A ClacksNet Community Site

Do you have any memories of Tillicoultry which you would like to share with others?

please e mail stories and / or pictures and we will include them on the memory board

Looking for information about relatives or friends?

Ben Vorlich was a regular climb for scouts under Jimmy Dawson as was the annual cattle truck journey to Fincastle for the Scout Camp

Thanks to Brian Anderson for these photos

 

My great x 4 grandparents were Samuel Schaw and his wife Janet (who may also have been a Schaw).  They had 5 children:  Ann b 1791, John 1793, George 1795, Robert 1797 and William 1800 all born in Tillicoultry.  According to Robert's birth record Samuel and Janet were tenants in Eastertown and Robert was baptised in Westertown.  The youngest son, William, was baptized before the anti-burgher congregation, St Mary's. Robert, my ancestor, married Margaret Auld in 1825.  He became a tea, wine and spirit merchant and owned much property in Leith, Midlothian.  He had 5 children and left the business to his youngest son, Robert, bypassing for reasons unknown his elder son John who was left an annual legacy to be distributed bi-annually by the trustees of his will. I would like to hear from anyone who knows anything about the Schaw family Many thanks Rhiannon Boardman Abergavenny Wales

I have never been to Tillicoultry, but in the 1960’s i was very involved with the trade union movement, and I did  number of TUC postal courses which were designed to educate the trade union members. Recently I have come across the certificates from that period. I would love to hear from anyone that worked in the TUC postal course office or in any way was involved with this. Malcolm C. Fox B.Sc. (Econ)(hons.)

Duncan Sinclair prepares a Hattersley loom for weaving

My father owned the clock mill and all of the family worked there at some time or another. I was there briefly from 1969 to 1973. I can remember his determination to get the clock working when he eventually owned the mill I can remember his determination to get the clock working when he eventually owned the mill. There is a lade running to the left as viewed towards the hills. My father always wanted to restore the water wheel but unfortunately this was never done for various reasons. It would have been a stunning feature. I also have many memories of my childhood there. One in particular is as follows. My friend and I discovered an ice cooler in the woods below the ruins of Alva House. These are quite rare and I wondered if the Heritage organisations know of it. Basically it is a huge brick built dome underground. There was a passage leading to the house and servants shovelled ice into the containers for the staff to pull the ice into kitchen. The ice was kept frozen with hay. Please don't ask me the scientific reason for this.

Alan Sinclair

Duncan Sinclair in the showroom of the Clock Mill holding an innovative mohair blanket he designed. This was given an award by the design centre in London and the blanket was exhibited there for some time.

William Russell Gentleman My grandfather, William Russell Gentleman, son of Thomas Gentleman, was born at 57 Mill Street, Tillicoultry in December 1862. His father Thomas was at that time a carter. The 1881 census lists him as carter and grocer living in Crofthead. We have a badly faded old glass photograph showing two ladies who we are sure are great-grandmother Janet Gentleman and her daughter standing in the doorway of a shop with, barely decipherable, T.GENTLEMAN, above the lintel - we believe this is the building now called "Mayhill" on the corner of Crofthead and Union Street. NOTE - This is Mayhill - the window to the right of the door no longer exists In 1969 an aunt from Canada visited Tillicoultry and took a colour photograph which she indicates is the family home of Thomas where my grandfather William grew up, but she gives no address. William went on to be a draper with his own business in Coatbridge.On a visit to Tillicoultry we were unable to identify the house shown in this picture. It appears, from the background o be in the northwest of the town and the view is certainly northwards, given the background of the hills, but perhaps it has now been demolished NOTE - This house which was in Upper Mill Street has indeed been demolished and replaced with a bungalow set back off the road

William, born at 57 Mill Street,  was at 7 Crofthead when he married in 1889, and the census 2 years later shows him at 83 Ochil Street.   His wife’s father (Donald McNaughtan) was with them when he died shortly after their marriage in 1889.  His death certificate indicates he died at Institute Cottage.  William’s daughter (my aunt Nan) was born 1890 also at Institute Cottage.    We see from the town’s excellent Website that there was a Popular Institute at the top of Ochil Street, since demolished, and assume that the cottage was attached to the Institute in some way (and may even be the same building the census lists as No.83?)   We could not, of course find 83 on our visit!  Do you know of any books or information on the Institute that might help us?  We also drew a blank on an address called ‘How Dub’ (which we assume has now gone) and wonder whether this rings any bells?  If you have any information on How Dub or the Popular Institute at the top of Ochil Street please e mail and I will pass it on

Do you remember the day the Queen visited Tillicoultry ?

View photos of the Royal visit

A Royal Luncheon was held in Alloa Academy on Friday 28th June 1963 after the Queen had been in Tillicoultry

My memories of Tillicoultry are pretty vague. I was evacuated there during World War 2. I guess I was around three or four years old at the time. I can't recall how long I was there. It could have been weeks perhaps months. I was taken in by a Mrs Walsh. Pleasant memories of fishing for minnows in the Devon. Unpleasant memory of hitting my head on a cast iron rocking horse still bear the scar above my eyebrow. Tom in San Francisco

I remember when I first went to the cinema in the town hall to watch matinees and the manager was as strict as any Sgt. major in the forces.no messing around when he patrolled around. I went to the local school and played football there. I am now living in North Wales but still miss the old place.I came across your site by accident so I will continue to keep in touch Keep up the good work. William Drysdale

The Home Farm Buildings, Harviestoun Castle. Harviestoun Castle to the east of Tillicoultry was demolished in 1970	Tillicoultry Town Hall
The Town Hall was demolished for safety reasons and now all that is left is the Clock Tower - but the clock is in need of repair and at present no longer works