GARTFERRY HOUSE, situated in the eastern district of the parish of Cadder, and county of Lanark, and distant about nine miles from Glasgow, appears to have been built in the early part of the last century, most probably on the site of an older mansion. It was used as a "jointure house" by the Robertons of Bedlay. Over the principal entrance to the house are displayed, within a "lozenge," the armorial bearings of that family; and a curious reminiscence of former times exists in the legends incised on the ancient avenue gate pillars - "Subiunti Pax" greets the coming, "Exiunti Salus," the departing guest.
Some centuries ago the lands of Gartferry formed part of the extensive possessions of the Church. In cumulo they constituted "a 46s. 6d. lands of old extent," and were, until recently, held as two properties. The mansion-house portion, being two-thirds of the lands, was acquired by the Robertons before 1730, and Dr. Archibald Roberton, who succeeded his brother Thomas in it (both sons of Bedlay), changed the name to "Roberton Hall," and obtained a Crown Charter with this designation, by which it continued to be known until 1800. Dr. Archibald Roberton, of Roberton Hall, was an eminent physician, and of Jacobite proclivities. While in France he was called on to attend Prince Charles Edward Stuart, then a young man suffering from an affection of the eyes. He effected a cure, and was presented with a snuff-box, containing on its lid and set in brilliants a portrait of his royal patient. The precious metal and the diamonds have disappeared during the chances and changes of time, but the portrait is now in possession of the Bishop of Glasgow, who received it from the late Miss Gourlay of Kincraig, whose mother was a Roberton of Bedlay.
At the sale of the Roberton Estates in 1786, Gartferry, or Roberton Hall, was disposed of to James Dunlop of Garnkirk, whose trustee sold it in 1800 to Dr. David Dobbie, whose heirs disposed of it to the late Alexander Milne. The most ancient of the titles now in possession of the proprietor are a charter, dated 11th May 1588, by Walter, Lord Blantyre, feu farmer of the Barony and Lordship of Glasgow, and a precept of Clare Constat, dated 8th May 1624, by James Law, Archbishop of Glasgow.
The other third of the lands of Gartferry formed the estate of the Muirs of "Gartferry," whose ancestors acquired it in feu from the Archbishops of Glasgow. The oldest deeds in the titles of this portion of the lands is a contract of "Couching," dated 1st January 1668, between John Watson and William Muir, portioners of Gartferry, the former having "twa pairts," and the latter "a third pairt yr of." There is also a charter of confirmation of a contract of marriage, by James Paterson. Archbishop of Glasgow, dated 11th July 1683, "between John Muir, lawful son of William Muir of Gartferrie, and Barbara Muir, daughter of the deceased William Muir, portioner of Burdostan." This Gartferry continued in the possession of the Muirs until 1856, when it was sold by the trustees of John Muir to Mr. Milne, who thus united the two properties. In 1862 Mr. Milne sold the united estate to William Wilkie the present proprietor, who has built a considerable addition to the mansion-house, removed the old house of the Muirs, and extended and improved the policies and avenues.
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