This house is situated in the parish of Old Monkland and county of Lanark.
Nisbet relates, on the authority of his "most worthy friend William Hamilton of Wishaw," that the lands of Lachope were granted by King Robert II. to the laird of Muirhead for assaulting and killing a great robber, Bertram de Shotts, who infested that part of the country. He "attacked him in that valley on the east side of the Kirk of Shotts, when, after a pretty smart encounter, the Goliah Bertram was slain on the place."
The first of the family on record is Sir William Muirhead, who had a charter of his lands in 1393. These remained in the family till about the beginning of last century, when they seem gradually to have dwindled away; and finally, what remained was sold by Captain James Muirhead, who died in Ireland in 1738, and with him came to an end the main line of the Lachope family.
The representation of the Muirheads now fell to the Bredisholm branch of the family. Their ancestor was John Muirhead of Shawfutte, second son of John Muirhead of Lachope and Jane his wife, daughter of John, Lord Fleming. His son John acquired the lands of Bredisholm from the Archbishopric of Glasgow; and this was confirmed by a crown charter in 1607; (1) and since then Bredisholm has been the family residence.
On the death of John Muirhead, about the middle of last century, his sister Euphemia, wife of Archibald Grosset of Logie, carried on the line, and from her was descended, again through the female line in two instances, the late Henry Robert Du Vernet Grosset Muirhead. (2)
He died, leaving two daughters, the eldest of whom, Emily Eliza, married in 1863 Robert Dalrymple Stewart, who thereupon assumed the name of Grosset Muirhead.
Mrs. Stewart Grosset Muirhead died in 1864, leaving an only child, a daughter, Emily Gertrude Lilias. So this ancient family will once more be carried on through the female line.
Andrew Muirhead, Bishop of Glasgow, and successor of Bishop Turnbull the founder of the University of Glasgow, was a member of this family. He was noted for his learning and piety; he died 1473.
The house is pleasantly situated on the north bank of the Calder. Hamilton of Wishaw, who wrote about 1710, says "Bradisholme" is a "convenient dwelling." (3) Since his time it has been added to, and on the north end of the house the date 1765 is carved on a stone, above which are placed the armorial bearings of the family.
On the lawn in front of the house is a fine sun-dial about eight feet high. Inscribed on it is the name of Harry Robert Du Vernet Grosset Muirhead, Esq. of Bredisholm, with mottoes encircling carved work, and "It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees. Nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees." On another side, "We spend our years as a tale that is told - time passed cannot be regained."
(1) Nisbet, pp. 258, 268.
(2) Burke, &c.
(3) Description of the Sheriffdom of Lanark, p. 34.
Back to Contents