Industry

Industry

Agriculture

"This is a pastoral district, and the dairy produce is what the farmers chiefly depend upon for the payment of their rents. The Dunlop cheese is made here as good as in any part of Scotland. In many parts of the parish little more land is cultivated than seems necessary for the support of the cattle. The lands, from one end of the parish to the other, are very favourable for pasture. There are, however, excellent crops of oats raised everywhere,- bear or big, barley, and on some farms to the east of Strathaven, excellent wheat. Great quantities of potatoes are also planted, which are chiefly disposed of to the farmers in the low country for seed. Though the soil be peculiarly adapted for turnips, yet they are not extensively cultivated; and in a district where so many cattle are reared, and so much food required, it seems not a little strange that this should be the case." The Third Statistical Account of the Parish, 1835. .Rev. William Proudfoot, Minister,

Cleughearn Farm

I'd like to see the old farm just once more,
and my old dog, a sleeping in the shade, beside the door;
hear the cattle lowing as they come home down the lane,
and watch an evening sunset o'er a field of waving grain.

I'd like to see my mother, just once more;
looking as she used to look in days of yore;
I'd like to see my Father as he was when I was young,
and hear him talk with Mother - in the braid auld Scottish tongue

I'd like to meet the neighbours that we had long, long, ago,
to talk of days of Auld Lang Syne, and friends we used to know;
I wonder why we wander and just what we hope to find,
to take the place of those we loved in the homes we left behind."

John Cochrane, Winnipeg, Canada.

Horses and Cows

"The real breed of Clydesdale horses is reared here in considerable numbers. Tradition states, that, at a remote period, one of the Dukes of Hamilton sent a superior breed of horses to Avondale. They were kept in the castle; and from these and the common mares of the country have sprung the real Lanarkshire or Clydesdale breed of horses. It has been alleged that of late this breed has been injured by being too much crossed with lighter horses, intended more for coaches and the saddle. They are, however, still to be found here in great perfection and beauty". The Third Statistical Account of Scotland, 1835. Rev. William Proudfoot, Minister.

"The cows kept here are of the Ayrshire kind. They are reared in great numbers. Indeed, it is said that this race of cattle can be obtained here as pure as in most places in Ayrshire. It has been alleged that the Ayrshire farmer, when tempted by a price, will part with the very best of his stock; while with us, the farmers retain the best, and part with those which are accounted not so valuable." (ibid).

Strathaven Town Mill

A Town Mill was established on this site, courtesy of the Ducal family of Hamilton, in the 16th century. And a working mill was continuous there until the 1930s when a new power house was installed. But by the 1960s the dereliction of the historic Town Mill had earned it the name of 'Dracula's Castle'. Subsequent restoration, under the aegis of Strathaven Arts Guild with the financial support of the former East Kilbride District Council, Manpower Services Commission and charitable donations, ensured the future of the Town Mill buildings as a centre for the arts in Strathaven and District. The property came into the ownership of Strathaven Arts Guild and is now styled the Strathaven Arts Centre. "Better Canna Be."

Weaving in Strathaven

Mrs Cumming, nee Jean Dalziel at her Spinning Wheel

Jean Dalziel, relict of Robert Cumming, died at Crofthead, Strathaven, 21st July, 1888 aged 85 years. Of the four girls pictured above right (all of them weavers) Jean's daughter appears first left back row.

"If it wusnae for the Weavers' whit wud we dae"

According to the Statistical Account of the Parish of Avondale of 1835 "numbers of weavers in both town and parish may be said to amount to nearly 800 . . . many of the weavers are proprietors of their own houses and upon the whole are diligent and industrious". By 1938 Handloom weaving in Strathaven had altogether ceased.

Mr John Anderson at the doorway of his house at
18 Hamilton Road, Flemington, Strathaven that was once owned by the proprietors of East Overton House whose coachman lived there.

A postcard depiction of Handloom Weavers (below) is postmarked Strathaven 27 March, 1907.

Weaver's Cottages, Glassford Road, Flemington, Strathaven

Employees of Frew's Textiles Factory, Strathaven.

Email:- [email protected]
[email protected]

http://www.geocities.com/currie642002
http://rpc12437.tripod.com