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Bredisholm

Missing/Destroyed

Glasgow - Gatty ? - Ross 507

Erected in 1840 this dial is far later than most shown on this website but it is so peculiar it needs to be shown.

It is thought that by the time of this dial all the old traditions of obelisk, lectern and facet dials were long forgotten and so the mason had to design along new lines (possibly based on nearby Polmaddie). Thomas Ross wrote:

'It may be described as a massive horizontal dial supporting an octagonal column from which there jut out two tiers of radiating wings. These wings are carved and sliced into innumerable figures and shapes, which will be partly understood by referring to the drawing (below), in which is also seen a space for a thermometer. There are dials on each corner of the flat table, three of them carved on the stone, and the fourth consisting of a metal plate. There are other contrivances on the table, some of which is it believed served the purpose of a rain-gauge, and are supposed to be connected with an opening in the base of the dial. Winding round these dials is the inscription IT IS A LIGHT THING FOR THE SHADOW TO GO DOWN TEN DEGREES; NAY, BUT LET THE SHADOW RETURN BACKWARDS TEN DEGREES.'

I had always thought the inscription a rather clever one but it was only recently that I found out (thanks to the NASS) that it is a biblical quotation - Second Kings Chapter 20.

8 And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day?

9 And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees?

10 And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.

11 And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz.

This dial has sadly disappeared. It's particularly sad because of the story behind it.... . . . . .

Thomas Ross was told the story as recounted to him by Rev. Mr McMillan. It was carved by the skilled mason Alexander Fraser who rented an orchard adjoining Bredisholm House. He built a cottage for himself where he lived alone. In managing the orchard he proved unsuccessful as he had no knowledge of horticulture. He also devoted a large amount of his time to dial-making! This was the dial he erected in his own orchard. I have always liked to think of Alexander, the skilled mason carving away at his obsession while his orchard went to ruin around him. A bit of a warning.

Alexander Fraser died about 1870 after speculatively building a tenement in Shettleston - again at a loss.

Home Summary Analysis Dials by Location Dials by Type Dials by Date Contact Links	Bredisholm Missing/Destroyed
	Glasgow - Gatty ? - Ross 507 Erected in 1840 this dial is far later than most shown on this website but it is so peculiar it needs to be shown. It is thought that by the time of this dial all the old traditions of obelisk, lectern and facet dials were long forgotten and so the mason had to design along new lines (possibly based on nearby Polmaddie). Thomas Ross wrote: 'It may be described as a massive horizontal dial supporting an octagonal column from which there jut out two tiers of radiating wings. These wings are carved and sliced into innumerable figures and shapes, which will be partly understood by referring to the drawing (below), in which is also seen a space for a thermometer. There are dials on each corner of the flat table, three of them carved on the stone, and the fourth consisting of a metal plate. There are other contrivances on the table, some of which is it believed served the purpose of a rain-gauge, and are supposed to be connected with an opening in the base of the dial. Winding round these dials is the inscription IT IS A LIGHT THING FOR THE SHADOW TO GO DOWN TEN DEGREES; NAY, BUT LET THE SHADOW RETURN BACKWARDS TEN DEGREES.' I had always thought the inscription a rather clever one but it was only recently that I found out (thanks to the NASS) that it is a biblical quotation - Second Kings Chapter 20. 8 And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day? 9 And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees? 10 And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees. 11 And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz.


	This dial has sadly disappeared. It's particularly sad because of the story behind it.... . . . . . Thomas Ross was told the story as recounted to him by Rev. Mr McMillan. It was carved by the skilled mason Alexander Fraser who rented an orchard adjoining Bredisholm House. He built a cottage for himself where he lived alone. In managing the orchard he proved unsuccessful as he had no knowledge of horticulture. He also devoted a large amount of his time to dial-making! This was the dial he erected in his own orchard. I have always liked to think of Alexander, the skilled mason carving away at his obsession while his orchard went to ruin around him. A bit of a warning. Alexander Fraser died about 1870 after speculatively building a tenement in Shettleston - again at a loss.