1 Wellgatehead, Lanark. Ml11 9AA. Tel: 01555 661056.
The Corra Linn. 2008.
1 Wellgatehead, Lanark. Ml11 9AA. Tel: 01555 661056.
The Corra Linn. 2008.
Other Kirkintilloch Pubs…
Peppermint Lounge, Kilsyth Road, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow. G66 1QD. Tel: 0141 777 8421.
The Golden Pheasant, 2 Stepps Rd, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow. G66 5DH. Tel: 0141 777 6338.
Antonine, 32 Townhead, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow. G66 1NL. Tel: 0141 776 5711.
Kirky Puffer, 1-13 Townhead, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow. G66 1NG. Tel: 0141 775 4140.
Bar Bliss, 1 Cowgate, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow. G66 1HW. Tel: 0141 776 0988.
Carriages, Millersneuk Rd, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow. G66 5JD. Tel: 0141 776 3226.
Springwell Inn, Pit Rd, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow. G66 3ND. 0141 775 0570.
Drookit Dug, 101 Main St, Lennoxtown, Glasgow. G66 7DB. Tel: 01360 310531.
McGinleys, 17-21, West High St, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow. G66 1AB. Tel: 0141 775 2000.
The Redbrae, Redbrae Rd, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow. G66 2BX. Tel:0141 776 5858.
The Stables, Glasgow Bridge, Glasgow Rd, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow. G66 1RH. Tel: 0141 777 6088.
Chase Inn, 93, Merkland Drive, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow. G66 3SJ. Tel: 0141 776 6415.
Langmuir Road, Kirkintilloch.
A Pub for the family.
So many pubs these days have gimmicks. If they’re not trying to outsmart one another with entertainment then they’re vying with each other in snacks and food stakes. So it’s rather nice when you come across a new pub which claims to have no gimmicks, a pub designed for the family.
Opened just over a week ago, the Chase Inn, in Langmuir Road, Harestanes, Kirkintilloch, is a family pub where people can enjoy good conversation, says manager Mr. Tom Rigby.
Having been a dry town for so long, Kirkintilloch now has a handful of places where locals can spend a pleasant hour or so over a pint. what’s been the reactions of people living in the town?
Were they pleased to see another pub on their door-step?
The only people who actually have the Chase Inn on their door-steps are the residents of the Harestanes Estate, a mixture of private houses and council ones, and they’re not complaining.
The estate is about a mile from the town centre and according to Mr. Rigby most of the patrons so far have come from the estate. If they’re not out for an evening they can pop into the adjoining off-sales, and collect something for a cosy evening at home. An equestrian theme has been used throughout the building, hence the name, Chase Inn. There are motifs and murals showing various aspects of the horse scene, including a steeplechase and hunting scene.
There is seating at the Chase Inn for 180, so there is plenty of room for patrons to relax in comfort at a pub where the only entertainment is colour television. To ensure that “Chase Inn” will become synonymous with the description “excellent service,” Mr. Rigby has recruited a large full-time staff which at peak periods will be able assisted by many part-time helpers.
Kirkintilloch.
Mr James Crookston. 1893.
Kirkintilloch, its charter, granted by William the Lion, dates as far back as the twelfth century, while the Parish Church was erected in 1644. The centre of a rich agricultural, as well as mining district, it is a thriving town and is particularly interesting to the visitors, from the sudden contrasts it presents of elegant modern buildings placed alongside the thatched cottages hundreds of years old. Famous poets and politicians, its immediate surroundings are teeming with a halo of romance, while its sweet singers have caused its burns and braes to be known and remembered far beyond their limits with pleasure and delight.
One of the landmarks of the town was the Black Bull Inn, a thoroughly representative type of Modernised “Old-Fashioned Hostelry,” owned by Mr James Crookston. Born at the Calder Iron Works, near Coatbridge, where his father was manager of Messrs. Dixon, Ltd, Mr Crookston came to Bishopbriggs when he was ten years of age, and attended school at Old Auchinairn under Mr Waddell. He afterwards completed his education at St Rollok’s, now absorbed by the Chemical Works, the only vestige remaining being the stairs.
His first start in life was as clerk at the colliery of which his father was the manager at Bishopbriggs, where he remained for eight years; and, anxious to learn, he obtained a knowledge of colliery work in all its details. But ambitious and desirous to get on, he accepted an appointment from Messrs. Robert Addie & Sons at Inchinnan, and, while here, was made a mason, being initiated in the Prince of Wales’ Lodge, No. 426, now nearly a quarter of a century ago.
Still keeping the motto Excelsior, he accepted the position of manager of Messrs. Walter MacFarlane & Co’s warehouse in Washington Street and while in their company removed with them to the Saracen Foundry, Possil Park, Glasgow. That he remained with this well-known and highly respected firm for the long period of eleven years. An opening representing itself, he left to be cashier and take charge of the office of the Steel Company of Scotland, where he remained for several years. Receiving a tempting offer to travel for the Blochairn Sand and Fire Clay Company, he thought he would take to the road, and covered for them, with more than usual success, the English, Irish and South Wales ground. He then entered the liquor trade, and had the honour to represent, and sold whisky for the late Mr William Faulds, of Paisley, in Lanarkshire and Ayrshire. But after all money speaks, and the offer of a large increase of salary induced him to enter the services of Messrs. James Calder & Co., brewers, Alloa.
In 1889 Mr Crookston joined the staff of Messrs. A. Arrol & Co., the well-known Alloa brewers, where he was presently successfully engaged. In 1891 he became the landlord of the Black Bull Inn, Kirkintilloch, with which his family had been connected for many years. In his absence this is most efficiently managed by his good lady, son and daughter. The Inn, built for the business many years ago, was substantial, convenient, and thoroughly suited to the requirements of the trade.
Bred to the trade and married in the inn, Mrs Crookston’s experience and abilities as a hostess was second to none. Posting in all its branches is extensively carried out, and while the stud is an excellent one, the turn-outs, carriages, brakes, dog-carts were elegant and thoroughly well appointed. Mr Crookston laid a new floor in the large hall, which was popular for balls, weddings, parties and entertainments of all kinds, as well as Masonic and other social meetings. The liquor was of good quality with well ventilated cellars.
Mr Crookston was an enthusiastic volunteer, he was one of their best shots while a member of the 1st L.R.V., and all who know anything of volunteering in the West of Scotland know that there is no smarter regiment. He holds a large number of prizes. On giving up volunteering he took to bowls with a like happy result, gaining prizes on many greens, notably the Whitevale and St. Rollok’s, of which latter he held the championship in the year 1890. He was a cultivated musician and held the honorable position of secretary and treasurer and was in fact the leading spirit in the famous Taggart’s Male Voice Choir, an association which, besides doing much good to its members, assisted materially the various charities for which they performed; and while in the Saracen Co’s employ he orginised a musical association and orchestra connected with the works, both, while he remained in the employ, proving signal successes. Mr Crookston was president of the local quoiting club, a Free Gardener, a member of the Eastern Merchants, and Clydesdale Merchant’s and Tradesmen’s Societies and was treasurer of the Wine, Beer and Spirit Trade Association in 1893. A thoroughly genuine, honest man and jolly good fellow in the best sense, hardworking, industrious and strictly just in all his dealings.
32 Townhead, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow. G66 1NL. Tel: 0141 776 5711.
The Antonine. 1970.
Kirkintilloch’s first public house since the town voted ‘WET’ after almost 50 years opened in the summer of 1970. One of the Scottish & Newcastle group, the premises are named the Antonine after the Roman Wall which ran from Kirkintilloch to Crammond, near Edinburgh.
There is a Roman theme throughout the lounge and steak-house which are on separate levels. A wide menu was available at the time. Manageress was Mrs Catherine Stevenson, who had been with the company for seven years.