A bit about Blacklands

The area now known as Blacklands was previously called the Ironworks and was the site of the Eglinton Ironworks, which at one time was the town’s biggest employer. Many other people in the area were employed in coal mining or hauling of coal and timber to the foundries. These traditional industries have gradually declined over the years. The building where the old “Ironworks Institute” stood is now known as Nethermains Community Centre. The Institute housed a small school, a library and a social centre, but importantly it also was a bath house and workers were encouraged to go there for a bath at least once a month. Later, a separate school was built for the ironworker’s children and this subsequently was called Blacklands Primary School. Sadly, it was destroyed by a fire in the early 1970s. The site where it stood is directly opposite the Ironworks Institute.  Robert Service Court, the sheltered housing complex was later built on this site.

Where the iron foundries and worker’s cottages once stood is directly behind the Nethermains Community Centre. This site is now mostly woodland leading down to the river.