Wells At Woodhead.

There are two ancient wells located in the Woodhead area of Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. One at each end of The Avenue, Neilsland. It was the avenue that linked Cottages and a Shooting Lodge (Gamekeeper’s House) to Old Neilsland House, forming part of the original Neilsland Estate. The wells are approximately 143 years old and were the main water source for the immediate area. The land in front of the properties mentioned gradually sweeps downhill towards Burnhouse (The Whisky Well Cottage) and was originally used as a sheepfold for cattle to graze. The area is now the built up housing estates of Woodhead, Swisscot, Meikle Earnock, Burnhouse Crescent, West Wellbrae and some of Fairhill. The woodland up behind the properties and between Torheads and Highstonehall is where shooting parties were held for hunting pheasant, grouse and game.

The first well as seen in the photograph above can be easily accessed as it is located just outside Woodhead Primary School. There is a protective metal grill built into the well so it is perfectly safe to allow kids to approach and have a look at. It is built from blonde sandstone and has dressed concrete moulded coping stones. Two of which have been loosened and are lying on the ground. Although it’s not very clear, you can just make out the shape of the well which is circled red in the c. 1877 Thomas Annan photograph shown below.

Walking along the avenue heading towards Old Neilsland House (the Woodhead Bar location) your senses become heightened by the rich history of the area. As though you are being transported back in time! Not just because you can see, smell and even touch most of the original trees that line the avenue but because you are travelling along a straight path on an elevated plain. It is easy to separate yourself from the landscape below, look out and visualize the green rolling hills of the picturesque pastureland that it once was. Two fine tree specimens mark the location of the second well (which is a crumbled sandstone ruin) at The Avenue, Neilsland. One is the prehistoric Monkey Puzzle Tree and the other is a Redwood; A Giant Sequoia. Given the size of these trees they were most likely planted around the timeline of when the improvements were being made to the avenue c.1877. Located within the former garden of Old Neilsland House, which has sadly become overgrown and used as a regular dumping ground for local residents who do not appreciate their history or heritage and have the gall to litter and dirty their own doorstep! There are also conifer and yew trees in this area as well as rhododendron shrubs.

Tor Lake was the water supply for Neilsland House (Mid Stonehall). It was constructed in the land of Torheads. The lake was commonly known by locals as the “Tally-Ho” because of the hunting connection as mentioned above. The phrase: “Tally-Ho” is the huntsman’s cry when the quarry (pheasant or game) is sighted. The lake also supplied the water being fed to troughs around the estate, the Woodhead Cottages and Shooting Lodge and the Wells at The Avenue, Neilsland. Water was fed down to the area via cast iron pipeline, before it was split into two separate courses at an L-Shaped junction tunnel entrance point. Each water course was then fed to the areas listed.

The water tunnel pipeline leading to Woodhead etc has a brick built cistern/valve viewing access box, the brickwork of the box is still there to this day although the cover for it is missing. There was another cast-iron pipeline junction split within the water tunnel leading to Neilsland (Mid Stonehall). And, this pipeline ran the length of the Overthrow Dyke for the Railway Line (Black Path). Remains of the pipeline can still be found to this day. It continued on to a concrete built water storage tank and was then piped down to the house, then the fountain and finally down to the rockery area which had small waterfalls and pools incorporated within it’s design.

Now, going back to the fore-mentioned L-shaped junction split. The tunnel to the right of the split fed water to Woodhead etc. And the straight length of tunnel which was a continuation passed the inner junction split towards Neilsland (Mid Stonehall) served as an overflow for the excess water and it drained down to the Neilsland Burn within the estate. Close to the sandstone built decorative Neilsland Burn tunnel exit point. A close-up of the overflow tunnel exit point is detailed in the photograph above and the cast-iron syver grating for the end of it is now missing.

Written By

Hamilton Historian.

Terence (Terry) Murphy.

Ref: John Watson Journals, Thomas Annan Photographs and My Own Local Knowledge Of The Area.

The Avenue, Neilsland.

Oil painting on canvas depicting the ancient avenue that linked Woodhead, which was a row of Cottages and a Shooting Lodge (Aka Gamekeeper’s House) to Old Neilsland House. The position of the former cottages and shooting lodge at Woodhead are now the present-day location of Woodhead Primary School. And, The Woodhead Bar is now the present-day location of where Old Neilsland House once stood.

A single horse drawn cart travels along the avenue towards Old Neilsland which can be seen in the distance (centre of the painting). The cart was possibly carrying a barrel filled with water for use at Old Neilsland House and Stables. As, a clutch of hens are standing next to a stationary cart with empty barrels on the right, just outside a small cottage. A basic wooden bowl shaped well can be seen just left before the pasture field gate in the painting. This well was the main water supply for the immediate area. Later during the same year a more substantial square shaped well built from metal with a pump attached to it was installed as a replacement. This can be easily cross-referenced against the Thomas Annan c. 1877 photograph of The Avenue And Pump Well.

And, later again (probably less than a year as this coincided with the improvements being made to The Avenue and completion of the construction of the Shooting Lodge “Gamekeeper’s House”) an even larger circular shaped sandstone well with dressed coping stones was built.

For at least 143 Years The Woodhead Well and many of the original trees that line The Avenue, Neilsland have withstood the test of time! In fact the Avenue alone predates the above painting and Thomas Annan photo because you can see that it was already long established. The original dirt track is of course now surfaced in tarmacadam. The Avenue is now intersected by Balmore Drive. The section on the right of Balmore Drive is the road leading to Woodhead Primary School. And, the left section is a footpath leading to the Woodhead Bar and Meikle Earnock Store.

Hamilton Historian. Terence (Terry) Murphy. Standing next to The Woodhead Well at The Avenue, Neilsland c. Feb 2021.

Written By

Hamilton Historian.

Terence (Terry) Murphy.

Ref: South Lanarkshire Council, Low Parks Museum & Their Online Collection. The John Watson Journals.

PIGS AND PUPPIES; OR, HAVING THE WRONG SOW BY THE EAR.

The Robertons of Earnock, in the parish of Hamilton, were one of the oldest families in that part of the country, and could trace their origin to a more remote antiquity than many of the noble families in their neighbourhood. The last of these Lairds, who died upwards of fifty years ago, was noted for many good qualities, not unmixed with some eccentricities. Among the latter of these, was a strange fondness for hunting-dogs, which he permitted to roam at large, and to live at bed and board with himself ; and generally from twenty to thirty might be seen following him on his peregrinations around the country, or, if at home, snugly dosing around him on the hearth. Among the then pendicles attached to this strange establishment, was a family fool named Robert McMath, who was perhaps the last of his species in Scotland. His neighbour, Captain Gilchrist, of Eddlewood the maternal grandfather of the celebrated Lord Cochrane, now Earl Dundonald, frequently rallied him on these points, but in vain ; the Laird of Earnock was incurable; but at the same time, he did not think less of his kind-hearted neighbour and disinterested adviser, and, accordingly, various small marks of attention and of mutual regard frequently passed between the two families, of which the following is an instance :__The Laird of Earnock had on one occasion a large litter of pigs of a very superior breed, and as he wished to send a couple of them to Captain Gilchrist, Robin the fool was instantly dispatched with them in a pock which he carried over his shoulders, with directions to say to the family at Eddlewood, that they were ” From the Laird of Earnock, and would serve for a roast, or to amuse the weans. ” The weans at this time were Lord Cochrane and his brother. The distance between Earnock house and Eddlewood is about two miles ; and as ill luck would have it, a party from Hamilton happened on the same day to be playing at quoits, and dining at a small public-house about half-way between the two mansion-houses. When Robin was seen approaching with his burden on his back, they instantly ” smelled a rat ; ” and having persuaded him to go in and take a drink of swipes or ale, they in the mean time took out the two pigs, and placed two pups in their place ; and having helped Robin on with his burden, sent him on his way rejoicing. On arriving at Eddlewood, he met Captain Gilchrist himself, where, having done so, he was confounded to see two pups, instead of two pigs, make their debut. Captain Gilchrist thinking it was a joke of his friend, ordered Robin to repack his charge, and carry them back to his master. When Robin reached the fatal public-house on his return home, he was again enticed to go in ; and while he was partaking of another refreshment, the pigs were re-placed and the dogs taken out, when the simple dupe was despatched as formerly. On his arrival at Earnock, he began to upbraid the Laird for having sent him on so fruitless an errand ; when, being ordered again to ” turn them out, ” to his infinite amazement and consternation, the dogs had again become pigs. His master, having questioned him where he had been, saw through the trick, ordered him again to get the pigs on his back, and to be sure and never set them down till he reached Eddlewood ; but Robin was refractory , and made of as qiuckly as possible, remarking, with a shrug of the shoulder and a significant leer of the eye, ” Na, na, maister, I’ve carried the Deil lang enough ; you may carry him a bit yoursel noo. “

The anecdote above is an excerpt from the book titled;

” THE LAIRD OF LOGAN: OR, ANECDOTES AND TALES ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE WIT AND HUMOUR OF SCOTLAND. By John Donald Carrick, &Co. c. 1845 “.

The family fool ” Robert McMath ” is later referred to as ” Robin ” in the story. The original name of the public-house mentioned in the story was ” The Ale House ” and it is now known as ” Guys Inn “, at 93 Meikle Earnock Road, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire Scotland ML3 8AG.

Transcribed And Republished By

Hamilton Historian.

Terence (Terry) Murphy.

Ref; The Laird Of Logan Book (details listed above).

Hamilton Historian.

Poster with links to Hamilton Historian. Terence (Terry) Murphy.

Historian For Hamilton, Scotland.

https://hamiltonhistorian.wordpress.com/

Hamilton Historian. Terence (Terry) Murphy.

Hello, I am the Historian for the Town of Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. The main focus of my interest relates to the nearby ancient estates of Neilsland and Earnock, which were formerly owned by the successful Coalmaster Sir John Watson Bt. My plan for the forthcoming years ahead is to document as much detailed historical information as possible regarding these estates and adjoining areas. There is still a great deal of research to be done. I will also highlight the unknown and forgotten history of the Town that I find interesting. History that Hamiltonians should know! And, how the Influential People, Characters, Stories, Architecture and Landscape have affected me on a personal level.

I will publish Local History Articles and Photograph Notes as well as Answering Questions and providing Social Media Commentary. All of my work is researched and written by myself and I do not make any amount of money for doing so. Since I was a boy I have been very passionate about my local history and hopefully you will see that this comes through in my writing. Thank you for taking the time to visit my page, I hope you enjoy!

Terry Murphy.

Local Historian For Hamilton, Scotland.

https://hamiltonhistorian.wordpress.com/

Hamilton Historian. Terence (Terry) Murphy. New Logo Black & White.

Historian For Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland.

https://hamiltonhistorian.wordpress.com/

Hamilton Historian. Terence (Terry) Murphy.

New Colour Logo/Avatar.

Young Street, Hamilton.

” Young Street ” which no longer exists, was located between Church Street and Campbell Street within the Old Town Area of Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. Demolished during c. 1930 to make way for the present-day council housing. This is a glass negative slide- image of Young Street, Hamilton. Taken c.1890.

A small boy wearing a tartan bunnit can be seen peeking round the corner of Church Street at a little girl who looks to be heading in the same direction. The houses are two-storey , whitewashed lime rendered. And, each of the downstairs windows have wooden shutters for security. The visible dirty street gutter zig zag twists towards Campbell Street, where, the “Hamilton Advertiser” building can be seen centre of shot.

Below is another glass negative slide-image of Young Street, Hamilton. Again, taken c.1890. This is an opposite view looking up from the Campbell Street end.

Written By

Hamilton Historian.

Terence (Terry) Murphy.

ref. A special thanks to South Lanarkshire Council, Low Parks Museum and their online collection.

Curling At Hamilton.

Curling At Hamilton.-Mrs T. Watson (hostess) and members of the house party watching a keen shot at the curling match which was held at Neilsland House, Hamilton, yesterday. This was the first curling match in Hamilton district this winter. Newspaper Clipping taken from the Glasgow Herald at 65 Buchanan Street, Glasgow, C.1, January 6, 1931.

The members of the house party (as indicated by the initials of their names on the above photograph) are as follows:

SHW. Somerled Hamilton Watson (Who was the Father of Sir Julian Watson 7th Bt of Neilsland And Earnock).

LHW. Lucy Hamilton Watson (AKA Mrs T. Watson (Hostess) and Mother of SHW, LDW and JLVJ).

LDW. Leslie Dundas Watson (Who was the Father of Sir Simon Watson 6th Bt of Neilsland And Earnock).

JLVJ. Jeanette Lucy Vickers Jack (Maiden name “Watson” Who was the author of The Neisland Monster Story).

EMW. Enid Margaret Watson (Maiden name “Conran” Who was Wife of Leslie Dundas Watson and Mother of Sir Simon Conran Hamilton Watson 6th Bt of Neilsland And Earnock).

The curling matches held at Neilsland House were actually played on the tennis court which was purposefully designed to be flooded during the winters months to provide a solid sheet of ice for curling. Larger games and tournaments were held at the frozen Torr Lake (which was commonly referred to as the Tally-Ho) by locals in the area.

Written By

Hamilton Historian.

Terence (Terry) Murphy.

Ref: A special mention to the late Sir Simon Conran Hamilton Watson 6th Bt of Neilsland & Earnock who originally owned the newspaper clipping and gave me permission to use it.