This page is for "Habbies" to download pictures of the village. It is purely for those who wish to have a "copy" of their favourite village picture for posterity, not for resale. If anyone has any interesting pictures they wish to share please email me.

Also at the very bottom of the page is my new video page, hope you like to remember..

If any of the pictures infringe copyrights please do not hesitate to contact me and I will remove them.
Right click on the thumbnails (save link target as) to download the larger pictures.

  1. The Village    Kilbarchan of Yesteryear.
  2. The Trams    The Trams and Kilbarchan.
  3. The Station    Kilbarchan Railway Station.
  4. Peoples uploads    Photos uploaded from Habbies.

Kilbarchan of Yesteryear.

These are pictures of the village from yesteryear. Kilbarchan is now in a conservation area so little can be changed without the permission of the various planning departments.

A map of Kilbarchan Parish
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A photograph of the "top end" of Kilbarchan (the cameraman having his back to the Weavers Cottage)
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This is another picture of the Cross from the 1900's. The woman with the long apron on is standing at the entrance of the Masonic Arms, this was owned by the Masonic Lodge which used the two top levels for their business.
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The Clydesdale Bank (on the left), in Ewing Street 1910 . It is thought the owner or builder of the first house was called Ewing, hence the name of the street.
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The Spoot Well is near the shops in High Barholm, the water comes from an old coal pit, also known as the Spout Head Well.
"Spout" is the Scot's word for a natural underground stream.
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This view is looking down to the shops at High Barholm. The building on the left with the two lamp posts was the Liberal Club, which became the library (unfortunately now closed).
On the right is Kilbarchan Baptist Church, which could seat 400. This church was only in existence for 12 years and was closed on 6th February 1916 due to declining membership, after this it was used as a Congregational Church till the late 1950's when it was demolished.
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James Adams, station master at Kilbarchan, will be relieved that the village's old fire engine is no longer their main piece of equipment on March 10th 1962.
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The Trams and Kilbarchan.

Work on the Kilbarchan tram line started on May 1906 with several squads working at different points, and on the 4th July 1906 the line was officially opened by Colonel Yorke.

It was now convenient for the working class to travel cheaply (1d being the cost). Travel for pleasure was a novelty and was soon put to good use - many visitors to Kilbarchan had never been there before, and now did for enjoyment. On a warm summer's night patrons enjoyed the breeze, and the Trust public house at the end of the terminus became a popular spot to "refresh oneself".

This is a tramcar at High Barholm which is enroute for Renfrew Ferry.
The shops on the right are the Kilbarchan Co-operative Society, which consisted of a butcher's, a drapery and a dairy. In 1929 it cost 5p to become a member of it.
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Scene at the original Kilbarchan terminus with, the "Trust Inn".
Possibly a Sunday with the look of the "best" clothes being worn,
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A tram commences it's journey from the old terminus at Low Barholm
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Top covered car (known affectionately as a double decker) heading along Burnside Terrace to the terminus at The Trust Inn
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Mill workers houses at Easwaldbank, with a "car" approaching the passing loop.
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Top covered car 52 at Over-Johnstone Bridge between Johnstone and the "bottom end" of Kilbarchan.
Unfortunately the photographer couldn't have noticed the pole right in front of him!
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Kilbarchan Railway Station.

Before Kilbarchan station was built, villagers who wished to travel by train had to go to Milliken Park to Johnstone Station, they now have to do the same again.


The station was opened on 1st June 1905. The company which operated this line was the Glasgow and South-Western Railway, which became part of the London Midland and Scottish Railways in 1923.

In June 1966 British Rail withdrew all passenger services from the station, the only reminder of this service is the entrance to cycle track number 7. There are rumours that the local transport authority is looking at the viability of opening up the line again to relieve the congestion of traffic on the local roads.

 

A train pulling into Kilbarchan station in 1906
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The Habbie uploads.

This is a new part that I have decided to include, photos sent from various "Habbies" throughout the world. If anyone recognises any sender and wishes to get in contact with them, just let me know and if the other person is willing I will forward on their respective email addresses...

 

These Pictures were sent from Stuart McConnell (all the way from Australia)... he wishes to know does anyone recognise any of the weavers...

Rosey; a popular character at one of the first Lilias Days
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One of the looms being used by a Kilbarchan weaver
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The same loom it looks like being used by another "younger" weaver.
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Kilbarchan Video Gallery.

I browsed and managed to come up with a few "interesting" videos about Kilbarchan on youtube and mostly from a person called "BLUELASERLITE"; whoever you are thanks for the memories! ,
To have a wee look click on the links below, do you remember something or someone in them?  

Weavers in Kilbarchan 1926 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TDftulY8Ag

Kilbarchan vintage cars : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkg0XaD3pZ8

Lilias day Trucks : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hh3EXtdvZk

Lilias day classic fire engines : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lic8m2qkBDY

Lilias day 1968 "Rosey" : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8mHo0Fcm9s

Lilias day 1969 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBzRrcVY57Y

Lilias day 1970 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVyCChWdhYM

Lilias day 2008 Habbie Simpson : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErkfCt_O06Y

 

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Back to main Kilbarchan Page


If you have any comments or interested in any of the above contact me at:
Kilbarchan@johnbutler.org


Last update Jun 2009

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