Bruce's Stables

Image: © Lairich Rig Taken: 29 Dec 2008

These buildings are called Bruce's Stables, and are named after King Robert I (Robert the Bruce), in whose honour a commemorative flagstaff stands nearby (Image). Robert the Bruce has no real connection with these buildings, which date from a much later period; according to the book "North Clyde Estuary - An Illustrated Architectural Guide" (Frank Arneil Walker with Fiona Sinclair), they date from the late-eighteenth century, and were designed by Charles Ross for Easter Hole, which was later known as Braehead Farm(*). As the book also mentions, there used to be three cottages here; only two of them remain. [(*) See also Image] The same architect, Charles Ross of Greenlaw (near Paisley), also designed the so-called Girnin' Gates (now demolished) which stood at the southern entrance of Garscadden House in Drumchapel. Although apparently self-taught, Ross was, as well as an architect, an amateur archaeologist and nurseryman (he established a nursery at Greenlaw, and the estate plans which he drew up often contained suggestions for agricultural improvement); he was also a cartographer and land surveyor who made significant contributions to the mapping of Renfrewshire and other parts of Scotland in the second half of the eighteenth century. His map of the county of Renfrew (1754) was one of the earliest separately-published county maps of Scotland.

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