Jim Hamilton's Pictures

Alex Jess kindly introduced me to the Jim Hamilton in the middle of October 2007 and within a week I realised I was dealing with a very knowledgeable man, who had a story to tell and pictures to back it. Jim was a bit wary at first and rightly so, as he had lent many pictures out and never got them back but I assured the wee fellow that his pictures would never leave his site, and armed with laptop and scanner I arrived at The Toll House which is sometimes known as the Auld Mill Cottage.

The house was built in 1694 and was originally the Toll House, used to collect money for the use of the roads so that improvements could be made and provide profits for the companies building the new roads. In 1735 the Old Mill was built and the house became associated over the years with the Mill. Jim’s family, the Robertsons first moved in during the 1800’s and the house has remained in the family ever since. Jim’s knowledge of the Old Mill is immense and he also provided much needed knowledge of the buildings immediately around the area. I find it sad to learn that Jim’s family offered the Old Mill to the National Trust amongst others but could find no takers and the council took the decision to demolish it, despite it being in excellent condition.

I cannot thank Jim and his wife Linda enough for their hospitality and there was a mention of more gems to come. Watch this space!

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A postcard view of the Afton	I have crossed the Afton often here in the past	The Afton Road - note the two men resting on the wall	Taken when the Arthur Memorial Church was in prestine condition	A postcard view of the Auld Kirk

The Bank area showing The Bank Church, School House on the right and the white cottage in the distance was the original Post Office. The man sitting on the summer seat is outside the Glen Inn which was old houses. Picture is from around 1910-1920	Jock Robertson or Jock the Bean as he was known and his father behind him. The Robersons ran the Old Mill for many years. The bike is an old AJS	Taken on the Afton Bridge showing thatched roof cottages. The larger house once was the home of a Mr. Watson a school teacher and beyond that was the home of the Findlay family. Across the road was the entrance to Greenhead Rows, now Mason Avenue. Picture taken around 1900	Afton Bridgend with the house known as Polmarlach on the right. The building at the far right stands on what was later to become a BP petrol station, and possibly was where 'Banties' where bred. If you can identify the building please get in touch.	The Dalhanna Brig up the Afton

Taken late 60's or early 70's showing the Crown O E (meant to be hotel of course). How many of you spotted the old clock on the Co-Op wall, it wasnt quite digital but wasnt anologue either.	The Castle 1904 which appears to show a wall around St. Blane's	Taken between 1896 and 1911. This is a well known picture where it is often stated that the shop on the right is Trotters but in fact at this time was Anderson and Gold's Drapers and John Lee's Shoemakers. Trotters did not enter the building till 1911	Fantastic picture of the Post Office on the left, the entrance down to the slaughter house, McFarlane's Butchers and across on the right, Youngs building including the Castle Hotel, Youngs the solicitors, Logans Sweet Shop, Mick Clarks shoemakers and Sanny Gibson's fruit shop. Check the old style horse drawn taxis which would have been used to take people to the Railway station from the hotel etc.	Taken in 1940 shows Tweedies garage, Trotters, John Lees shoemakers, the taller Henderson's building and the lum of the gasworks. What is the building behind hendersons and the white building to the rear of Trotters?

St. Blanes and the Co-Op on the left which has now taken over the houses before the Crown and on the right is the Old Police Station and the Chemist which was Logie Wilson's which also had a stables behind it. The wall beyond had a play park which is now the site of the Community Centre.	The thing that strikes me in this picture is what I think was Sturrock's appears to be boarded up. Now not knowing when Sturrock took over the shop, I am pressuming that the shop lay empty before he took it over but of course you may know different?	Again early 1900's, the photographer has drawn a crowd, probably because of the time taken to set up the shot and the rarity of cameras. Gas lights are the order of the day.	Connel Burn Brig on the right followed by a barbers shop. The next building must have been knocked down to make way for the Smithfield building. On the left is the Gatehouse just before the level crossing.	Taken from the Connel Burn Brig. The cottage on the right was replaced by Murray's shop, now converted to flats. There was once a picture house beyond the house on the left.

A very old postcard of Craigdarroch farm at the bottom of Blackcraig	New houses at the time but boy were they ugly! This is Dalhanna Drive and Greenhead Road. Many will remember the prefabs with fondness	Jim believes this to be Polshill Farm many moons ago. The man appears to have a shotgun and a black labrador	Taken from Lime Road looking over to Dalhanna Drive not long after the houses were built. The prefabs on the right have all made way for modern bungalows and in the front right there appears be someones doo'cot ?	Another postcard view of Glenafton

Jock Robertson (Jock the Bean) and Jim Hamilton's son taken behind the Toll House	The dam which provided water for the Old Mill	Taken just above the Burns Cairn on the Afton	The Toll House or Old Mill Cottage depending on your memory. Jock the Bean on the right then Louis, their father and Betty all members of the Robertson family	Inside the Old Mill. What a shame this grand old building has been demolished. Standing since 1735 and demolished in the 70's despite in being in perfect condition. Scandalous!!!

Another fine view from inside the Old Mill	Looking across the Nith with the Co-Op and Arthur Memorial Church on the right and Templeton's building and the Gasworks lum of the left	Another view of the Nith Brig and way before the existance of Loch Park which did not appear until 1960. The football was a former dump used by council lorries	The Nith Brig and Afton Hotel	Coloured version of the picture of Anderson and Gold's building on the right later to become Trotters

View of the Old Mill around 1970	Mr. Robertson at Polshill	Front view of the mill from the Toll	Rear of the Old Mill. You can see the water on the left after it has worked the wheel. on the right was the dust house with the bricks missing and in front of that was the toilet. The bushes were gooseberry	Same view as previous picture but many years later. A tree appears and a garage has been built not to mention Electric street lighting

Taken in the 60's and the Old Mill is retired but in immaculate condition. Can you spot the changes to the Toon School?	Taken at Polshill farm but no names as yet	Pathhead turn of the century. Not much remains of the houses on the right	Again a crowd gathers with the coming of a photographer. The Cross Keys is on the left, the Bank on the right and the building in the centre is no longer there. The wee white cottage behind it was once a chippy.	Another fine picture of Pathhead

The Afton Buildings and New Cumnock Railway Station in the days when it was safe to stand on the street	Railway Station from Pathhead with the Afton Cottages and Afton Hotel on the banks of the Nith	Looking down from the reservoir before the area was landscaped shortly after completion (1937-1940). I am still searching for a picture of the area before the reservoir was built and during construction	Taken from the back of the Sanitorium we think during construction. The scar on Dalhanna Hill is still there today	The previous picture was taken to the left near the trees

The Town School. The old Police Station can be seen on the right before the Chemist	This picture we think...is WW1 soldiers, judging by the uniforms. The Postcard was found with names in the Toll House when Jim moved in with names, which I will publish later. We believe at least one is from NC but although the regiment is Scottish, we have no idea where it is taken	Nice colured picture of the School	This one is really old, possible pre 1900's. Check the burn running beneath the road carrying the water away after it had powered the wheel of the Old Mill. Also note the woman looking out the school house window	Polshill Farm we believe

This picture arrived so faded I had no idea what I was looking at. A bit of tweaking and it revealed this beauty. The Hotel has changed a fair bit with new windows added now and of course the far end has completely gone. if you count 4 windows from the right top, thats where the building now stops.