Frequently Asked Question
These are the questions people visiting Provan Hall most often are asking when guided round - and the answers. All provided by Steve Allan, caretaker at Provan Hall.
10 most asked questions by adults.
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10 most asked questions from kids.
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Answers to the 10 most asked questions by adults.
1. How old is the building
Answer - Provan Hall is thought to be around 500 years old. The exact date that Provan Hall was built is still a matter for argument: some architectural features seem to show it to be as old as Provands Lordship (1471) or even older?
2. Where both buildings built at the same time.
Answer - 1450. Both houses are thought to be of the same date, the southern mansion (Blochairn House) being the chosen dwelling house may even be the older of the two because it is south facing and commands the best views. Blochairn House has been substantially modified from the original structure in 1760, Tobacco Lord, Dr John Buchanan, once a ship’s surgeon, remodeled Blochairn House to resemble the plantation house on his Jamaican tobacco estate. The crow-stepped gable was built over when the dwelling house was improved and the attics built in the 1830’s and early twentieth century photographs show fewer windows than are evident today.
The northern mansion (Provan Hall) has a vaulted basement, a huge fireplace and a round staircase in one corner. Fireplaces in the upper chambers of the mansion are similar to those in Provand’s Lordship, Cathedral Square .
3. Who were the first owners?
Answer - (Glasgow Cathedral) Provan Hall and its land were called a Prebend and were given to the Cannons of Glasgow Cathedral for their upkeep.
4. How important were the people who owned Provan Hall in stature?
Answer: The lairds of Provan were also the Canons of Barlanark, one of the greatest of the thirty-two Prebendaries of Glasgow Cathedral. It was the only law prebendary, King James IV (1473/1513) had himself appointed a Prebendary of Glasgow Cathedral, and held office of Cannon of Barlanark.
Owners of Provan Hall:
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1491-1513 James IV- Prebendary
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1522 William Baillie –Prebendary, president of the college of Justice and close friend of Mary Queen of Scots who visited Provan Hall whilst in Glasgow tending her husband Lord Darnley.
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1528 Thomas Baillie- Prebendary
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1549 William Baillie- Prebendary
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1562 Thomas Baillie-Prebendary, given permanent ownership
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1570 William Baillie-Owner
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1593-1599 Elizabeth Baillie-Owner who married Robert Hamilton, his initials which can be seen above the courtyard gate.
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1599 – 1646 Francis Hamilton son of Elizabeth and Robert Hamilton – Owner.
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1646 – 1667 Sir Robert Hamilton – Owner.
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1667 – 1767 Glasgow Town Council – Owner.
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1767-1874 Dr. John Buchanan and family-owners
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1874 –1902 Elizabeth Mather-owner
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1936 –A local group of people raised funds and bought Provan Hall House in 1936, renovated the property and donated the house to the National Trust for Scotland in 1938.
5. Why is the building so small?
Answer - the building was quite large in it’s time and the most important people would have just have visited occasionally when hunting in the estate.
It is thought that there may have been a more substantial timber structure attached to Provan Hall used as general quarters for people and animals and the stone structure would be used for defense and in the harshest of winter weather or perhaps as guest accommodation. The original shape of the buildings remains an intriguing mystery which perhaps future archaeological investigations may help to unravel.
6. What was the land like then?
Answer - The land was mostly forest with large lochs, bogs and some arable surrounding scrubland.
7. How much land was there?
Answer - it was estimated that the estate was roughly around 5,000 acres.
8. How were the servants treated back then?
Answer- Most servants had a miserable existence back then; most were given just enough food to survive and no more. Their life expectancy would have been to around 30years old.
9. When was Provanhall last in private ownership?
Answer - the last private owners were the two brothers; Reston and William Mather who died in 1934 aged 78 & 80.
10. Are there any plans for the future of Provanhall?
Answer - yes, the newly formed Friends of Provan Hall group is currently made up of the local community members who are working closely with Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Building Preservation Trust and the National Trust for Scotland, the owners of Provanhall, to oversee the proposed restoration plans of the historic buildings and surroundings grounds of Auchinlea Park.
Children’s 10 most asked questions
1. Is Provanhall haunted?
Answer - Provan Hall is reputed to have 3 ghosts, two in the older house and one in the newer building.
2. Who haunts the buildings?
Answer - the newer looking building (Blochairn House) is supposed to be haunted by the last owner of Provanhall- Reston Mather. The older house (Provan Hall) is said to be haunted by a woman and a boy who were killed upstairs.
3. Have you ever seen a ghost?
Answer - I have never actually seen a ghost but I have had some very unusual and spooky experiences.
4. Who lived in Provanhall?
Answer - lots of people have lived at Provanhall over the years, such as the famous king James IV of Scotland and Sir Robert Hamilton to name a few.
5. Why did people build the house here?
Answer - the house was built here when the land was known for the best hunting and fishing grounds in Scotland, this would have provided food and a large income for the owner.
6. What was the surrounding land like back then?
Answer - The land was mostly forest with large lochs, bogs and some arable surrounding scrubland.
7. How much land was there?
Answer - It was estimated that the estate was roughly around 5,000 acres.
8. What kind of animals were hunted back then?
Answer; a large animal population lived in the area, such as wild boar, deer and pheasants, and they were all hunted.
9. Where there any battles here?
Answer; Provanhall survived through many violent times such as the civil war and reformation, so it’s more than likely that small skirmishes may have happened around Provanhall.
10. Can we see the ghosts?????????
Answer: Only at night!
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