This virtual guide was constructed in 1999 for readers of 'Now You Know' newspaper, which - at that time - was being published in Newmains. The information for this site was extracted from an old handbook of Allanton House, advertising it as NEWMAINS RETREAT FOR LADIES, the photos, unless otherwise stated, were taken by the late Charles Reid.

Photos by Susan King - These structures, to my knowledge, still remain at Brucefield, in Allanton. I spent my teenage years here, moving from Bonkle in 1975. I stayed at Brucefield until 1985, before returning to Bonkle and, later, Newmains.The current (1999) landowner of the above will NOT tolerate visitors of any description and has made numerous threats towards us in an attempt to stop us publishing the photographs. The bridge photo was taken from the side of the fountain looking towards Allanton. As children, this is where we used to race on horseback. The old pathway used to go all the way through Woodypoint (just behind where shot was taken) and arrive at Bonkle.

(Photo by Susan King) This is all that remains of the original Edinburgh Road. It would have been this road that the troops marched en route to the Battle of Bannockburn. Along here the Covenanter also marched. Now, it is part of farmland.

Over the coming months, these pages will be updated to bring you more about the history of Allanton along with the story of the Battle of Morningside and the tale of the unknown soldier whose body was discovered in nearby Greenhead Moss.

Greenhead Moss has just been turned over to a joint committee for redevelopment and upgrading into a nature park for the people of Lanarkshire. More on that soon.

Not much remains of the old Allanton Estate where the Steuart Family once lived. This is the mansion house visited

by Oliver Cromwell. It later became a 'Ladies Retreat' then was transferred to the councils when it became temporary accommodation for the homeless families of the area. It soon fell into such a state of disrepair that it was left to rot. Everything was stripped from it. Locals even have slates from the old roof on their homes. Now, only some rubble and part of the walled garden survives. Parts of the walled garden can still be seen intact, part of the loch still remains, the connecting bridges remain and the old fountain can still be seen in Allanton Woods. The land was recently sold, with the new owners applying to build four smaller residences and refurbish part of the grounds. To date, the local authorities have refused all applications, allegedly denying the existence of this once fabulous mansion!

During the 1970's we were still able to fish, sail and skate on this loch. The bridge still exists but much of the loch has been drained and a new house build. It is fully closed off to the public. Woodypoint loch used to freeze so solid that we could actually walk the horses over to the island! Mind you, we tried it only once - before the adults cottoned on and banned what we now, as adults, consider to have been utter foolishness. It was funny at the time though! Read some 'Childhood Memories' here.

The nearest train station to the Ladies' Retreat was HARTWOOD (Caledonian Railway).
Resident Superintendant:
Mrs. George R. Wilson
Visiting Physicians:
Chalmers Watson, M.D., F.R.C.P.E., Edinburgh
Dr. Little, Mossview, Newmains
TERMS: 3 Guineas per week
"The Retreat is suitable for the reception of ladies who suffer from the alcoholic habit or other perversions, Neurasthenia, Hysteria or other such disorders. No patients under certificates of insanity can be admitted. Rational methods of treatment are pursued, the use of secret remedies is frankly discouraged, and everything is done under medical advice to build up the bodily and nervous strength of patients, in order that the functions of control may be restored."

Please feel free to have a wonder around our ever-expanding website and sign our guest book whilst there. Thank you and we hope you enjoy the rest of the site. You can even play a game of CYB£RDO$H, where you could win £100