A DIRECTORY OF PLACES RELATING TO WILLIAM SYMINGTON AND THE SYMINGTON FAMILY WITH MAP REFERENCES
This list of map coordinates is included in my overview to document the location of certain significant historic sites which relate to William Symington and to the Symington family.
The map co-ordinates of these places have been ascertained from Bing satellite map images which were accessed from the National Library of Scotland website. Structures which no longer exist were identified in early Ordnance Survey maps which were overlaid by the satellite images. For each site, I have recorded the coordinates of latitude and longitude in decimal format and in sexagesimal degrees, i.e. degrees, minutes and seconds and also by the British National Grid References (the Ordnance Survey Grid system used in Great Britain, as opposed to latitude and longitude).
THE CHARLOTTE DUNDAS
THE GRANGEMOUTH SHIP BUILDING YARD OF JOHN ALLAN
In 1802 John Allan built the hull of the Charlotte Dundas in his dockyard at Grangemouth. The hull would have been sailed up the River Carron for fitting of the machinery at the Carron Ironworks. (coordinates are approximate) No longer a shipyard, currently a container storage facility.
Brit. Nat. Grid. Ref. NS 92022 82290
BNG Eastings, Northings, 292022, 682290
Latitude, Longitude: 56.02132, -3.73389
56 deg. 01' 17" N 3 deg. 44' 03" W
THE LOCK AT CARRON ISLE
The machinery of the Charlotte Dundas was fitted in the lock of the canal which connected the Carron Ironworks with the River Carron. The canal has been filled and now lies under a road, Beaumont Drive. The site of the lock lies under the carpark in front of a nursing home which backs on to the River Carron.
Brit Nat Grid Ref: NS 88892 82690
BNG Eastings, Northings: 288892, 682690
Latitude, Longitude: 56.02410, -3.78424
56 deg. 01' 28" N 3 deg. 47' 04" W
CARRON IRONWORKS
The engine and machinery of the Charlotte Dundas were made by Carron Company, under the direction of William Symington. The iron works have been demolished. Only the entrance remains, a local landmark in Stenhouse Road.
Brit Nat Grid Ref: NS 88208 82522
BNG Eastings, Northings: 288208, 682522
Latitude, Longitude: 56.02252, -3.79515
56 deg. 01' 22" N 3 deg. 47' 43" W
LOCK NUMBER TWENTY OF THE FORTH AND CLYDE CANAL
In March 1803 the Charlotte Dundas set out on its seminal voyage of nearly twenty miles on the Forth and Clyde canal, from Lock 20, known as Wyndford lock, to Port Dundas in Glasgow.
Brit Nat Grid Ref: NS 77446 78757
BNG Eastings, Northings: 277446, 678757
Latitude, Longitude: 55.98617, -3.96599
55 deg. 59' 11 N 3 deg. 57' 58" W
LOCK NUMBER SIXTEEN OF THE FORTH AND CLYDE CANAL
Lock Sixteen of the Forth and Clyde canal is situated at Camelon, a village to the west of Falkirk. Robert Fulton closely examined the machinery of the Charlotte Dundas when she was moored at Lock Sixteen. He was taken on a demonstration voyage.
Brit Nat Grid Ref: NS 86824 80006
BNG Eastings, Northings: 286824, 680006
Latitude, Longitude: 55.99961, -3.81627
55 deg. 59' 50" N3 deg. 48' 59" W
THE WRECK OF THE CHARLOTTE DUNDAS
The Charlotte was allowed to disintegrate in the Forth and Clyde canal. The wreck of the hull was abandoned on the south side of the canal, between locks 9 and 10.
Brit Nat Grid Ref: NS 87757 80400
BNG Eastings, Northings: 287757, 680400
Latitude, Longitude: 56.003347, -3.801483
56 deg. 00' 12" N 3 deg. 48' 05" W
OTHER RELEVANT SITES IN FALKIRK AND NEIGHBOURING DISTRICTS
KINNAIRD ESTATE, BACK O' DYKE
From 1794 to 1802, William Symington lived on the Kinnaird Estate of James Bruce, the Abyssinian explorer. The farmstead at Back O' Dyke, which is still in existence and known as Bensfield farm, is situated less than one kilometre south of Kinnaird House and 500 metres to the west of Carronhall house, with the Carron company lock where the Charlotte Dundas was fitted out 1.3 kilometres to the SSW.
Brit Nat Grid Ref: NS 88634 84001
BNG Eastings, Northings: 288634, 684001
Latitude, Longitude: 56.035901, -3.788926
56 deg. 02' 9" N 3 deg. 47' 20" W
THE HOUSE OF JAMES BRUCE AT KINNAIRD
Brit Nat Grid Ref: NS 88502 84879
BNG Eastings, Northings: 288502, 684879
Latitude, Longitude: 56.04377, -3.79139
56 deg. 02' 38" N 3 deg. 47' 30" W
MONUMENT TO JAMES BRUCE AT LARBERT
A cast iron monument to James Bruce now stands in the car park of the Larbert Parish Church.
Brit Nat Grid Ref: NS 85588 82171
BNG Eastings, Northings: 285588, 682171
Latitude, Longitude: 56.01875, -3.83700
56 deg. 01' 08" N 3 deg. 50' 14" W
KINNAIRD ENGINE FOR JAMES BRUCE (approximate site)
Brit Nat Grid Ref: NS 88899 84553
BNG Eastings, Northings: 288899, 684553
Latitude, Longitude: 56.040921, -3.784911
56 deg. 2' 27" N 3 deg. 47' 56" W
KERSE HOUSE
The home near Grangemouth of Thomas, Lord Dundas, who engaged William Symington to build a steam powered tug for the Forth and Clyde canal. Now demolished.
Brit Nat Grid Ref: NS 91536 81665
BNG Eastings, Northings: 291536, 681665
Latitude, Longitude: 56.01560, -3.74144
56 deg. 00' 57" N 3 deg. 44' 30 W
PARKHOUSE, FALKIRK
From 1804 to 1806, William lived at Falkirk in Parkhouse, a substantial residence near Lock 7 of the Forth and Clyde canal.
Brit Nat Grid Ref: NS 88216 80574
BNG Eastings, Northings: 28821, 680574
Latitude, Longitude: 56.005035, -3.794532
56 deg. 00' 19" N 3 deg. 47' 40" W
WESTQUARTER HOUSE
William Symington lived at Westquarter from 1806 to 1807. His son John died there in 1807. From 1804 to 1807 he leased the nearby Callendar colliery with James Miller. The Westquarter dovecot, dated 1647, is the only building to survive. The following coordinates are for the dovecot. Westquarter House was 1.5 km ESE of Callendar House.
Brit Nat Grid Ref: NS 91329 78718
BNG Eastings, Northings: 291329, 678718
Latitude, Longitude: 55.98908, -3.74356
55 deg. 59' 21" N 3 deg. 44' 37" W
CALLENDAR HOUSE
The home of William Forbes of Callendar.
Brit Nat Grid Ref: NS 89865 79353
BNG Eastings, Northings: 289865 679353
Latitude, Longitude: 55.99444 -3.76727
55 deg. 59' 40" N 3 deg. 46' 03" W
CALLENDAR COLLIERY
From 1804 to 1807 William Symington leased the colliery from William Forbes of Callendar.
Brit Nat Grid Ref: NS 88743 77828
BNG Eastings, Northings: 288743, 677828
Latitude, Longitude: 55.980495, -3.784616
55 deg. 58' 50" N 3 deg. 47' 5" W
OLD POLMONT CHURCH
John, the eldest son of William Symington and Elizabeth Benson is buried here. His burial site is unknown and unmarked.
Brit Nat Grid Ref: NS 93669 79307
BNG Eastings, Northings: 293669, 679307
Latitude, Longitude: 55.99490, -3. 70630
55 deg. 59' 42" N 3 deg. 42' 23" W
SITES AT LEADHILLS AND WANLOCKHEAD
SYMINGTON MEMORIAL AT THE BAY MINE AT WANLOCKHEAD
William designed the pumping engine which was erected on the Bay mine in 1790. The footings for his original engine are still in place. The coordinates below relate to the stone pillar next to the engine site which is marked by a plaque in memory of William Symington.
Brit Nat Grid Ref: NS 86765 13708
BNG Eastings, Northings: 286765, 613708
Latitude, Longitude: 55.40419 -3.78979
55 deg. 24' 16" N 3 deg. 47' 24" W
THE SITE OF THE HUMBY MINE ENGINE AT LEADHILLS
William Symington designed the engine for the Humby mine in Leadhills which dated from 1792. No trace remains of the engine house or boiler house. This reference is an approximate estimate.
Brit Nat Grid Ref: NS 88072 15907
BNG Eastings, Northings: 288072, 615907
Latitude, Longitude: 55.424239, -3.770039
55 deg. 25' 28" N 3 deg. 46' 13" W
THE SYMINGTON MONUMENT AT LEADHILLS
From below the cemetery, the obelisk in memory of William Symington in 1891 stands proudly, overlooking the village of Leadhills.
Brit Nat Grid Ref: NS 88676 15328
BNG Eastings, Northings: 288676, 615328
Latitude, Longitude: 55.41917, -3.76075
55 deg. 25' 10" N 3 deg. 45' 39" W
MANSION HOUSE AT LEADHILLS
Mansion House was built in the 1730's as the residence and offices of James Stirling, the manager of the Scots Mines Company. The building remains largely intact.
Brit Nat Grid Ref: NS 88616 14807
BNG Eastings, Northings: 288616, 614807
Latitude, Longitude: 55.41448, -3.76102
55 deg. 24' 53" N 3 deg. 45' 40" W
SITE OF THE ORIGINAL CHURCH AND MANSE AT LEADHILLS
The assembly hall for the Established Church of Scotland with its attached manse were built in the late 18th Century. The building fell into disrepair and was demolished in 1938, leaving a vacant allotment. There is now a medical clinic next to the site of the demolished building.
Brit Nat Grid Ref: NS 88581 15137
BNG Eastings, Northings: 288581, 615137
Latitude, Longitude: 55.41744, -3.7617
55 deg. 25' 03" N 3 deg. 45' 43" W
DALSWINTON
The home of Patrick Miller and the site of his steam boat trial in 1788.
Brit Nat Grid Ref: NX 94346 84094
BNG Eastings, Northings: 294346 584094
Latitude, Longitude: 55.13989, -3.65900
55 deg. 08' 24" N 3 deg. 39' 33" E
WILLIAM SYMINGTON'S BURIAL SITE
CITY OF LONDON CEMETERY
William Symington was buried in the churchyard of St. Botolph's, Aldgate, but in 1892 his remains and the remains of many others were transferred to the City of London Cemetery. Although the gravesite is unmarked, cemetery records reveal the exact position of the site, which can be found using the coordinates below.
Brit Nat Grid Ref: TQ 42168 86147
BNG Eastings, Northings: 542168, 186147
Latitude, Longitude: 51.556296, 0.049331
51 deg. 33' 23' N 0 deg. 2' 58" E
IMPORTANT SITES IN AND NEAR THE VILLAGE OF DOUGLAS WHICH RELATE TO THE ORIGINS OF THE SYMINGTON FAMILY
ST. BRIDE'S CHURCH IN DOUGLAS
Thomas Dickson, the progenitor of the Symington family, was granted a barony by Robert the Bruce after assisting James Douglas in his rout of the English in the Kirk of St. Bride at Douglas.
Brit Nat Grid Ref: NS 83590 30958
BNG Eastings, Northings: 283590, 630958
Latitude, Longitude: 55.55836, -3.84713
55 deg. 33' 31" N 3 deg. 50' 50" W
HAZLESIDE
The barn in which Thomas Dickson harboured Sir James Douglas early in the 14th Century is still to be found within the outbuildings at Hazleside farm. Hazleside lies 1¾ miles SW of the village of Douglas.
Brit Nat Grid Ref: NS 81491 28804
BNG Eastings, Northings: 289491, 628804
Latitude, Longitude: 55.53851, -3.87947
55 deg. 32' 19" N 3 deg. 52' 47" W
MONKSHEAD FARM
Situated to the west of Hazleside, Monkshead is an ancient stronghold of the Symington family. William Symington probably descends from that line. In the 19th Century, Monkshead farm was inhabited by descendants of William Symington and Grizzy Weir. The burying place of the Symingtons of Monkshead is marked by a flatstone in St. Brides churchyard in Douglas. John Symington, a brother of Rev. James Symington of Leadhills, was the last Symington incumbent at Monkshead farm. The farmhouse and outbuildings from the time of John Symington are still standing but in poor repair. By direct measure, the farmhouse is 2.9 miles WNW of Hazleside and 4 miles SSW of Douglas.
Brit Nat Grid Ref: NS 77018 300617709 30058
BNG Eastings, Northings: 277018, 630061
Latitude, Longitude: 54.54870, -3.95086
55 deg. 32' 56" N 3 deg. 57' 04 " W
MUIRKIRK PARISH CHURCH
Rev. John Symington, the father of Rev. James Symington of Leadhills was minister of this church and is buried in this churchyard.
Brit Nat Grid Ref: NS 70047 27732
BNG Eastings, Northings: 270047, 627732
Latitude, Longitude: 55.52598, -4.06019
55 deg. 31' 34" n 4 deg. 3' 37" W
SANQUHAR
BLAWEARIE
In 1841, James Symington, the first child of William Symington, was living at Blawearie in Sanquhar. Blawearie then comprised separate cottages which have since been amalgamated into one. Blawearie now overlooks the Sanquhar railway station.
Brit Nat Grid Ref: NS 78165 10248
BNG Eastings, Northings: 278165, 610248
Latitude, Longitude: 55.371006, -3.923401
55 deg. 22' 16" N 3 deg. 55' 27" W
CASTLE MAINS
In 1851, William Symington 1824-1890, the eldest son of James 1788-1862 was living at castle farm, in the grounds of Sanquhar castle, where his father in law James Dalziel was a tenant farmer.
Brit Nat Grid Ref: NS 78644 09230
BNG Eastings, Northings: 278644, 609230
Latitude, Longitude: 55.362028, -3.916012
55 deg. 21' 44" N 3 deg. 54' 58" W
CHURCHYARD OF ST. BRIDE'S CHURCH AT SANQUHAR
James Symington 1788-1862 is buried in the churchyard of St. Bride's parish church without a headstone. The grave site (number 504), which has no memorial, lies about ten metres out from the western wall of the church.
Brit Nat Grid Ref: NS 77904 10163
BNG Eastings, Northings: 277904, 610163
Latitude, Longitude: 53.37023, -3.92809
55 deg. 22' 13" N 3 deg. 55' 42" W
A GUIDE TO FINDING THESE SITES
Access the National Library of Scotland website: maps.nls.uk.
Select the section "explore georeferenced maps" in which maps are overlaid on a backdrop of a satellite image.
Select the Bing satellite image as the underlying satellite map.
Select an appropriate map series. For most areas, the OS 25-inch series for 1892-1914 is suitable.
Zoom in on that map and click on the relevant village or region, then locate the exact site using the pointer to navigate to the British National Grid Reference from the list above.
To the lower left of the web page is a sliding device which enables you to move from map to satellite format.