When I was a boy I forded the river under the motorway bridge to go explore the grounds of the house. We thought it was abandoned but a very cranky farmer lived there. This was in the late 90s. There is actually a ruined village from couple hundred years ago further on from the house in direction towards Lanark which is hidden in the woods. In case anyone fancies exploring. I can't believe how much the area has changed since I was a boy. All around Chatelheraut and Ferniegier is built up now, it was all fields and trees from Chatelheraut entrance to Hamilton. These are not positive changes. The world is so much the worse today since when I was a boy. Everywhere.
This battalion is descended from the oldest regiment of the British Army, the Royal Scots and another regiment called the King's Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB). Both were grand regiments.
I have a distant family connection to this place. Probably far too distant for it to really count as my family has been in Canada since the American Revolution. I did have the opportunity to visit it on New Year's Eve in 2000, on my way to Glasgow. Most of it was boarded up and sealed off as it cost too much to heat the entirety. There was quite the old character of a man living there at the time. Tattered grey tweed blazer and camo pants. Food crumbs stuck to his face. He considered himself the caretaker of the family lineage information that went with the house, although we couldn't determine which line I come from. I'm sure that gentleman has passed on by now. I'm curious if anyone knows who currently owns the house and if it gets used for any purpose. When I saw it, I immediately thought it would make an amazing boutique hotel or B&B. I'd hate to think of it falling into disrepair.
Great video of the Abbey! Three of my immigrant ancestors to colonial Virginia were English aristocrats who were descended from Devorguilla of Galloway who built this abbey in 1273 in honor of her husband John de Balliol. Devorguilla was a great granddaughter of King David I of Scotland. She has long fascinated me with accomplishments during her lifetime.
Thanks for this have several relations in Old Monkland Cemetery. Emigrated to the US around 1840. The keen thing the parish did a double wedding on the same day two Halbert brothers to two Boag sisters. Where I come from. -- cheers!
