A visit to Douglasdale

[William Douglas]

It might seem strange that I have only just paid my first visit to the village of Douglas in Lanarkshire. I have driven passed the village on the motorway innumerable times, but this week, I made a special journey to the cradle of the Douglas family.

Castlemains, Douglas, Lanarkshire

I was fortunate to have as my guide, Jim Fleming, who wrote the history of St Bride's Church - and kindly gave me a copy to add to my Douglas library. Jim was patient, interesting and amusing, sharing history and myths. The Heritage Museum is normally only open at weekends, so I was privileged to have a special opening. The painters were busy in the church, but disappeared whilst I was looking around, leaving me with my ancestors.

Jim is also responsible for the historic clock - which chimes 3 minutes ahead of the hour, because, of course, a Douglas is 'Jamais arriere! I have to mention that the clock was actually 30 minutes behind! But the clock did strike correctly - it was showing 11:30 when it struck 12! I thnk Jim was a trifle embarrased about that.

Most of this is now in my updated pages on Douglas village, the castle and the church. I have also been able to add some information to the record on the Cameronians and about Douglas Water.

As so often happens, filling in the gaps here, and led to finding some there, so I have been trying to bring everything together since my visit, but still have some way to go. This morning's diversion was adding crests to the Douglas Archives.

[Bernadine Douglass]

thank you sir

[William Douglas]

I would think that Jim Fleming's booklet, 'The Ancient Church of St Bride', is on sale in the Museum - http://douglasheritagemuseum.co.uk/ It contains details of the tombs, windows, etc.

[Bernadine Douglass]

Is there a way to get a copy of that book?  Does he sell it privately, I have not been able to find it. 

[William Douglas]

Castlemains is one of the seats of the Earl of Home, the other being The Hirsel, Berwickshire.

Castlemains is a Grade B listed building. It is located, I think, close to the original Douglas castle (ie not the more recent ruined castle)

Mid 18th century. 2-storey and attic 3-bay coursed rubble house, with ashlar dressings, basement to rear, and various additions, boldly advanced square-plan 2-storey, 2-bay flanking wings added before 1824; wings added at north east and north west in early 20th century both stugged ashlar with polished dressings. South east elevation: ground floor infilled between wings, faced with stugged ashlar, and flat roofed; central pilastered doorpiece with scrolled pediment and side lights. Eaves course, cornice and blocking course. 
Original 1st floor windows with margins and cill course, the latter continued along flanking wings. 2 large box dormers and end stacks. 2-bay wings have single windows at ground floor. 2-storey, 4-bay wing at north east has continuous band course over ground floor. North west elevation; house has band course over basement, cill course to ground and 1st floors continued along flanking wings; these wings have single windows centrally placed at each floor, those in ground floor in recessed round-headed panels. Late 19th century 2-storey over basement wing projects by 5-bays north west from centre of original house, cill course to ground and 1st floors. Sash windows throughout, most with 9 or 12-pane glazing. 
Eaves course and cornice to each elevation, and slate roofs, piended at extensions.

[William H. Douglas]

I am not familiar with this building ,do you have moreinformation on it?

 

Thanks

 

Bill Douglas

[David Alan Grierson]

You have a beautiful site. I will to look through more extensively in the near future. Thanks for your dedication.