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High Blantyre

1

The Auchinraith Vaults - Main Street, opposite Muir Street. Also known as Matt Boyles.

2

The Causeystanes Bar - Main Street, at Broompark Road. Now known as Blakeleys c1894

3

The Athletic Bar - Main Street, approximately 80 yards past Blakeleys. Closed early 1900's

4

The Plough Inn - Main Street at Priestfield Street. The Apollo Bar, nicknamed J.B.'s the initials of the Pub owner, J.B. Strothers. circa1884

5

The Kirkton Bar - Main Street, approximately 50 yards past The Plough Inn. Closed early 1900's

6

The Caledonian Bar - Main Street, approximately 50-60 yards before The Victoria Bar, referred to as Captain MacNeil's and as “The Hielandmans” in homage to Captain MacNeil. They ran the pub for nine years before moving their business to Glasgow Road in 1934. They took over The Farmers Club, which is now known as The West End Bar. The Caledonian Bar closed in the early 1940's.

7

The Victoria Bar - Main Street at High Blantyre Cross. Owned by Mrs Gilmurray. Now known as Carrigan's

8

The Kirkton Vaults - Main Street, approximately 60-70 yards before High Blantyre Railway Station. Also known as Strang's and Ma Broon's.

9

The Larkfield Bar - Broompark Road. Originally known as The McTavish Inn, demolished and rebuilt, now known as Papa Frank's and The Doon Inn.

10

The Manhattan Bar - Broompark Road. Built on the site of Collin's Bakery. Recently called Finbars now The Larkfield Bar.

11

Barnhill Tavern - A former Stage Coach Post. Known locally as The Hoolets Nest, probably the oldest established Pub in Blantyre. 1745

Low Blantyre

12

McCaffries Bar - Springwell Place, Glasgow Road. Also known as McCafferty's. It's known today as Miller's Fireplaces.

13

The Horseshoe Bar - Corner of Glasgow Road at Auchinraith Road. Also known as Kelly's Corner Bar, after James Kelly of Glasgow Celtic fame, a former owner.

14

The Livingstonian Bar - Glasgow Road at Forrest Street. Owned by McLachlan the Brewers. Also referred to as The Tap Shoap.

15

The Smiddy Bar - Glasgow Road at Merry's Rows (Elm Street) Opposite The Wellington Bar, also known as Maggie McGuires.

16

The Wellington Bar - Glasgow Road at Clark Street. A pub often frequented by the Lithuanian people of Blantyre and Burnbank, noted for its famous Dark Light Beer.

17

The Castle Vaults - Glasgow Road at John Street opposite Marshall's Shoe Shop, The Black Diamond owned by McLachlan the Brewers and known as The Bottom Shop.

18

The Priory Bar - Glasgow Road at Priory Place (Logan Street) Often frequented my Free Masons because of the adjacent Masonic Hall.

19

The Cosy Corner Bar - Glasgow Road at Greenside Place Street. The Stud, opposite Harper's Garage.

20

The Central Bar - Glasgow Road opposite The Ale House, owned by Bernards the Brewers. Also known as Sullivan's a former Manager, then latterly known as Fallon's.

21

The Ale House - A Public House opposite The Central Bar, which served only Ale, hence its name. Closed in the early 1900's then opened as Hill's Pawn, latterly Oreste's.

22

The Stonefield Tavern - Glasgow Road at Priory Street. Formerly known as Fred Raes, then Teddy's. Currently a Rangers Theme Pub run by Andy Gorum of Rangers and Scotland. Another old Pub of Blantyre.

23

The Old Original Bar - Glasgow Road at Stonefield Road. Also known as Craig's. Established 1882. The present building was erected in 1903 by Robert Craig.

24

The Commercial Bar - Stonefield Road opposite Calder Street. Also known as Murdoch's or Pepper's after Tam Pepper, a former owner and notorious teller of tall tales! Now known as The Priory Inn.

25

The Red Lion Bar - Stonefield Road opposite The Commercial Bar. Built on the site of the old Independent Co-op. Closed by redevelopment.

26

The Parkville Roadhouse - Glasgow Road. Formerly the home of Dr John Cowan Wilson and an adjacent house. Opened in 1959. Refurbished in 2009.

27

The Volunteer Arms - Walker's Building, Glasgow Road, West End. Also known as The Crossguns, owned by Mr Roberts whose son John owned The Priory Bar.

28

The West End Bar - West End Place, Glasgow Road. Approximately 50-60 yards from The Volunteer Arms. Also known as Bennett's, a previous owner and The Farmers Club. Latterly owned by the family of Captain MacNeil who earlier owned The Caledonian Bar.

29

The Village Bar - Station Road. Formerly Blantyre Works General Store. I have an old Postcard addressed to a Mr John Tyre, The Village Bar 1905!

Auchintibber

30

The Inn - Situated in this old community which was built to house the Iron and Stone Miner's and families. Circa 1870

These then, are the public houses of Blantyre. Plus we have the Clubs: The Auchinraith Social Club, Blantyre YMCA Social Club (1920's), Blantyre Miner's Social Club, Blantyre Celtic Club, Blantyre Victoria Club, The Union Jack Club, The Columbia Club, The Hotels: Whistleberrys - formerly Bla'an'tir Inn and The Stones Hotel, and The Stanley Hotel. And finally the Nightclubs: Rascals or Casper's Nightclubs and Hastie's Farm, not to mention all the grocer's and off licence premises.

My thanks to Blantyre Heritage Group, especially Ian Hay, for their assistance in the revised compilation of this comprehensive list.

James Cornfield 2006

Added and Amended by Bill