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PB the Cairn
Lochwinnoch
The purpose of the site is to help those new to the village to connect with its past and for those who have left for pastures new to remember what was left behind
Infrastructure
Infrastructure 1913
Towards the bottom of this map the outflow from the old mill (Calderpark mill) is marked. Adjacent to this on the left the weir which diverts additional water into the Calderhaugh mill lade is identified. Where the lade makes a 90 degree turn (marked "See 3 Ladies Photo") towards the Calderhaugh mill there is an overflow channel returning excess water to the Calder. After the water passes through the mill it makes it way underground towards the Castle Semple Loch. The position where it enters the Loch is marked on the bottom right hand side of the map. The first (left hand) of the two arrows indicating flow direction is where the lade emerges from underground. This section of the outflow lade runs along the boundary between the public park and the Wee Church manse.
Three Ladies at Calderhaugh Lade
The Three ladies are standing at the overflow in the Calderhaugh mill lade which takes excess water back to the Calder. Between the two ladies on the left is a gap, partially screened by a bush, between the houses in the distance. These houses are the council houses on Calder Street (which may be council houses no longer in 2024!). This is where Calder Drive will be formed. Between the two ladies on the right can be seen the Kildale houses. These are gone by 1938. Therefore this photograph was taken prior to 1938. The Council purchased land in 1936 in order to construct Calderpark Street and Drive. Depending on when construction actually started this photograph is probably earlier than 1936 but maybe not by much given the council houses on Calder Street.
Weir at Piggery
This weir was built in 1789. It diverted additional water into the Calderhaugh mill lade. This would make up losses between the Falls and this point and also to provided additional water for the larger size of the Calderhaugh mill. It is located just after the pool in the Calder known locally as the Plumb. A piggery would be established by Mr Taylor just out of shot on the right and on the left just visible behind the trees is the Big School. That dates this photograph to sometime after 1905. Remnant's of this weir were still in place when I was growing up in the village. The large stones provided a crossing point on the river.
Weir at Piggery
Photograph of the weir taken in January 2017. It is completely washed away. It was built in 1789 and when I was growing up in the village the large stones from which it was constructed were still present albeit dislodged from their proper positions. It still made an easy crossing point on the river. It survived, pretty much intact, for 186 years and in the 40 years prior to 2017 all vestiges of it have gone. All due to the effects of climate change with heavier and more frequent rainfall resulting in more powerful spates in our rivers - probably.
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Taken on 19th March 2023 from slightly further down the river bank. If you zoom in you can spot some of the stones that formed the weir.
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