These lovely Postcards were first sent to us by Brenda Hattie-Longmire in May 2017. They were in her late mother's possession, and as she was coming to Scotland anyway for a number of reasons, she arranged to meet with us as she wanted to see exactly where they were taken.
Initially there were five postcards, but on her return to Nova Scotia, she found a sixth of Cathcart New Parish Church - which she has sent. On the back of each of the Postcards there are lovely inscriptions which provide a clue as to where they were taken.
The postcards were written by a young woman who liked her Uncle - Jack Wilkinson. They may have met while Jack was at school in Glasgow in 1932-34, but at any rate, these are clearly written during WWII, and so they must have spent time together while he was waiting to be sent to Holland, or on leave. He would have been in his early 20's.
Both she and Jack, like the rest of his family, originally came from Glasgow.
They are presented in the order of the route had one walked in from Clarkson Road, and left at the Snuff Mill Bridge and then gone to see the New Parish Church.
The White Bridge
"Here is a very beautiful picture of the bridge in the Linn Park. Does it bring back sweet memories, Jack? It certainly does to me every time I cross it."
The Water Fall in Linn Park
"It seems 'only yesterday' since we gazed at these falls. They look very pretty just now with the leaves in bloom. Perhaps some 'tomorrow' we shall see them together, I hope."
The Bandstand in Linn Park
"Ah! The bandstand. Shall we stop and listen to the band? I wish we could. The road marked X leads to the rose gardens which are very beautiful just now. I was unable to get a picture of them tonight but shall get one quite soon. The road marked X on the left leads to the house where you get teas, Ices, etc."
It is fortunate that Dr Stuart Nisbet - who provided much of the history section - also sent us some other photos - one of the Bandstand [below left], and one of the Ornamental Garden [below right] - but more recent.
Dr Nisbet also located a map of the immediate area, which he sent to us, and which shows the location of the Bandstand. See below left.
We have also found a superb photoshop by Dave Campbell of what the Bandstand might have looked like on https://www.flickr.com/photos/route9autos/ which is shown below on the right.
One has to raise the question as to whether there really was a bandstand. The evidence strongly suggests there was, and aerial views - thanks Google - indicate impressions in the land surface that there was a structure there. However, the strongest evidence is the inscription on the post card.
A recent Facebook posting reads:
My mum used to take me to the " Entertainers " in Linn Park in the early 1950's. The Pavilion was situated approximately where the winding trail takes you up the hill close to where the children's zoo used to be. That picture, I'm fairly sure is that Pavilion. It did indeed exist.
Road between the PineWood and the Golf Course
"When I look at this picture, Jack, it makes me feel very peaceful, it is so beautiful and serene looking with the trees on either side of the path. On the right is the golf course and on the left the woods, and straight on a little further is the crossroads. One road leads to Carmunock (the writing is not clear), one to Burnside and another down by the King's Park to Mount Florida."
The road was edged, and its whole appearance is one of being well maintained - no potholes - and the vegetation is best described as being under control.
Cathcart Castle
"Here is the historic Cathcart Castle. This is the one which Mary, Queen of Scots, watched the Battle of Langside from in 1568. We got that date well imprinted on out mind from schooldays as we live in the locallity.
It is not open to the public now as it is in very bad condition and is upposed to be sinking.
One can scarcely believe that the surrounding countryside was all green in 1560 but time marches on you know."
Sadly at the time Brenda visited, the Castle was overgrown and virtually inaccessible, so the photograph is not hers.
What is of interest is that Brenda's uncle Jack Wilkinson’s girlfriend, writer of the postcard, says that the castle is from where Mary, Queen of Scots, watched the Battle of Langside; NOT Court Knowe.
Beside the River Below the Castle
"The description on this one says, "Do you remember this one, Jack? Cathcart Castle is up on the right and the entrance is just around the corner. Of course you cannot see them but you will likely remember them. There are falls a little further on."
One must remember that the weir which supplied the head of water for the Snuff Mill was still in place, hence the "pond" to the left of the picture. The bank is the same, but no fence was needed as the river level would have been quite constant as there were several weirs holding large volumes of water. The destruction of the weirs would have a major adverse effect causing flooding as there was no "ponding effect" to mitigate the river flow.
New Cathcart Parish Church
"As you know Jack, this is the church I attend. It is a beautiful and so peaceful in this war-tormented world. It is a place of refuge and peace and prayer offerings to the only One who rules the world."
A better photo is needed .... 
We had to adjust the colous to make it visible - so lost the flag on top of the tower - as in this other photo taken a few minutes earlier.