The Insurance Policy

The Site of Lauchope House & Tower, near Chapelhall

Ive written lots in previous blogposts about Lauchope House and Tower, a local site I am trying to save from Development for the Community.

Its fascinating history from King James IV to Mary Queen of Scots, the Bishop of Glasgow to the legend of the Giant Bertram of Shotts and the link between ancient oak trees on site at Lauchope and the City of Glasgow Armorial Crest.

Interesting foundations at Lauchope

Sadly, the site at Lauchope along with the ancient Muirhead oaks, is threatened with imminent destruction and development.  The lands of Lauchope, established in a charter in the 14th Century, once Family Home to the Most Powerful Family in Glasgow, are set to become a warehouse.
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Deer at Lauchope

Of all the losses that will occur at Lauchope, should the Development go ahead, the removal of the oaks will have the greatest impact on  local wildlife (oak trees support more wildlife than any other native tree) Historians, Ecologists, Twitchers, Horticulturalists and Botanists, keen to investigate the trees and establish their ecological and historical importance.  ALL of the Local Community, forced to gaze onto a "Lego" Warehouse, where there was once ancient woodland, not to mention the loss of diversity of wildlife for people to connect with.

Acorns at Lauchope

Let's be honest here, the odds of  stopping any development are slim, despite the historical importance of the site, the bats which roost onsite, the historical and genetic importance of the trees and the amazing team I have helping me. There are ways around these things for Developers.  (But it won't stop us all from trying really, bloody hard.)

Its important though, that we plan for every eventuality.  Having a plan B is in no way admitting failure or defeat.  It is being organised!

Should the very worst occur, I have a small genetic insurance policy to ensure the Muirhead Oaks live on, even if the site at Lauchope doesn't..

Acorns collected from the Muirhead Oaks at Lauchope

Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns Grow

See You In Spring!

In time, if/when they germinate, I plan to offer some of the young oak trees to The Provand's Lordship, Glasgow's Oldest House which was founded by Bishop Muirhead of Lauchope in 1471.   The remainder I will plant out locally, in safe locations to ensure the Muirhead Oaks live on for future generations to enjoy!

One of the Majestic Muirhead Oaks at Lauchope

If you are interested in helping to save this site, and the ancient oaks, for future generations, please get in touch with the author, or check out" Lost Houses of the Clyde Valley"on Facebook.

Lauchope ruins of 19th Century rebuild