TOWNHEAD RESERVOIR

1
Townhead Reservoir, Tam Tain right skyline, Garrell Hill left skyline.

2
Speirs Island, Townhead Reservoir. The name of the island is relevant to the Battle of Kilsyth in 1645. It would in those days have been a valley and the island as we know it today would have been a fairly substantial mound. It is believed during the Battle of Kilsyth General Baillie's left flank broke rank as they had came under fire from somewhere in the lowland which was then the valley. They were met by a surprisingly strong advance force of Montrose's highlanders and so began the slaughter of the peoples' army. In more recent times the late 1800s, the dam was used by curlers. The part you see in the print is the west side of the dam, this was used by the Kilsyth Curling Club, while at the Shaw end of the reservoir, the village of Banton used the east side for curling as mentioned earlier, there was also a yachting club.

Masonic Temple Kilsyth St John 39

PM. John McGregor 1908-10

3
Speirs Island, Townhead Reservoir.

W Speakman VC. 1st Bn.Black Watch (Attd.)

1st Bn. King's Own Scottish Borderers 4/11/1951

4
This house at one time belonged to the railway and has been occupied by the MacFarlanes for a very long time. The rail line was just below the house on the right side of picture, mainly used by Carron Ironworks to ferry raw material. (Right and out of picture, Townhead Reservoir).

5
From the village of Banton, the rooftop of Banton Mill, Townhead
Reservoir in the background, looking west to Kilsyth.

Kilsyth Anderson Church

Minister Rev. Joseph D Caskey 1908

6
Townhead Reservoir, looking north.

7
Townhead Reservoir, early morning.

American Unknown Warrior VC.

8
Small footbridge under reconstruction on the south side of the reservoir. This construction was necessary as I believe the dam was being raised by three or four feet in order to further accommodate the Forth and Clyde canal which is at this moment in time under reconstruction. (Perhaps it is worth mentioning that many of the stones used to build the Roman Wall, were used on the original construction of the dam.)

Masonic Temple Kilsyth St John 39

9
From the Banton side looking towards Colzium and Kilsyth. This was an overflow and has been the site of many a tragedy. Young people have lost their lives swimming in this particular area which is one of the most dangerous, as there is an outlet just to the right of this bridge.

10
This was during the raising of the dam by three to four feet. Normally there are two swans in the dam and since I can remember, the swans have been called Jock and Jean but during the reconstruction of the water level it was probably at its lowest point, this attracted flocks of swans from all over as the feeding was so rich and easily accessible to the birds.

11
Banton Mill, Townhead Reservoir, Castle Hill on skyline.

12
Townhead Reservoir from the west side looking towards the village
of Banton. (Known locally as Shaw End).

13
Summers day, Townhead Reservoir.

Kilsyth Anderson Church

Minister Rev.James McDonald 1951

14
Near Townhead Farm, which lies slightly south of the reservoir.

15
Townhead Reservoir.

16
The old railway arch to the south of Townhead Reservoir. Skyline
the village of Dullatur on the opposite side of the Forth and Clyde canal.

Masonic Temple Kilsyth St John 39

PM. Peter Marshall 1913-17

17
Townhead Reservoir, swans and dog feeding.

18
Jock and Jean. The structure at the top of print was called the boathouse owned and controlled by Kilsyth Fishing Club, but unfortunately it fell to the vandals and was burned to the ground.

19
Townhead Reservoir.

20
Townhead Reservoir.

21
Townhead Reservoir, fishermen out trying their luck on the boat.

22
Winter, ice covered Townhead Reservoir, Speirs Island.

Brigadier The Right Hon Sir John

Smyth, Bt., VC., M.C.,MP Author

23
Townhead Reservoir.

Masonic Temple Kilayth St John 39

PM. James Smith (T) 1917-19

24
This particular area less the water is probably similar to what General Baillie and the Covenanters saw as they approached the ill fated Battle of Kilsyth in 1645. It was down in the area to the left that his left flank came under fire.

sa5
Townhead Reservoir, winter.

26
Speirs Island, winter's morning.

Kilsyth Library Open

April 3rd, 1935

27
Village of Banton.

28
Townhead Reservoir.

29
Townhead Reservoir.

Masonic Temple Kilsyth St John 39

PM. Alexander M Mackie 1919-20

30
Townhead Reservoir looking towards the village of Banton.

31
From the Roman Wall at Craigmarloch, looking towards the
Banton Hills and Townhead Reservoir, centre of print.