For hundreds of years Ravenswood and Pollockshole were farms on the Cumbernauld Estate. Records show that the original Ravenswood House was an early medieval retreat for The Bishop and Clergy from Glasgow. Ravenswood farm was demolished in the 1960’s to make way for building of Our Lady’s High School. The area is now an enjoyable place to take a stroll, cycle or perhaps take your dog for a walk. There is a good surfaced path and boardwalk which will take you across the wet meadow where you can see greater butterfly, northern marsh and common spotted orchids. Look out for the impressive 6 spot burnet moths. If you are lucky you may catch a glimpse of one of the rarest butterflies the small pearl bordered fritillary. There is also a wealth of birdlife to see and hear, grasshopper warbler, sedge warbler, reed bunting and snipe. Summer or winter there is always something to appreciate in Ravenswood’s own nature reserve.
A document from 1684 tells us that the farm tenant of Pollockshole had to pay to the Earl of Wigton in Cumbernauld House an annual rent of 101 Scots pounds, one veal calf, two furlots of barley, and twelve hens. Pollockshole continued as a working farm up to 1964 when the lands were purchased by the Cumbernauld Development Corporation. Much of the farmland was spread with subsoil from the building of Condorrat and nearby roads. Nature then took its course, and wildflowers flourished, creating the wildlife sanctuary it is today. All that remains of Pollockshole farm is the lime-tree avenue that led from the old Airdrie road.
