New Kilpatrick - Economy and Geography

Economy and Geography

In 1672, the Scottish Parliament heard a petition from John Douglas of Mains to hold markets in the parish on 1 May and 21 October each year. The purpose of this was to encourage the local economy, and the bill was passed. John Douglas was a heritor of the parish and was the 11th Laird of Mains, registering his coat of arms in 1672.

The geology of the area runs East-West through the parish from Dunbarton to Maryhill and has supported various industries. Devonian Old Red Sandstone (415-360 million years old) is overlaid by the Carboniferous Limestone series (360-300 million years old); in particular, the Hurlet Limestone and Hurlet Coal of the lower limestone group are prominently developed. A yellow sandstone of quite different character from the Old Red Sandstone extends from the Clyde at intervals to Netherton and Garscube. This stone easily chiselled, but hardens on exposure, making it a useful building material. Local industry has historically included some coal-mining and lime manufacture, and an iron works at Garscube. Coal was mined at Baljaffray until 1910 and used for burning limestone (also found there) to make lime. However, the presence of significant pyrite deposits in the coal made it poor quality and unsuitable for further exploitation.

By 1911, the Encyclopædia Britannica described New Kilpatrick as a town in Dumbartonshire, 5.2 milew NW of Glasgow, with a railway station on the Milngavie branch line. Key public buildings are listed as the Schaw Convalescent Home, Buchanan Retreat (now Boclair House), house of refuge for girls, a library, and St Peter's College.