Description:

These impressive gates came from Lanark Gaol but no-one knows when. They were refurbished in 2008 when the present housing was constructed. Before this development, there was a “modern” dwelling built in the early 1960s but the Kirkton House of history was built as far back as the early 1600s. The area around here was called Roialdykes because King Charles 11 was reputed to have stayed here for two nights on his tour of the kingdom after his restoration.

Further Info:

Kirkton House was also, in the 1600s, the home of Major Thomas Weir, the Wizard. He became commander of the town guard of Edinburgh, a meritorious appointment and was a renowned Covenanter. Later, when he was in his seventies, he was accused of witchcraft and of having made a pact with the devil. The 17th century was a time of great superstition and fear of witchcraft and he and his sister, Grizel or Jane, were condemned to death. He was strangled and burnt to ash and she was hanged. Dr Rankin makes the case that the old man was suffering from dementia and had hallucinations but the multiple stories that you can read on the web make no mention of this! Our thanks to Carluke Parish Historical Society for providing this information.