Montgomerie Arms.
1 Montgomerie Street, East Kilbride. Telephone 01355 220833.
Montgomerie Arms.
Montgomerie Arms. 2006
The Montgomerie Arms Hotel, East Kilbride, which was bought by Mr Mitchell Haxton in 1953, is one of the original coaching inns, dating back to 1656.
The hotel was better known locally as the "Held Inns" from the arms of Earl of Eglinton on the inn sign. In front of the hotel can still be seen the "loupin stane", reminiscent of the days when farmers came to market with their wives riding pillon.
Mr Haxton added to the amenities of the old hotel by converting part of the premises to cope with the present day demands. He had laid out a cocktail bar and three lounges, in what was formerly the stable, harness-room, bothy and parlour, without detracting from its old-world atmosphere.
Mr Mitchell Haxton. 1957.
It had taken three years, almost single-handed to complete the work. Much of the original stone work had been retained by the owner, an enthusiastic craftsman, who was his own stonemason, cabinetmaker, joiner and black-smith. Other stone was brought from a local quarry.
Old carriage lamps, with electric bulbs, had been retained to provide part of the lighting, supplemented by candle-shaped lights mounted on carriage wheels attached to the ceilings in each room. The cocktail bar was of simple design, with antique furniture forming the gantry in front of the bare original masonry of the old stable.
Brickwork under the bar top- a large piece of polished bark- was in keeping with the layout and Cornish tiles had been used on the floor fronting the bar. Horse brasses were used extensively for decorations and tartan fitted carpets covered the floors. Old firearms, swords, horns, etc, were placed at intervals round the walls, together with old crockery. Tables and chairs were also in keeping with the old-world theme.
The new bar of the converted premises. 1957.
Between two lounges stands an open fireplace, reconstructed by Mr Haxton, to provide heat from either side. Behind the bar was the beer and wine cellars. Here as in the public bar, beer was pumped through imitation barrels fitted into the walls of the gantries. This work and the electrical installation was also carried out by Mr Haxton. Only the modern toilets, leading from the cocktail lounge and the plaster-work were contracted out.
The old stables, with horse-boxes, stood here; now its the new cocktail Bar. 1957.
Windows were replaced with glass bricks. In the public bar barrels were used for tables, each having a polished top. At either end was an open fireplace. The bar itself was L shaped and the roof raftered. Lantern-type lamps provided the illumination.
The hotel had four letting bedrooms and had an inn and hotel licence for a six-day week. The upper floor, Mr Haxton had converted the premises into living accommodation on a modern scale with up-to-date kitchen, lounge, bedroom and bathroom. There was ample room for extension at the rear of the building, and Mr Haxton had plans in hand for a new dining room and an extension of his cellar accommodation.
The old Bothy is now a lounge adjoining the bar. 1957.
Several tons of earth had to be removed by the owner when he reduced the floor level of the old bothy and stables to bring them to the level of the other parts of the premises.
The newly-converted premises were opened officially by Mr D Pollock Smith, J.P., D.l. of Lanarkshire in January 1957.
Left to right. James Lundie,Cavendish Bar, Ernest Pyatt, Bowhill Hotel, Fife, Mr Mitchell Haxton of the Star Bar, Eglinton Street. 1950.
Mr John Haxton senior was listed as a Spirit Salesman in 1901. He had five children, his oldest son also John, inherited the pubs when his father died. Mitchell the middle son also became a publican in Glasgow, East Kilbride and Majorca.
Thanks to Karin Newton.
In 1927 John Haxton was licensee of the Star Bar, 537 Eglinton Street, Glasgow. Ten years later he was running another pub at 30 Glassford Street in the city centre of Glasgow. In 1937 his son John was licensee for premises at 722 Pollokshaws Road now the Allison Arms bar.
John Haxton sen., was living at Brookville, Sandhills Road, Mount Vernon in 1937, while his son was living at 23 Radnor Street.
In 1947 John had moved house to 33 Tassie Street, Shawlands. His brother Mitchell lived at 65 Tassie, Street, while Mary Kemp Haxton who was licensee at 30 Glassford Street was living at Sandhills Road.
See other images of Mr Haxton. Click here. Also see the Rosshire Bar.
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