I haven’t been able to track down much information on Sandyknowes. The farm is just off the Palacerigg road a little north of Tannoch. These farmers were listed as living there –
1886 – Archibald Paton
1901-1904 – Keir George
1909 – James Dunlop
Just prior to the war, the Watt family were there for a short time but left after the government insisted that they plough the land, despite it being exceptionally stony. Here’s a note from Jane, who was a young girl on the farm at the time.
The garden was so useful to mother and us. We had Vit C aplenty.
Our bushes were gooseberries, black and red currants, and, of course, I am not sure about an apple tree. …maybe… maybe not. The ubiquitous rhubarb clumps with an upturned bucket with holes in it on top of each was a must.
We had rhubarb and ginger jam and blackcurrant jam for the Ribena (which was not in yet) drinks, plus the bread, as well as the gooseberry jam and jelly aplenty. (goosegogs)
I know we three had mumps and measles there in rotation, and mother’s jams in a cup with boiling water on top as a hot drink was the remedy, brought to me into the good room where I was sleeping in a bed settee.
It saved her having to run up and down stairs, and there was a fire on in the good room for each patient….super.
It was a rich wee back garden, but then that was for us in 1938/39/40/, and maybe 1941, so she did and could grow for us… not quite for Britain.
Happy Happy memories. And my parents were so happy there too. They would never have left if they had not been asked to plough steep stony ground. I ask you.
These men in the pinstripe suits and briefcases had no idea of land management. The grass was enough for my father, and he could buy hay for his milk cows and make good money from the milk. Have a ceilidh with Dan Reid of an evening (Tannoch), and the Paisleys of Waterside farm. Just Sublime!!.
Jane
As I was growing up it was farmed by Sandy and Chrissie Miller. My sister and I spent a night there in 1959 while my mother gave birth to another girl. My 5-year old brother came up to tell is we had another sister.