The Parkville Roadhouse

The Parkville Roadhouse – Glasgow Road.

After the Dandy, there are some private houses, two of which, next to the Parkville, were owned by Aggie Bain, of the oldest house in Blantyre fame, in 1915. Then we have The Parkville Roadhouse, formerly the home and surgery of Dr John Cowan-Wilson, which opened in 1959.

Parkville Roadhouse and Hotel

Voted one of the top 100 bars in Scotland by The Dram and winner of Scotland’s Best Community Pub of the Year in 2014 in the Scottish Entertainment Guide. The Parkville Hotel in Blantyre, has everything to offer. With its warm inviting decor you can relax in the lounge where you can sample a great selection of wines, cocktails and array of whiskies, complimented by the stylish restaurant. The elegant private event space, The Park Suite is perfect for hosting all kinds of parties and celebrations and of course is famous as a fabulous wedding venue, holding parties and celebrations up to 230. With 5 new stunning Hotel Bedrooms, it is a home from home.

The Parkville in Blantyre was the heart of the community 60 years ago, and it is still as big a part for the community now as it was then.

Bars and Superstars

Its Sunday morning, the smell of ham is travellin’ up the stair
Can still taste last nites bevy, and pizza thro ma hair,
We set aboot oor Saturday nite, just the back o 8
That was us till closing time we ended in a state.

Two pints in the Parkville, the West End for a jar
Back to Craigs, then the Cozy, or maybe the Priory Bar
The Smiddy it was timeless, the smell was in the air
Fags, pipes and dugs, wi sawdust on the flair.

Headin tae Matt Boyles, the crowd was pretty mixed
The usual cry fae big Peter, wee man how u fixed.
Andy Kelly is holdin’ court, with ‘burn your playhouse down’
Pipe Armstrong telling stories, funniest guy in town.

The Village bar or Teddies, the Knights or Union Jack.
we headed to the Hoolets, just to hear the crack.
We staggered past the Doon Inn, then down to the Vics,
Then James Mcguire shouted ‘hey boys am takin’ pics’

All the pubs have changed now, and some are even gone,
The superstars in all the bars passed their stories on
At the height and on the day these guys were the best
Sadly here no longer, and mostly laid to rest.

Drew Semple (May 2011) Copyright grecodisc.

Jim McDougall: Brilliant Memories of a time gone by of a lovely place called Blantyre.

Sandy Wilkie: School days, Round Table meetings, EKYFC dances, weddings, 21st’s, McGonagal Night, Paterson family, Jim Mullen, Robert Craig doos – so many memories in that building!

May Young Breen: Many a family wedding in there x x

Margo Haughen: Going tonight!!!

If you have any Photos… Send them to Bill

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