Hello, my name is Christopher Ladds; a local historian for the Calderwood/St Leonards District of East Kilbride.
In regads to
Janet Nee Mcdonald who died at Craigneith (Proper Spelling) in 1893;
I am rather confident that I have come across the gravestone inscription for this lady. The gravestone inscriptions of
East Kilbride Old Kirkyard were copied into a bound book, now kept in the local history section of East Kilbride Library.
Craigneith, was in fact a folly castle which was titled 'Craigneith Castle', Also sometimes spelt as Craigneath or Craignith. This folly was built on a range of lofty cliffs known as the 'Crags of Craigneith' on a concave bend of the Rotten Calder Water. On the convex side of this location is a promontory known as the 'Dee of Calder'. Upon this precipice stood Calderwood Castle. Craigneith was built by the Maxwells of Calderwood sometime between 1750 and 1845. It was a two storey, small building with a tower and battlemented parapet. Its purpose was - 1. To provide extensive views from the upper floors across Calderwood Glen (Calderglen), being an extraordinary vantage point. 2. To serve as a picturesque decorative Castle in the landscape which could be seen from many points in the surrounding area. 3. To provide
accomodation for some of Calderwood Castle's Servants.There, dwelt the old, old lady of Craigneith Castle, who would arise each morning between 4:00-5:00AM to cross the river to Calderwood Castle where she would light all 30 fires in the building. She would leave craigneith Castle, Descend the steep cliffs via serpentine paths, through thick foliage, cross the footbridge, ascend the precipice via some steep steps and finally enter Calderwood Castle.
Through tempest, rain, gales and the roaring foaming of the murky Calder she would do so every day, all year. She did this all her time there right up to the time of her death!!!
I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THE 'OLD, OLD LADY OF CRAIGNEITH CASTLE' WAS JANET, SHE WAS THE ONLY OLD LADY EVER RECORDED LIVING THERE.I have pictures of what it looked like and what it looks like now, I have even found a shoe amongst the ruins which may have even belonged to Janet.
The scenery of Old Calderwood is of the grandest romance and defies description here. The current site lies due East of Ellisland off of Alloway Road in Calderwood, East Kilbride.
I have attached a section of a map of my own creation and a view of the Crags of Craigneith.
