Two members of the Heritage Society had between them, three boundary stones in their safekeeping. These stones had become displaced from their original locations many years ago.
It was decided that these important relics from Rutherglen's ancient history should be displayed in a safe location where they can easily be seen by everyone.
Various locations around Rutherglen were considered before we finally decided on Overtoun Park. The stones were placed there on 4th. September 2023.
This is the Heritage Society's initial contribution to the marking of the 900th. anniversary in 2026 of Rutherglen being made a Royal Burgh.
Above, two of the boundary stones blending in nicely at their new home in a flower bed in Overtoun park.
Two of the boundary stones (pictured right) clearly date from the early/mid part of the 18th. century. We're less sure about the third one, but given that its shape is similar to the taller of the other two, it may well also be from the 18th. century.
Originally, all three stones would have been placed at locations around the ancient boundary which marked the extent of the old Royal Burgh.
Historically, boundary stones were placed by burgesses; successful men who through their labours, were recognised as having added to the wealth and prestige of the town. These three boundary stones may have been donated by colliers, weavers or other artisan workers, those being among the main occupations in the Royal Burgh at that time.
By the mid-19th, century, burgesses were more likely to have been shopkeepers, merchants, factory owners or solicitors, reflecting the development of commerce and industry in the town. Boundary stones from that later era bore the initials, or sometimes the full name of the burgess, in addition to the letter 'R' for Rutherglen and the date they were originally placed. The oldest stone known in Rutherglen bears the date 1685.
Above, members of South Lanarkshire Council's Land Services team setting the boundary stones in place.
After consultation with Elaine Devlin from the Friends of Overtoun Park and Eugenie Aroutchef of Grow 73, it was agreed that we place the three boundary stones in the flower bed near the old park superintendent's house on the north side of the park. We are very grateful to Elaine and Eugenie for their support and encouragement.
Consent was obtained from South Lanarkshire Council to place the stones in the park, and a team from Land Services did the actual heavy work of setting the stones in place. Many thanks to Ian McCaig and his colleagues for their efforts.
Above, Job done. Drew, John, Paul and Pat from SLC Land Services. after setting the stones in place. The 1757 stone can be seen in the background.
Above, the 1725 stone appears almost camouflaged in its new setting in Overtoun Park.
Two of the boundary stones are dated 1725 and 1757 and clearly bear the letter 'R'. The date on the third stone has been worn away due to weathering over the years, but we think we can just about make out its letter 'R'.
It would have been impossible to put the stones back in their original locations on the old Royalty boundary as we don't know where those locations would have been. Even if we did know where the stones were located originally, those parts of the boundary may well now be inaccessible due to industrial or housing development or other changes in the landscape over time.
Now the boundary stones can be seen and appreciated by the people of Rutherglen or anyone visiting Overtoun Park.
Above, Heritage Society members John Esslemont and Bob Kennedy getting a first view of one of the boundary stones in its new location.
Text and photographs by Carrick McDonald
© 2023 by Rutherglen Heritage Society.
Associated pages on this website:
The Jasper Brown Boundary Stones Project Click here
Rutherglen's Royalty Boundary Stones Click here
Searching for Boundary Stones in Toryglen Click here
Boundary stones survey 2022/23 Click here
Google map showing boundary stones locations Click here