Big Jock Stein.

Jock Stein whilst playing at Celtic.

Jock Stein was born on October 5th 1922 at Burnbank which is near Hamilton West Train Station in the town of Hamilton , Lanarkshire.  He left school aged 15 and started work as a miner in 1937. He joined the Blantyre Victoria Junior Football Club in 1938.  In 1942 he became a Semi-Professional  Player with Albion Rovers and he was still working as a miner at the time.

He later became Full Professional in 1950 with Welsh Team AFC Llanelli. Earning the princely some of £12 per week. He was bought by Celtic Football Club in 1951 for £1,200. and the following year he was made Club Captain. He was with Celtic up until 1956 and played 148 games but only scored 2 goals. He retired from playing due to ankle injuries. Whilst he was Club Captain at Celtic they won the Coronation Cup in 1953, the League Championship and Scottish Cup Double in 1954.

He later became Celtic’s Youth Team Coach. During 1960 he took on the role of Manager at Dunfermline. In 1961 they won the Scottish Cup.  In 1964 Stein returned to Celtic FC and became the team’s first non-catholic Manager. They won the Scottish Cup 6 weeks after his arrival. The following season Celtic were Scottish League Champions (the first time in 11 years!). They also reached the semi-finals of the European Cup -Winners-Cup!

Jock Stein with the Celtic Team.

Billy McNeil, Jock Stein and John Clark.

The following season Celtic reached the Scottish Domestic Treble of the Scottish League Cup, the League Championship and the Scottish Cup. And of course in 1967 Celtic Football Club won the European Cup after beating Inter Milan in the finals! Big Jock Stein led Celtic to 9 successive League Championships. He was awarded the CBE in 1970. He was seriously injured in a car accident in 1975. In 1978 he left Celtic and was Manager at Leeds for a brief period of time, until he became Manager of Scotland’s National Team.

Jock Stein Manager at Scotland.

Alex Ferguson and Jock Stein.

Stein led Scotland in the 1982 World Cup but they lost on goal difference to the Soviet Union during the group stages.  Stein introduced a young Alex Ferguson as his Assistant during qualifications for the 1986 World Cup. Ferguson at the time was manager at Aberdeen. On the 10th September 1985 Big Jock Stein died after suffering a heart attack at the end of a 1-1 Draw with Wales at Ninian Park in Cardiff. He was only 62 years old!

The fateful moment when Jock Stein suffered his heart attack caught on camera!

 

Written by

Hamilton Historian

Terence (Terry) Murphy.

 

Ref. Jock Stein Wikipedia and various football magazines.

Earnock Covenanter’s Grave.

Original Plaque/Memorial which was built into the wall at Earnock Gardens.

The Covenanter’s who are buried at Earnock Gardens , Hamilton which is just off Sherry Drive were fighting at the Battle of Bothwell Bridge on June 22nd 1679.  Sir John Watson Bt of Earnock  hand-carved the first stone memorial/plaque during 1881 when he was 62 years of age. As a boy he had trained as an apprentice journeyman stonemason. He was also very accomplished in woodworking.

The grave is marked by three Scots Pine trees. One of the original trees was blown over in a storm during 1900.  The wood from that very tree was later crafted into a gun cabinet by Sir John Watson. The cabinet was later re-housed at the Ross Estate in Ferniegair  by the 4th Baronet; Sir Derrick William Inglefield -Watson.  The cabinet is still preserved at the Ross to this day.

In 1988 the original stone memorial plaque was painted grey to improve it’s appearance and preservation. But sadly it was subsequently vandalized. It was relocated to Hamilton’s Old Parish Churchyard in 1993 and built into  a wall there. It is still there to this day!

The original stone memorial/plaque vandalized  c. 1988.

The original stone memorial/plaque at Hamilton’s Old Parish Churchyard.

Original memorial/plaque inscription.

There was another plaque installed which sat on a stone base at the Earnock Gardens site but this too became vandalized on numerous occasions and it was removed towards the end of 2007.

The current memorial was unveiled on Sunday 27th September 2008 by the late Sir Simon Conran Hamilton Watson 6th Bt of Earnock, Lady Patricia Watson, Provost and Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire.  The service was conducted by Rev Fraser Aitken Minister of St. Columba’s Parish Church in Ayr.

Lady Patricia Watson, The Late Sir Simon Watson Bt, Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire and Provost at memorial unveiling  c.2008.

Hamilton Historian  Terence (Terry) Murphy  At The Earnock Covenanter’s  Memorial  c.2019.

Earnock Covenanter’s Memorial  c.2016.

Plaque Inscription details.

Plaque inscription details.

View of the memorial with full view of Scots Pine trees from the front.

In this view from behind the memorial you can see the mound/knoll which marks the grave where the Covenanter’s are buried. In recent years a Scots Pine sapling was planted to replace another one of the trees that had blown over.

There is another unmarked Covenanter’s Grave located at the bottom of Westwood Crescent, Laighstonehall, Hamilton, Lanarkshire.  Where Westwood Crescent meets the T-Junction of Laighstonehall Road. The Covenanting Soldier died there from his injuries whilst making his retreat from the King’s Soldiers. He too was involved in the Battle of Bothwell Bridge on June 22nd 1679. The spot where his grave is located is in the former lands of the Laigh Stonehall Farm. It is my belief that he separated from the 3 soldiers who were slain at Earnock earlier in their journey/retreat and that he was making his way towards Fairhill Park which was owned by Laird  James Strang who was a strong Covenanter Supporter and who’s brother was the Covenanter Martyr Christopher Strang. Christopher Strang’s memorial is also built into the wall at Hamilton’s Old Parish Churchyard.

Location of Unmarked Covenanter’s Grave at Laighstonehall, Hamilton, Lanarkshire.  During the 1980’s the cement cap was embeded with pebbles. The area where the grave is located is circled in red in the photo  c.2016.

Ordnance Survey Map Clipping Showing Location Of Martyr’s Grave Location Circled In Red. Map Survey  c.1858, publication c.1864.

Present day Street map clipping showing location of grave marked by red dot.

Written by

Hamilton Historian

Terence  ( Terry ) Murphy.

A special thanks to the Late Sir Simon Watson 6th Bt of Earnock who gave me permission to use the photos displayed!

Ref. Incidents in the Life of the Late John Watson of Bathville, and of John Watson of Earnock, his Son by the Latter.  c.1889.  And, Further Incidents in the Life of John Watson of Earnock.  c.1894.  Hamilton, Laighstonehall, Martyr’s Grave|Canmore.

Neilsland House & Estate.

John Watson (Later 1st Bt Of Neilsland & Earnock) bought the Neilsland Estate during April of 1871.  Because there was another house nearby in Meikle Earnock called “Neilsland” , the name of the mansion house “Mid Stonehall” was changed to “Neilsland House” and the name of the Meikle Earnock property became “Old Neilsland House”, which was situated exactly where the Woodhead Bar is located nowadays.

Old Neilsland  House  c.1877  (This is the current day location of the Woodhead Bar).

Hamilton Historian  Terence (Terry) Murphy  Standing Beside The Original “Neilsland Park”,  “Nature Trail”  Sign  At The Woodhead Green Entrance To The Former Neilsland (Midstonehall) Estate.

Prior to the Neilsland Estate being put on the market Old Neilsland was leased for 3 years to Mr George Gordon who was a retired building contractor. The exact date that Old Neilsland House and Neilsland Mansion House (Mid Stonehall) were built is unknown and undocumented although both buildings were originally used as farmsteads. The location of the Neilsland Mansion House (Mid Stonehall) was to the left of the top end of Highstonehall Road, between the Woodhead and the Little Earnock Housing Estates. The area has been known as the “Nature Trail” for many years.

Neilsland Mansion House (Mid Stonehall) c.1873.

Hamilton Historian  Terence (Terry) Murphy  Standing At The Exact Location Of The Neilsland Mansion House  c.2019.

Hamilton Historian  Terence (Terry) Murphy  Standing At The Foot Of The Original Stone Staircase Between The Neilsland Mansion House & Decorative Fountain Below  c.2019.

Hamilton Historian  Terence (Terry) Murphy  Standing Centremost On The Fountain Plynth In The Neilsland (Midstonehall) Estate  c.2019.

In the winter of 1872 the gardens of Neilsland Mansion House were improved with the assistance of Mr David Mitchell who was former head gardener to the Duke Of Hamilton. Later in 1873 the development of Neilsland’s policies began. As a water supply for the Neilsland Mansion House, the formation of Tor lake commonly known as the “Tally Hoe” commenced. The lake was situated behind what is now known as the Torhead Farm Housing Estate and is now almost completely dried out and resembles more of a quagmire or swamp. An Arboretum on both sides of the glen was also created along with Rockery and Pond. Work also began on the construction of the Swiss Cottage at this time. Burnhouse (Whisky Well Cottage) was built in 1873, it’s original use is unknown. Although Mr Alex Reith who was the Estate Factor for Neilsland and Earnock lived there for a brief spell before moving to Hillhouse Farmstead (Homefarm) which was also owned by John Watson. The current owner of the cottage is Mrs Kay Hamilton who is the spouse of the late Jim Hamilton.  Jim moved to the cottage during 1940 with his mother and father William (Wullie) Hamilton. In 1945 Wullie had three shops built next to the cottage; a newsagents, butchers and grocers.  And,  twelve years later (1957) he also built a pub named the Whisky Well.  Wullie sold the pub to Tennant’s Brewery during 1960. In more recent times the name of the pub was changed to: “The Duke Inn” and sadly it lay derelict for  some years but it is now being leased to the William Hill Bookmakers  franchise who  sublet  the pub and  have restored  the original  ” Whisky Well ” name!.  After Wullie died during 1962 his son Jim took over the 3 shops. The shops were later converted to one shop and a separate post office store in later years. More recently  the building was converted again to be one shop which incorporated a post office and  Mrs Kay Hamilton still owns and leases the property to (Scotmid/Co-Operative stores) to this present day. 

Hamilton Historian   Terence (Terry) Murphy  Showing Stone Staircase Remains  c.2019.

HAMILTON HISTORIAN  TERENCE (TERRY) MURPHY BESIDE A SCOT’S PINE PLANTED c. 1870’S  IN THE NEILSLAND (MIDSTONEHALL) ESTATE  C.2019.

Tor Lake (Tally Hoe)  c.1877.

Rockery with Small Waterfall at Neilsland  c.1877.

A tree lined Avenue between Old Neilsland and Woodhead was created in 1873. This photo c. 1877.

Gamekeeper’s House at Woodhead  c.1877.

Cottages & Gamekeeper’s House at end of Avenue at Woodhead.  c.1877.

The former location of the Cottages and Gamekeeper’s House at the end of the Avenue at Woodhead. The arrow marks the location of the well which is also visible in the 1877 photo. Woodhead Primary is in the background  c.2016.

Hamilton Historian  Terence (Terry) Murphy Standing  Next To A Well At The Original Avenue Between Woodhead & Old Neilsland  c.2019.

c.1910 map clipping showing Avenue and other Key Features of the estate.

Swiss Cottage, Neilsland  c.1877.  Lord Byron Statue Is Visible Just Left of the Cottage.

HAMILTON HISTORIAN  TERENCE (TERRY) MURPHY  AT THE FOUNDATION REMAINS OF THE SWISS COTTAGE  IN THE FORMER NEILSLAND (MIDSTONEHALL) ESTATE C.2019.

The Summer-House was constructed across from the Swiss Cottage  at a lower level on the other side of the pond.  This photo c.1877.

Burnhouse (Whisky Well Cottage)  c.1877.

Burnhouse (Whisky Well Cottage)  c.2016. You can see the extension on the right of the building which was added during the 1990’s. Located at 51 Neilsland Rd, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire ML3 8HQ. It is a Grade C British Listed Building.

In May 1874 George Gordon gave up his lease of Old Neilsland House and Mr & Mrs David Laird Gibson took over as tenants. A few years later Mr Gibson died and on the 29th of April 1879 Sir John Watson Bt of Earnock married Harriet Drew Mackenzie (Gibson’s Spouse). John Watson’s first wife Agnes Simpson had died some years before.

In the year of 1879 Sir John Watson Bt of Earnock purchased the Meikle Earnock estate from Mr Matthew Dick Clelland. He also aquired the lands of Hollandbush from Mr Daniel Clark. Watson subsequently owned to properties at Hollandbush;  1): Oakenshaw, which he leased to the Cadzow Coal Company to use as a manager’s House. And 2): Fairview, both buildings no longer exist.

Statues by Carluke Sculptor Robert Forrest were purchased for the Neilsland Estate and  placed around the gardens and various spots within the glen. A full list of the statues can be seen in my other History note; “Earnock House & Estate”. No intact statues remain on the Neilsland Estate but there are the headless remains of “Lord Byron” and the commonly referred to “Little Feet” which is the remains of a baby boy statue called “The Infant Saviour” or “Promised Child”. This statue was cherub like in appearance and cemented to a stone pedestal at the end of a small footbridge crossing the weir. The metal angled bracket that was fixed to the head of the statue would have had a small saucer shaped cup for holding a candle that illuminated the bridge path as well as giving the illusion of a halo around the child’s head. 

Hamilton Historian  Terence (Terry) Murphy With The headless remains of  Lord Byron located at the Rockery  c.2019.

Victoria Building/Hamilton Granada Theatre.

The Victoria Building/Hamilton Granada Theatre  c.2016.

This is a grade: C British Listed building. It was designed and built by the Downie Family from Hamilton during the 1880’s. Robert Downie was a builder, property owner, landlord and operator of Hollandbush Quarry in Hamilton. He first built the properties  143-155 Quarry Street at the junction of John Street/Quarry Street.  This building consisted of two levels of houses (flats) with shops on the ground floor. The building still exists to this day with the same function and purpose. The three storey neighbouring “Victoria Building” which contained the Victoria Halls was built and opened in September of 1877. It was named Victoria because of the Jubilee Year of Queen Victoria. Hence also the Victoria Bar on the same row!

Stone carving (wall plaque) detail for Jubilee Year.

The building contained the “Lesser Hall” and the larger “Victoria Hall”. The Victoria Hall had an auditorium, stage and proscenium arch. And, could accommodate 1,500 on mainly bench seating. There was also open chairs at the front of the gallery.

Impresario, Baritone and Pianist W T. Rushbury staged his version of Rob Roy during the first week of opening in October 1887. Over twenty years under the name of Victoria Halls the venue was mostly used for; meetings, rallies, variety acts and concerts. The Grand Templar’s Harmonic Association performed weekly and the Hamilton Choral Union appeared on a seasonal basis.

Sir Harry Lauder who once lived in Hamilton whilst working as a miner appeared on stage several times. During 1891 he and his wife Nance Vallance held their wedding reception in the “Lesser Hall” of the Victoria Building.

The Downie Family ownership ended when Hamilton’s Temperance Halls CoOperative Building Society bought the property. The CoOperative sold the building in 1906 to Glasgow Pavillion Ltd who, also owned the Pavillion Theatre at Renfield St, Glasgow. 2 years later the Glasgow Pavillion Co. gave up their intentions on developing the building because they failed to obtain all the licences required and the company had become more focused on a picture house and variety theatre in the Larkhall area.

The renowned Edward H. Bostock became the new owner at the Victoria. Internal alterations were made and the building name was changed to “The Playhouse Cinema”, it became Hamilton’s first picture house! Bostock also owned the Hamilton Hippodrome. Mr Rene Clayton managed both the Hippodrome and the Playhouse.

E H. Bostock.

Hamilton’s Hippodrome which used to be located at Townhead Street.

During 1947 the Playhouse (Victoria Building) went back to showing variety acts and the property name became “Hamilton Granada Theatre”. A series of well known acts made regular appearances including Jimmy Logan and a young Andy Stewart.

The variety act was brought to an abrupt ending because of television as was the purpose of the building! Businessman Jan Stepek bought the building in 1958 making it his headquarters. The building was altered internally with another floor/level being added to the former auditorium space, so it was more suited to his business use. Stepek retired in 2000 and the building fell into disrepair.

When Stepek owned the building.

When the building fell into disrepair.

A few years ago Clyde Valley Housing Association bought the property. The building’s facade was retained but the halls/rear structure was demolished to make way for new apartments. The ground floor is now a Dominoes Pizza Shop, a sign of modern times!

Written by

Hamilton Historian

Terence (Terry) Murphy.

Ref. Hamilton Cinemas. Scottish Cinema Database. cinematreasures.org.Granada Theatre in Hamilton.GB. http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/hamiltontheatres.

Earnock House & Estate.

Earnock House c.1889.

The ancient estate of Earnock is located in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. And extended from the west side of Strathaven Road to the western extremity of the lands of Hamilton.

The area circled red  in the above map clipping  indicates the approximate location of the former Earnock House. Which is now the top end of Rederech Crescent in the Earnock Housing Estate, Hamilton , South Lanarkshire.

The word “Earnock” derives from the celtic word “Earnogg” meaning; “The Old Son’s Possessions”.

The original Earnock House was clearly built during the succession of ownership of the Fuedal Robertoun Lairds. However, the actual date of construction is unknown and undocumented!

Earnock House before extentions/additions were built c.1877.

The Earnock estate which was included in the Original 1314 Grant Of The Barony Of Cadzow was given to Walter Fitz-Gilbert by  King Robert The Bruce. It was received by Robert De Robertoun by Fuedal Charter between 1160-1200 from either Malcom IV or William I. The Robertouns were Feudal Lairds of Earnock from prior to 1226-1296 and 1390-c.1700, As they were dispossessed  for signing the Ragman Roll (Rampant Scotland). Simon Robertoun regained the Earnock estate through marriage to a daughter of David Fitz Walter of Cadzow. James Robertoun 12th laird of Earnock sold the estate towards the end of the 1700’s to a  Mr Semple who resold it around 1810 to Mr A. Millar Esquire who was a local wealthy land and property owner. Mr Millar died and his sister Mrs Williams bacame the owner. On the 1st October 1873 Mrs Williams sold the estate to John Watson (who later became Sir John Watson Bt of Earnock in 1895). The estate was sold under agreement that Mrs Williams could continue to rent the mansion house located on the property for the rest of her life. She died just one year later in 1874 and John Watson became the owner of both the Earnock Mansion House and Estate!

Portrait of  Sir John Watson 1st Bt Of Earnock  wearing his Deputy lord Lieutenant  Of  Lanarkshire Uniform  c.December 1892.

In June of 1875 the repairs and alterations of Earnock House were finished, the house had also been fully furnished by this time. Further additions to the mansion house which included a tower (the “Margaret” Tower) were completed in 1881 and attributed to William Leiper Architect. The main mantelpiece of the house was designed by a Mr J. Small.

The “Margaret” Tower addition completed c.1881, this photo c.1889.

Earnock House Entrance/Hallway c.1889.

Earnock House Drawing Room c.1889.

 

Glasshouse at Earnock Built c.1881 This photo c.1888.

Sir John Watson Bt of Earnock was a prolific breeder of Clydesdale horses. Stables were constructed on his estate between 1876-1877. Built using local sandstone from the area.

This photo of the stables  c.1889.

This photo of Earnock Gardens c.1877. The grounds of the Earnock Estate also had a tennis court, bowling green and a golf course  which was  developed at a later date.

HAMILTON HISTORIAN   TERENCE  (TERRY) MURPHY   AT THE EARNOCK COVENANTER MEMORIAL/GRAVE  C.2019.

Statues created by Carluke Sculptor Robert Forrest were purchased for the Neilsland and Earnock Estates by a Mr Mitchell during November of 1876. Other statues were purchased over the years but no documentation of the bills of sales exist. The list of statues included were;

Burns resting from the plough,   Old Norval,  Henry Bell (inventor of the steamboat), Charles XII of Sweden,  A Cossack Prince under an oak,  Sisters of Scio,  Lord Lovat (from Howgarth’s painting),  Lord Byron,  King Robert The Bruce & war horse (receiving poem from Monk of Baston),  Napoleon and his Charger Marengo,  Busts of Effie and Jeanie Deans,  The pirate from Sir Walter Scott and some other figures.

There are broken remains of statues in the Earnock and Neilsland Estates but the only surviving fully intact statue is the Sisters of Scio. Still sitting in its original position (now a private garden) in Earnock.

Hamilton  Historian. Terence (Terry) Murphy.  Sitting next to the Sisters of Scio statue  c.2015.

Two other statues that were purchased for the Earnock and Neilsland estates were “The Fall of Mazeppa”, sculpted during 1834. And, “The Gentle Shepherd” sculpted 1852. Both statues have been on display since 1926 in Hamilton’s Bothwell Rd Public Park.

The Gentle Shepherd.

The Ghoulish Desecration Of Meikle Earnock Burial Ground c.1895.

John Murphy,  a 14 year old boy who worked as a pony driver from Eddlewood was responsible for the ghoulish desecration  of the Meikle Earnock Burial Ground.  Murphy along with four of his friends met with each other on the afternoon of Sunday 14th April 1895. One of the lads informed the rest of the group that a vault in the graveyard was open. They made their way there and noticed that a group of other lads had gathered.

The location of the burial ground (now grassed area) is in  Fairhill,  Hamilton,  South Lanarkshire.  Scotland.  Between Millgate Rd & Neilsland Rd.

Murphy entered the open vault and lighted a match, according to a witness. He went  to one of the coffins that was lying open and had a number of loose bones in it and proceeded to open a coffin next to it! He put his hands in and extracted a skull from it and, then brought it out the vault displayed on the end of a stick. He threw the skull onto the ground and smashed it with the stick saying; he “wanted to know what was in it!”. The 14 year old then made his way back into the vault to bring out another skull and when his friends reacted  with concern he gave up the notion!

A few days before the incident a local police officer had visited the graveyard following a report that a vault was open. The door was sitting open by about 6 inches as it had been parted from the framework fixings. The officer fixed the door in such a way that it made the vault temporarily secure until the owners could have it repaired correctly. The officer also informed the court (who had John Murphy on trial) that the same vault had been broken into five years before. Coffin cords had been stolen and little girls from the village were at the time using them as skipping ropes! When the Sheriff   asked Murphy to explain his reason for committing such a ghoulish act. Murphy simply denied that he had lighted a match!

In the above photo the circled red box marks the position of a former staircase.

The Sheriff   imposed a fine of 15s with the option of 10 days imprisonment by means of a “Warning” that the boy does not commit such a sacrilegious misdeed again!

Written by

Hamilton Historian.

Terence (Terry) Murphy.

*I first wrote and published this history note on 8th March 2016.*

ref. Hamilton Herald  page 4,  3/5/1895.

Electric lighting At Earnock Colliery.

Earnock Colliery.

History has told us over the years that the electric light bulb was invented by Thomas Edison. However, it was in fact Joseph Swan who first invented the modern incandescent light bulb. Swan began working on his design as early as 1850 and in 1860 he obtained a U.K. patent after demonstrating a working design using a vaccum  and carbon filament. By 1878 Swan had further improved his design and was granted a U.K. patent. He gained his U.S. patent in 1880 which was the same year Thomas Edison gained his.

Clearly there was a rivalry developing between the two men and their companies. Edison attempted to sue Swan in the U.K. for copyright infringement but, he lost. As part of the settlement the court ordered that Joseph Swan should be made partner of Thomas Edison’s British Electric Works Company. Thus the Edison and Swan United Electric Company was formed. It later became known as “Ediswan”.

Joseph Swan.

Thomas Edison.

Swan and Edison Lamps.

Ediswan Adverts.

On the afternoon of August 9th 1881 at Earnock Colliey, Hamilton, belonging to Sir John Watson Bt of Earnock, was the scene of an interesting ceremony which marked a new era in the annals of mining history!  For Sir John Watson’s Earnock colliery was the first colliery in Scotland and second in Britain to have electric lighting installed.

Sir John Watson 1st Bt of Earnock.

Sir John Watson decided to give Joseph Swan a trial. He commissioned messrs. D & E Graham Electrical Engineers of Glasgow to install Swan’s incandescent lamps with modifications (making them safe for use) in the mine. A large party of dignitaries where led down into the workings of the Ell Seam at a depth of 118 fathoms. There at the pit bottom, at the roads and at the face where, 21 Swan lamps burning, giving forth a steady luminous flame. Besides the pear-shaped Swan lamps there was an outer lantern which was the invention of Mr David Graham. Consisting of  strong glass, air-tight globes with steel guards.  Each lamp was also connected with D. Graham’s safety cut-off air-tight contacts and switches, in case of any gas leaks.

The lighting was powered by a 12 horse power engine that was erected at the mine workshops on the surface. The cables that led down into the pit were made of copper wire and surrounded by rubber galvanized tubing.

After the dignitaries inspected the mine, they were photographed in three separate groups by the famous photographer “Thomas Annan” of Glasgow. The party was then led to the haulage engine room to inspect the lighting there. At a later point and of course from a safe distance, a shot was fired bringing down a large mass of coal from the mine face. The dignitaries had spent approximately 1 hour below ground before returning to the surface.

In the same year of 1881 electric light was installed in Earnock House which also belonged to Sir John Watson Bt. The town of Hamilton did not receive electricity until 1903.

Written by

Hamilton Historian

Terence (Terry) Murphy.

A special thanks to Sir Simon Watson 6th Bt of Earnock for giving me permission to use the photographs!

Ref.www.kstc.co.uk/josephswan/compare.html. & Scientific American Supplement No 299 Sept 24th 1881.