Monklands Memories - Airdrie & Coatbridge areas

THE estate of Drumpellier is in the parish of Old Monkland, about eight miles from Glasgow and was purchased in 1735 by Andrew Buchanan, merchant there, He was one of the celebrated Virginia Dons, and Provost of Glasgow in 1740. He was also one of the original partners of the Ship Bank in 1750; and it was through his instrumentality that the well-known Mr. Robert Carrick was admitted a junior clerk into that monetary establishment.

Robert Carrick rose gradually to be one of the chief partners. Mr. Buchanan opened, through his grounds, Virginia Street, which he named after the then British-American province, wherein his extensive plantations were situated.

He and his three brothers, George, Neil, and Archibald, were founders of the Buchanan Society in 1725, the oldest charitable institution in Glasgow except Hutchesons' Hospital. They belonged to the Leny branch of the Clan Buchanan, in whose ancient territory Ben Lomond towers in all its grandeur.

Provost Andrew Buchanan built the oldest portion of Drumpellier House in 1736, but additions were made to it in 1840 and 1850. He died 20th December 1759. His portrait was preserved at Drumpellier. The provost left two sons, James of Drumpellier, and George of Mount Vernon.

Drumpellier was sold in 1777 to their cousin, Andrew Stirling, of the famous Glasgow firm of William Stirling & Sons. It was bought back in 1808 by David, eldest son of George Buchanan, the younger son of the Provost. The Stirlings, however, retained the superiority and title of Drumpellier.

Mr. David Buchanan took the additional surname of Carrick on succeeding to Mr. Robert Carrick, the banker.

The most recent proprietor was Colonel David Carrick Robert Carrick-Buchanan, great-great-grandson of Provost Andrew Buchanan, and the largest proprietor in the parish of Old Monkland.

Carrick Buchanan gifted the estate to the town of Coatbridge in 1919.  It has since become an excellent Country Park complete with a golf course.