Bardykes House

Sandy Wilkie wrote, “Bardykes House on Bardykes Road in Blantyre, South Lanarkshire (now known as Bardykes Farm and Bardykes Farm Nursery), was designed in the late 1800’s by a Glasgow architect who is now becoming rather famous, though not quite as much of a household name yet, as the City’s other world-renowned architect, Charles Reny-MacIntosh. His name was Alexander Thompson but as there were two British architects of that name registered at the same time, our Alexander’s name was amended to differentiate them, by reflecting his own very individual and idiosyncratic design style based on his southern European ideals, to become known as the Scottish based, “Alexander Greek Thompson” (9 April 1817 – 22 March 1875).”

The Wilkie family

Wilkie’s Farm serving Blantyre and surrounding regions with Milk and Dairy Products since 1900. And was a very popular location for local children because of the Horse and Pony riding and the many Gymkhanas that were frequently held there.

Compulsory Purchase Order

Sandy Wilkie wrote, “In the late 50s, the house fell into considerable disrepair thereafter and was eventually bought by ‘Speculator’ as my dad described him, a Mr. Loan from Helensburgh, who planned to get a hotel licence then sell it to “The Brewers” for a handsome profit. However, that never came to pass and after further deterioration, he eventually sold it via Joe Daly (father of Alan) and Jimmy Rusk (local council valuer and father of the famous hairdresser family), to Peter and Margaret Wilkie. They were almost homeless at that time, because the 2 nearby farms in High Blantyre known as Birdsfield and Bellsfield, (we milked the cows at the latter and filled it on the former), were being “taken” by the 5th District Council via a “Compulsory Purchase Order,” to build Council Houses. Demolition actually started whilst we were still living in the site!

On 5th April 1957, mum and dad plus their 3 weans under 5, Dinky the Alsation dog and Minky the tortoise-shell cat, moved in on the horse-drawn milk float pulled by Janet (or was it Nell? – Janet was a liver chestnut Irish mare and Nell was a more flighty black mare), to Bardykes”.

Sent in by Margo Haughen nee Wilkie

Fascinating and great that the owners put down some history to Bardykes.

Sandy Wilkie, who still lives at the house, wrote a short history of the House and Family which was sent in by Margo Haughen nee Wilkie.

You can read the whole story here: Short History of Bardykes House.

Your Comments:

Margo Haughen: I was a Wilkie for my sins! We moved into Bardykes in 1957, having lived at Birdsfield Farm before it was compulsory purchased to build Kirkton. I have some research of the building’s history my brother Sandy (who still lives there) did fairly recently- if you’re interested I could ask my daughter to send a PM copy to you, also a more recent photo for the website?

Blantyre’s Ain: Margo, that would be absolutely fantastic. Local History must be recorded for prosperity. Your daughter can email me on bill@blantyre.biz

Elizabeth Weaver: Of course, Blantyre and High Blantyre had farms all through my 50s childhood – despite the pits, Blantyre was still quite rural. Changed days.

Ruth Haughen: My family has lived there since the 50s and still live there now…

Ruth Haughen: Aye Peter was my grampa… still did milk until about about 20 years ago. Dad was still a milkman there until Wiseman’s bought it over I think. What do you remember Auntie Deborah Buhagiar?

Deborah Buhagiar: Not much, I think I was drunk or hung over the few times I was there!! We used to visit your mum in her caravan mostly.

John McDermott: Really good to know your family still lives there Ruth. I had many a happy time there as a milk boy.

Elizabeth Weaver: I remember Peter Wilkie too – my brother was the same age as Sandy and one of my uncles worked on the farm way back when they still had milk carts and churns.

Margo Haughen: Who was your uncle, Elizabeth-I may remember him?

Helen Dyer: My friend’s gran worked there every morning for years, till she was too old to do it any more. I think they let her keep going just to give her something to do.. lol such a sweet lady wee Mary Dickson.

Carol Jordan: I was born in 1972 and I used to go over to Wilkies for my gran when I was a kid, sometimes there were geese acting like guard dogs.

Alan Baird: Twa pints tae the yella door ya wee fecker.

Margo Haughen: Alan, that’s how my dad spoke to all of us milkboys/girls… pleased to say, he was lovely in private!!

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If you have any Photos… Send them to Bill

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