Ken Smith wrote that "we both liked Biggar gasworks, too!"
Having returned to the southern uplands of Scotland two years ago, one part
of the itinerary was Biggar Gasworks. I groaned when I read the newspaper
account, because I too enjoyed my visit to this site, which I first saw 30+
years ago on a visit arranged by Bill Harvey and Geoff Downs-Rose (of
Wanlockhead fame). The gas museum's unsophisticated approach was such a
contrast with New Lanark (Robert Owen = social history and textiles for the
uninitiated) and its deep fried candyfloss.
The other little museums in Biggar did not feature, but they too are worth a
visit. The following is from their website:-
A unique group of museums in and around the market town of Biggar includes
Gladstone Court, a street of bygone shops; Greenhill, a 17th century
farmhouse which tells the story of the Covenanters; the local Gasworks now
an ancient monument and Moat Park which depicts Clydesdale from earliest
geological times to the 19th century. The writer, John Buchan and poet High
McDiarmid are celebrated in the John Buchan Centre at Broughton and
Brownsbank Cottage at Candymill.
There's also the Albion Museum, if old waggons do it for you:-
The Albion building houses vehicles and archives of Albion Motors, a
commercial vehicle manufacturing firm started in 1899. A small motor museum
is open at weekends.
We also found a good pub near the gasworks (though perhaps we should not
have gone on Scottish cup final day!).
It is truly a shame that Wanlockhead museum may be lost.
Mike Gill
|