Some Local Buildings

Winter, thus far, has been reasonably kind. It's dull & cool but fairly dry and with only a little ice. So it's possible to ride but you wouldn't want to go far. Today I took a spin to some local buildings of interest. 

Near me is Broom Mansion House. This built in the early 18th century as part of an estate. Like many such grand homes by the 20th century even the rich could not afford the upkeep. The land was sold of for housing in the 1930's and the mansion was turned into a private school.

This is a photograph from 1889. Note the horse and carriage at the front door.

(photo from Historic Environment Scotland)

This is where the horses lived. The nearby stable and carriage block now converted into apartments.

Estate entrance.

 

In the grounds there was a large curling pond. Maybe this is a sign of global warming but the pond is completely ice free even in mid winter. It will occasionally freeze over but I doubt you'd ever dare walk on it.

Nearby there is another grand house, Greenbank. Robert Allason had it built in 1760 on the profits of importing tobacco from, and exporting slaves to colonial America.

Closer to the city, in Shawlands, is the Langside Hall. I lived close to here on two occasions but only recently found out that the building was originally build as a bank in the city centre in 1849 and dismantled and re-erected in its current position in 1901.

The interior when a bank

I have a family connection with the building. An ancestor, John MacLean was arrested outside the hall for making speeches opposing the First World War. He was jailed for sedition in 1918.  

John MacLean on Soviet stamp

Camphill House in nearby Queen's Park.

Finally my favourite (I can see it from my front room), Mearns Castle. Built c1450.

In the late '60's Maxwell Church was demolished to build the motorway through Glasgow. Services were then held in the castle. In 1970 they built an extension tacked onto the castle. The extension could most kindly be described as "of its time" but to me it clashes horribly with the stark appearance of the castle.

Aerial view