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.

Little Feet Statue Remains and Supporting Bracket.

Weir at Neilsland Estate showing location of the Little Feet Statue Remains  c.2015.

 

Hamilton Historian  Terence (Terry) Murphy At The Weir In The Former Neilsland (Midstonehall) Estate  c.2019.

Neilsland Mansion House was extended in 1890, two additional wings were built on either side of the house. The drawing room at one end had a crystal chandelier and marble pillars. At the opposite wing was the dining room. Several paintings by the Glasgow Boys hung on the walls. The ceiling had the Watson Coat of Arms painted on it. Bearing the motto “Insperata Flourit” meaning “It Flourishes Beyond Expectation”. The coat of arms was granted to Sir John Watson in 1871 by Lord Lyon, King of Arms.

The Drawing Room in Neilsland Mansion House  c.1893.

The Gate Lodge, Pillars, Gates and Railings were designed by Alex Cullen Architect. The drive was flanked by Rhododendrons. Next to the house a Hard Tennis Court was made, In the winter months it was flooded to provide a sheet of ice for Curling.

The Gate Lodge c.1893.

Hamilton Historian  Terence (Terry) Murphy At The Rebuilt/Modified  Gatelodge Entrance To The Former Neilsland (Midstonehall) Estate  c.2019.

Hamilton Historian  Terence (Terry) Murphy At The Rebuilt/Modified Gatelodge Entrance To The Former Neilsland (Midstonehall) Estate  c.2019.

Hamilton Historian   Terence (Terry) Murphy At The Corner  Parameter Wall Detailing For The Former Neilsland (Midstonehall) Estate  c.2019.

Lion and Unicorn Statues stood at the top and bottom of the stairs which lead from the mansion house down the five terraces to the fountain. The fountain was an elaborate carving of red sandstone standing 12.5 feet in height approximately. The centre piece was a salmon held in the jaws of an otter.

There are two other key features in the Neilsland Estate which there is no information or documentation for.  1): A Tunnel which was built to channel the Neilsland Burn underneath the former Railway Line ( now known as the “Black path”). The length of the tunnel is approximately 200 feet.  And 2): A small brick built WW2 Air Raid Shelter.

TUNNEL/NEILSLAND BURN ENTRANCE POINT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE  RAILWAY LINE/BLACK PATH.

TUNNEL/NEILSLAND BURN EXIT POINT ON THE NEILSLAND ESTATE SIDE.

HAMILTON HISTORIAN  TERENCE (TERRY) MURPHY AT THE WW2 AIR RAID SHELTER IN THE NEILSLAND (MIDSTONEHALL) ESTATE, HAMILTON,  SOUTH LANARKSHIRE, SCOTLAND.

Thomas William Watson.

LUCY WATSON.

Neilsland Mansion House was the home of Thomas and Lucy Watson. The house was gifted to them as a wedding present during 1891 from Thomas’s Father Sir John Watson Bt of Earnock. Thomas was the second son to the Baronet. He was a Writer to the Signet and Justice of the Peace.  Thomas died 1935 and his wife Lucy continued to live on the estate until she died during 1947. They had 4 sons together but it was only Douglas who remained at the estate until his death in 1958. The mansion house was demolished around 1960 and sadly there are no remains of the building left other than the base of the fountain and crumbled ruins of the staircase leading down to it.

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 all the photographs!

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.