Scotland – Treasures of the Past

We’ve been looking at houses recently! No, not with a view to moving from our current home, but simply because the postman dropped the ”National Trust for Scotland Members’ Guide’ through our letterbox. We have been members for many years and in the past frequently visited their estates and properties and nature reserves scattered all around Scotland (over 100) which they work hard to preserve for future generations. We are always impressed by the planning and effort that they put into this task.

In the southside of Glasgow there is villa called Holmwood House built in 1858, which was designed by architect Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson (1817-1875) who was reputed world-wide to be one of Scotland’s most talented architects and designers. We recently visited, and were not disappointed. It is beautifully situated on the banks of the White Cart river, amid extensive grounds. Built initially for paper mill owners Robert and James Cooper, whose family occupied it between 1858 – 1909. After this it changed hands many times before it was taken over in 1958 by The Sisters of our Lady of the Mission. The property was used as a chapel and dormitory, and soon the Sisters had established a primary school, and also taught in a local comprehensive school. They were also involved in many other aspects of parish work. By 1994 they had moved to more suitable premises and the building was purchased by NTS, who since then have worked tirelessly to restore its appearance and condition as in 1858. Some very impressive work has been done. Here are some photographs with much more information on-line.

We enjoyed our visit to Holmwood and would recommend it to those of you who are near enough to visit.

Greenbank Garden is even closer to home and we have visited there many times. On our recent visit the rain came on, so we had an almost empty garden to enjoy. I’ll let the photos speak for themselves this time, but again more information available on line. My photographs :-

We started our visits last month going to a house built for the rich, and ended it with a visit to a house built for the poor, ‘Weaver’s Cottage’ in Kilbarchan which was built in 1723. Weaving was first recorded in this village in 1695 when there were 30-40 looms. By1838 eight hundred looms were said to be working in the village and local area. My granny was a weaver, so I was fascinated to hear the story of the weaver being recounted and demonstrated by the video being played and by the NTS staff. Everything from the spinning of the yarn to the weaving of a variety of cloths, even intricate clan tartans provided for the Royal Family and others, and to catch something of their life and work away back then.

The rooms in the cottage were let out to different families, with varying skills, some relating to the weaving business but others such as shoe making and repairs. It must have been a hive of industry when they were all working. The mechanisation of the weaving business during the Industrial Revolution however, was to bring to an end the huge cottage industry of weaving by hand looms, plus many linked trades, such as spinners, yarn dyers, pirn winders and cloth finishers.

One thing about the Weaver’s Cottage that grabbed our attention was the number of rooms with an ‘inset’ bed. The beds were so short that it would have been impossible for an average adult to lie out on them. This we were told was no problem as the people of the day preferred to sleep in a sitting position! That was the first time I had heard of such a thing.

This blog started with a look at a rich man’s house and has ended with a look at a poor man’s house, the original residents of which have long since passed away. One thing that the visit to the cottage brought home is the brevity of life, for the Bible says ‘my days are swifter than a weavers shuttle” Job 7:5 which we can all relate to. A weaver’s shuttle is incredibly fast, we can vouch for that! It also reminds us that we brought nothing into this world and we can take nothing out! The houses are there, but past resisdents are gone. So we need to weigh up Jesus’ words in Luke’s Gospel

“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self”? Luke 9:24, 25 or again the words of Jesus – “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me”. Revelation 3:19,20

Visits to places like this bring back many memories. As I have said, my granny was a weaver, my mother’s childhood was in a similar small cottage in Fife, not to mention the inset beds, which both our parents would have slept in, tho’ thankfully somewhat larger than those illustrated!

We enjoyed these visits and are grateful for the NTS for the work they do for the nation. These three sites are definitley recommended as places worth a visit. You will find it is cheaper to become a member, as the entrance fee for non members is quite expensive, so after just a few visits as a member you are in credit!

Trust you are well wherever you are, why not take time to consider the words of Jesus? Always glad to hear from you.

Matthew