The Low Parks Museum c. 1950 (Without Rendering On Building).
The Low Parks Museum is the oldest building in the town centre of Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. It is a Grade A British Listed Building! Located at 129 Muir Street, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, which was the former Low Parks of the Duke Of Hamilton’s Estates. The building was originally known as “Portland” and was built in 1696. It was the private home of David Crawford, the secretary and lawyer to the 3rd Duke and Duchess of Hamilton.
Later in 1784 the 8th Duke of Hamilton purchased the building and it became a coaching inn called the “Hamilton Arms” Inn. The inn was an important stop for travellers visiting Hamilton Palace and the Falls Of The Clyde.
The building is in fact the oldest recorded pub in Hamilton and functioned as an inn providing food, drink and accommodation for travellers up until 1835. When the Duke converted the building into his estate offices. It served this function until 1963. It was then purchased by the town council , who opened it as the first burgh museum in 1967.
The Low Parks Museum c. 2016 (with rendering).
The Low Parks Museum front view c. 2016.
The second building to the rear of the right-hand side of the Museum is the former Hamilton Palace Riding School. It is also a Grade A British Listed Building! and was built in 1837 by Alexander Hamilton 10th Duke of Hamilton dubbed “El Magnifico”. During the 1920’s-1930’s the Riding School housed a gymnasium and regulation boxing ring and became “The Douglas And Clydesdale Amateur Boxing Club” and was founded by the Marquis of Douglas & Clydesdale who was the Duke of Hamilton’s son! Nicknamed “The Boxing Marquis” he was a keen skilled boxer at Oxford University. He later became the 14th Duke of Hamilton (Douglas Douglas-Hamilton). Since 1983 the former Riding School Building has served as a Regimental Museum and was acquired by the Scottish Rifles (Regimental Trustees of the Cameronians).
The Former Riding School for Hamilton Palace
now the Regimental Museum c. 2016.
Cigarette manufacturer advertisement for the “Boxing Marquis” .
The Boxing Marquis with his Trainer Dick Smith.
The Boxing Marquis sparring with Eddie Eagan
(American Olympic Boxer 1903-1973).
Written by
Hamilton Historian.
Terence (Terry) Murphy.
Ref: Low Parks Museum/SLC Museums Website and Wikipedia.