaving us all with the legacy of this poem about her beloved cottage:
Dysholm Sweet Dysholm, Sweet Dysholm, The brawling Cawder’s rapid tide, Decked like a bride thy hawthorn fair Thy charms to me grow still more clear, Each warbling bird, each humming bee, Jane Pettigrew, Malcolmswood. 1783 ~1860 |
Mary would have visited Blantyre many times on her visits to Bothwell Castle, as she visited the Earl of Bothwell whom she married. As the only way through Blantyre at that time was via Pathfoot, (Pech Brae), Mary would have passed by the Oldest House in Blantyre many times.
Folklore
It has been said that Blantyre was named after Mary Queen of Scots and the Earl of Bothwell were out riding one day when Queen Mary’s horse, Blanche, got tired. So the village was named after where Blanche got tired. Not true, but quite a romantic folk lore.
See also: The Dysholm Sequence
~~~
 |
|
Site Designed & Maintained by:
“In Pursuit of Excellence”
Copyright © Symbol Internet Marketing 2003 – 2023
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.