Miller-Cochran Ancestry Tour Scotland

This evening I am presenting some images from today's Miller Family Genealogical Tour.We collected Steve's family group of four from the Cruise Ship at Greenock and then embarked on our tour of pre-identified places in Ayrshire and Lanarkshire which are connected with descendants of James Lindsay Miller.

Here is Millar Street at Glassford. We came across this by accident en-route to Strathaven. This is how the family name used to be spelled.



This is Strathaven Castle which sits right close to the town centre.


This is the centre of Strathaven. A prosperous little town where we had some coffee at the Tudor Tea Rooms.

Our first stop was West Dykes Farm, where we met Mrs Stewart, a very friendly and helpful lady who directed us to the nearby Burnfoot Farm.

James Stewart > farms and fisheries in East Kilbride area
West Dykes Fm, Strathaven, Lanarkshire, ML10 6RH
Here is the group at West Dykes Farm with Mrs Stewart second from right.


Curling Stone at West Dykes.


This is the remains of Burnfoot Farm where William Miller and Jean Cochrane lived when Alexander Miller II was born in 1797. It was occupied until the 1980s but is now a ruin, albeit with a family of owls nesting in a section of the building.


Some interesting flowers at Burnfoot: Turk's Cap Lily

Another aspect of Burnfoot.


View across the valley. Very green and pleasant.


This is Drumclog Church which has connections with the Covenanters movement. Nearby was fought the Battle of Drumclog.

This is the remains of Boghall Farm, where William Miller and Jean Cochrane lived with their children. William III, Jean, Mary, Andrew and Marion were born between 1801 and 1813. Location is N of Loudon Hill.
At Boghall we met a friendly farmer, Willie Jardine who showed his sheep, sheepdogs and young pups.


At lunchtime we enjoyed a picnic in sight of Loudon Hill which has many historical connections, including the sites of at least two battles. Apparently, the Romans had a fort there but it was destroyed during quarrying activities.

Meikle Byre Farm where William Miller and Jean Cochrane are known to have lived from 1820 to 1853 based on burial and census records.

Views from Meikle Byre

View of Loudon Kirk and graveyard. Millers and Parkers are believed to be buried here.


Return to cruise ship at end of tour and fond farewells.


All pictures courtesy of Simon Bassatt