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| The photograph is across Milton-Lockhart Bridge. This is a private road and the gatehouse at the far end of the bridge suggests that this is the entrance to a stately home. And so it was, "was" being the operative word. |
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| There is a photograph of the bridge crossing the River Clyde I took some time ago. It is a sturdy and well-proportioned masonry arch. |
Beyond it once stood Milton-Lockhart House, built in 1839. This is where the story gets strange. In 1987 Japanese actor/director, Masahiko Tsugawa happened to be passing the house, by this time derelict. He arranged to buy the property and have it transported to and re-erected in Japan. Its journey east was partly by the Trans Siberian railway, permission being granted by President Mikhail Gorbachev.
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| The house, as it was. |
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| Masahiko looks happy with his purchase |
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| The house, now renamed Lockheart Castle, at its new location in Japan. |
http://www.jrs-w.com/lock-heart/english/index.html
That is just odd. Can you imagine moving a castle? I guess that is the definition of eccentric - crazy, but rich.
ReplyDeleteDoes that mean you get to ride over the bridge now since the castle is gone?
I think access has got worst recently. During the time that house was derelict and demolished locals had access to the estate. In recent years I noticed that the grounds had been tidied up. It seems that a wealth businessman bought the estate and built a new house in the style of the old one. He put up fences to protect his privacy. I found articles about the locals being unhappy about this but I can see both sides of the argument. If you search "Milton Lockhart House" you'll find information.
DeleteThey moved London Bridge and re-built it in Arizona - I suppose anything is possible if you have the cash.
Excellent story :-)
ReplyDelete