This invaluable account of the estate was written of course by J.M. Scott-Maxwell of Baillieston House - who sold the lands of Easter and Wester Barrachnie - the present Garrowhill to Henry Boot & co. and it has always been assumed that he was the inspiration and driving force behind the garden suburb idea.
Recent evidence suggests he was not. The National Archives of Scotland hold the records of a company called;
'The Garrowhill Garden Suburb Ltd.'
It is described as an Industrial and Provident Society and the records run from 1893-1929.
J.M. Scott-Maxwell was only 13 years old in 1893 and therfore could not have been involved in the founding of this company. An inspection of these acrhives will be required but it looks very much as if it may have been John Maxwell (Scott-Maxwell's grand uncle and previous owner of Baillieston House) who may well have been the originator of the above company with Scott-Maxwell becoming involved - and indeed very much the driving force of the conception - in the mid 1920's as the idea became financially feasible.
Having said that, it is certain that J.M Scott-Maxwell had much input into the overall design with the builders Henry Boot and to this day permission must be sought from the Garrowhill Trust to cut down a tree, and if consent is granted a replacement must be planted, a stringent condition he laid down.
Seven streets in the suburb were named after the Maxwell and Scott-Maxwell families.
For further information on Scott Maxwell see entry in the Hall of Fame.
As further information becomes available this page will be added to.
copyright; baillieston.net © 2004
