Craigends of the 20th Century

John Charles Cuninghame, the 17th Laird of Craigends, retires from the Renfrewshire Militia with the rank of Major, at the age of 49. Perhaps signalling a return to more domestic concerns at Craigends.

July John Charles Cuninghame marries his cousin-once-removed: Alison Cuninghame. Perhaps a late attempt to create a family and an heir to his title and fortune.

A "great political fete" is hosted by Mr and Mrs Cuninghame at Craigends House. Among those speaking is Mr Andrew Bonar Law, a future Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

World War I breaks out across Europe.

Like many other stately homes across Scotland, Craigends is requisitioned by the British Army. It is thought that Craigends House was used as a military hospital.

January John Charles Cuninghame dies at his Mayfair residence in London, at the age of 66. He leaves no heir. He is buried at Kilbarchan New Cemetery. Craigends, and much of his fortune passes to his widow, who remains at Craigends House.

Merry & Cuninghame, the iron and coal mining firm, which had generated much of the wealth on which Craigends was built, after decades of decline finally goes in to liquidation.

World War II breaks out across Europe.

Craigends is once again requisitioned by the British Army. Soldiers are stationed in Craigends House and Mrs Cuninghame and her sister, Helen Laura Pearson, are confined to the east wing. During this time Princess Mary visits the ATS soldiers stationed there.

A German bomber, returning from a bombing raid over the Clyde, jetisons its remaining payload over Houston and Craigends. Mrs Cuninghame is standing atop the tower of Craigends House as bombs detonate in the field dirrectly opposite the house.

November Fairlie Cuninghame Pearson, brother of Alison Pearson, and regular visitor at Craigends is found dead in his chair inside Craigends House. He died suddenly at the age of 72.

November Alison Cuninghame, widow of John Charles Cuninghame, the 17th Laird of Craigends, dies at the age of 88. She nominates William Philip "Bill" Cuninghame, a relative by marriage, and farmer from Buckinghamshire in England, to inherit Craigends. It is believed that her sister, Helen Laura Pearson, is granted life tenancy of Craigends House.

March Helen Laura Pearson dies at the age of 91. It is believed she remained at Craigends House until her death.

Alison Cuninghame's nomination of Bill Cuninghame to inherit Craigends is disputed by John Lennox Cuninghame, the direct male heir of the Cuninghames of Craigends. The case is eventually thrown out by the Hight Court?.

October The contents of Craigends House are sold at auction and the house is left vacant. In the following years local people delight in discovering the derelict estate, it's gardens and mansion.

Bill Cuninghame sells the Craigends estate to the house building company Taylor Woodrow. It is believed he was offered £1 million for "everything inside the walls".

Around this time the roof of Craigends House is removed. Complete dillapidation of the building soon follows.

After years of dereliction Craigends House is largely demolished. Only the ruined shell of the entrance gable is left standing.

Taylor Woodrow start construction work on their first housing development in Craigends: Ardgryffe Crescent.

Over the following years consecutive housing estates consume much of the parkland of the old estate. Many of the remaining estate buildings (gatehouses, stables, gardens etc) are demolished.

The ruined remains of Craigends are demolished. The stone Lion which had stood atop Craigends House for the past hundred years is transported to the Carrick Centre in Houston.

Despite opposition from Renfrewshire Council and the local community, planning permission is granted by the Scottish Office for two developments in the woods on and around the site of Craigends House. These "developments", which would become Thistle Lane and Cunningham Gardens, destroy much of the ancient character of Craigends.