Post by Waverley on Aug 5, 2007 14:46:04 GMT 1
Old Hall Mailing-The House of Provan Hall (March 1933)
Four and a half miles east of the Townhead district of Glasgow stands the house of Provan Hall, or Hall Mailing, as it was known of old; and few who see it in passing suspect how ancient it is, and how intimate has been its connection with the history of the city.
My favourite route to Provan Hall is by the bank of the Monkland Canal, a delightful walk in spring and summer, and one not to be despised even in winter.
On each visit I have been kindly received, and permitted to take photographs. An ancient archway leads from the farmyard into the courtyard between the 17th century dwelling-house and the older building, which is probably as old as Provand's Lordship, Glasgow's oldest house, and may, therefore, date from about the middle of the 15th century. It was the country residence of the Baillie family when they were Prebendaries of Provand in the 16th century; and the armorial stone above the aIel archway bears the date 1647, and the initials of Sir Robert Hamilton, whose grandfather acquired the property by marriage with Elizabeth Baillie.
Glasgow bought the estate of Provan in 1667, and parted with it again a hundred years later. In 1668 some repairs were made to the old house. The outside stair now leading to the upper storey was added then; but the circular walls of the old disused inside stair and turret can still be seen. From the great fireplace of the kitchen, now occupied by poultry, I could look up the wide chimney and see the sky. The other two vaulted chambers are now used as washinghouse and dairy. The upper rooms contain ancient fireplaces similar to those of Provand's Lordship. They have been used as workrooms, but are now in a state of considerable disrepair.
It is unfortunate that this interesting place should be subject to the destructive effects of subsidence due to underground workings. It is, in consequence, difficult to keep the buildings in condition; and about nine :years ago a curious accident occurred. I was shmvn a great heap of stones higher than myself, where the door of the old stable had at that time been.
Hearing a loud rumbling crash one day, the housekeeper ran out, and saw this huge pile of stones where she had seen her master standing only a few minutes before; and for one terrifying moment she feared he was buried beneath them. But to her immense relief he quickly appeared from the adjoining house to see what all the noise was about. He had left the stable just a few minutes before the entire corner of it had so suddenly collapsed!
Four and a half miles east of the Townhead district of Glasgow stands the house of Provan Hall, or Hall Mailing, as it was known of old; and few who see it in passing suspect how ancient it is, and how intimate has been its connection with the history of the city.
My favourite route to Provan Hall is by the bank of the Monkland Canal, a delightful walk in spring and summer, and one not to be despised even in winter.
On each visit I have been kindly received, and permitted to take photographs. An ancient archway leads from the farmyard into the courtyard between the 17th century dwelling-house and the older building, which is probably as old as Provand's Lordship, Glasgow's oldest house, and may, therefore, date from about the middle of the 15th century. It was the country residence of the Baillie family when they were Prebendaries of Provand in the 16th century; and the armorial stone above the aIel archway bears the date 1647, and the initials of Sir Robert Hamilton, whose grandfather acquired the property by marriage with Elizabeth Baillie.
Glasgow bought the estate of Provan in 1667, and parted with it again a hundred years later. In 1668 some repairs were made to the old house. The outside stair now leading to the upper storey was added then; but the circular walls of the old disused inside stair and turret can still be seen. From the great fireplace of the kitchen, now occupied by poultry, I could look up the wide chimney and see the sky. The other two vaulted chambers are now used as washinghouse and dairy. The upper rooms contain ancient fireplaces similar to those of Provand's Lordship. They have been used as workrooms, but are now in a state of considerable disrepair.
It is unfortunate that this interesting place should be subject to the destructive effects of subsidence due to underground workings. It is, in consequence, difficult to keep the buildings in condition; and about nine :years ago a curious accident occurred. I was shmvn a great heap of stones higher than myself, where the door of the old stable had at that time been.
Hearing a loud rumbling crash one day, the housekeeper ran out, and saw this huge pile of stones where she had seen her master standing only a few minutes before; and for one terrifying moment she feared he was buried beneath them. But to her immense relief he quickly appeared from the adjoining house to see what all the noise was about. He had left the stable just a few minutes before the entire corner of it had so suddenly collapsed!