Killearn House
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My mother lived at Killearn House during the war with her family (the house was owned by her aunt Alice and uncle Daniel McPhail). Does anybody remember the McPhails? Would love to hear from anyone about the old house back then.
Thanks
Samantha
From 1940 to “”47 I lived in the Finnich Toll house, my mother worked at Killearn house for a number of years ,I can still remember wandering around looking at what I now know were priceless paintings from The Kelvingrove Art Galleries & the Wallace Collection removed to the country for safety. The one on the main staircase was of a young lady with a man on each arm entitled Two Strings to Her Bow. The major part of the Wallace armoury collection was in crates in the cellars, except for two suits of 15th. century Italian Armour on either side of the staircase, their stands neatly catalogued. (to aid Goering’s collectors!!)
During the war a number of evacuees stayed at the house, one of whom was my play-mate, unfortunately I can only remember his Christian name, Gordon. An internet appeal may yield results.
I hope this has been of some use to you.
Hugh Cameron.
Just fell upon this by accident. Long stiry short. My eldest sister married Graham, who was one of the sons of Irene (and Robbie) . Graham s Grandmother was your Mums Aunt.
Apologies. I should have given a bit more detail. Irene was Alice s daughter and she married Robbie Boyle. They had two sons, Graham and Charles. Graham sadly passed away in September 2012, but his brother Charles is alive and living in Switzerland.
Hi! My mother also worked in Killearn House after the war. She often took me with her and Mr McPhail always left her wages in an envelope on the kitchen table with another envelope for me! It is one of my favourite memories. They had a daughter called Betty, but she was mentally impaired and spent a lot of time in Gartnavel hospital and Mum and visited her a few times, but it always upset my Mum because the staff always locked the doors after us. Betty was sometimes allowed home for short periods but when she got unwell again, a car would come for her and she was put in a straight jacket and returned to the hospital. The thing I remember most is that Mr McPhail had a phone system throughout the house which I could phone my Mum from another part of the house – very exciting. The other thing I remember is the walled garden where both my Dad and my oldest brother worked.
Hope you have enjoyed my meandering and that you enjoyed the house as much as we did
Killearn House was owned by Daniel McPhail, my great Uncle. The McPhail family had a foundry business. After my great Aunt died, he remarried and this second wife and his step daughters were hugely indulged and when my Uncle died they were extremely fortunate as his beneficiaries.
Gertrude McPhail was not insane as seems to be suggested by the strait jacket. She had been slightly damaged at birth during an unfortunate delivery. A trust was set up for by Uncle Dan and the funds were eventually taken by the NHS to fund her care. When she died a small amount left was issued to myself and two of my brothers and a couple of other relatives to Daniel McPhail.
What happened to Killearn House and the McPhail’s was unfortunate as the house and lands
had they been kept with the blood relations would still today a place of beauty and a place for the community to visit and enjoy.
My Granddad Robert Rhind was a gardener at Killearn House.