FEATURES
T
he hidden gems of Renfrewshire’s past are mostly hidden beneath our feet, never to be seen again. However, in some cases such as Paisley Abbey’s magnificent Medieval Drain, currently under excavation once again, we do see glimpses into the past. Here we set out to explore historical parts of Renfrewshire buried below ground level. BANKHEAD MILL, NEW SNEDDON, PAISLEY Who has heard of the Bankhead Mill? Everyone knows of the Anchor Thread Works and Fergulsie Mills, but many have never heard of the other mills in Paisley. Bankhead was the first large scale thread manufacturer in Paisley, owned by John Carlile and followed by his sons William, James and Alexander. John arrived in 1743 with the sole intention of making linen thread. Their Bankhead Mill at Carlile Quay was established when John first arrived and their home, Greenbank House, was built beside the Mill on New Sneddon Street. Carlile Place along with Carlile Quay followed. The business was eventually bought by the Clark family and incorporated into the Anchor Mills, but the Carlile family made an impression on the town with William being Provost of Paisley twice, and James during 1822-24.
Inkerman School, photo by Thomas Graham, Digitalpict.com
Fact: Sir William Arrol constructed a Bascule Bridge over the White Cart at the foot of Carlile Place to allow workers at Thomas White & Son easier access to their workplace. The lifting mechanism is still there, but the bridge is now in a dangerous condition and at risk of disappearing altogether. Mar Hall Crannog, photo by Lairich Rig
INKERMAN VILLAGE, LINWOOD As you drive along the A737 from St James’ towards Linwood you pass over the lost village of Inkerman. As you cross Blackstone Road, Inkerman Bowling Club survives on the left. Further along on the right, Inkerman School survives as a restored cottage. The village consisted of three rows of cottages, plus the school and reading room, a shop, a mission hall and later the bowling club. The population by 1881 was 948. By 1891 it had fallen to 699 as the mines began to close. By 1940 the three rows of cottages had been demolished and they only survive now in our memories. Fact: The village was named after the 1854 British military victory at the Battle of Inkerman during the Crimean War.
MAR HALL CRANNOG Crannogs are usually referred to as loch dwellings but in Renfrewshire we have three that sit on the edge of the River
Clyde. They are essentially round houses built on piles made of tree trunks. One sits just off shore from Mar Hall Hotel. It is oval in shape, being 30m by 40m at its widest diameters. This site has never been excavated, but it has been recorded several times in the last 30 years. Dumbuck Crannog (NS71577392) on the north side of the Clyde, close to the whisky bonds of Dumbarton, has to be considered part of the Renfrewshire group. Excavations there uncovered a dock with a log boat still docked. Radiocarbon dates show that the crannog was built sometime between 200BC and AD200. Fact: During the excavations, the excavator paid his staff by the number of finds they made. Some of the finds were spectacular figurines carved from shale, along with other unusual objects. However, after a short period of time it was discovered they were forgeries, carved by the paid workmen and hidden during their lunch hour. MILL 21
