top of page

About Us

We were both brought up in Lochwinnoch, Pat from 1944 and myself 1955. Pat has lived in the village for most of his life apart from a short spell in Dunlop. He is now back home and enjoys meeting people on his walks around the village, at the same time handing out cards about pbthecairn. Our family, like so many of our generation experienced first hand the industrial heritage that was once Lochwinnoch. Pat, for his sins, was the first apprentice cooper at the Cooperage in 1960.

 

I left the village in 1977 after completing a BSc in metallurgy at Strathclyde University. I was invited to undertake a PhD at the University of Birmingham which I completed in 1980. I never returned to the village. I spent 20 years in Hampshire, another 20 yrs in Perthshire and have now moved to Glasgow. My entire career was spent in the energy sector culminating as a Director of Scottish & Southern Energy.

 

This website has become a bit of an obsession for both of us. We hope you enjoy the photographs and the many articles with information which may surprise you or maybe just clarify something for you. It has been a fascinating exercise putting this site together and it will never be finished. Lochwinnoch has a rich history being linked with one of the premier estates in Scotland (in its day), with its proud industrial past, links to British aristocracy including the Duke of Norfolk and Queen Victoria and the creation of the Scottish National Party.

Remember, material is not just photographs but stories and things remembered about people, these are the things that will bring the site to life. Lets try to remember the past through real events and not just dull facts (but we also like facts!). Much like Dr Andro Crawfurd tried to do in his Cairn* of Lochwinyoch Matters which he "collectik, betwix 1827 and 1837".

*The word 'Cairn' used in this context means a collection.

 

Pat - Brian the Cairn

Pat giving a very big welcome

"I'm sure that my father would be happy to know that the photographs he took of local people are now 'out there' to view and are available for them and their relatives."

"On the site, I'd recommend the poignant account of growing up in the village in the 1920s written by Brian's dad, John Smith"

Brian taking a photograph of River Calder

"My dad and his nephew Pat did slides shows of the village during the 80's. Most of the slides were of photographic prints that locals they knew were happy for them to copy and showcase to the wider village. I was privileged to be asked to repeat this 37 years later during 2017. Now my cousin Pat and I have created this website to provide a more comprehensive collection of the material we have than could be shown during a slideshow.                     

Harvey Square in Lochwinnoch
© Please contact us if you wish anything from the site
bottom of page