The Tavern Motherwell 3.28

In 1848, on the land where the Tavern now sits, there were two houses owned by the Caledonian Railway Company. One of these a one storey house with attics, was occupied by Richard Pillans, a weaving agent, and his family. Other houses were built over the years and from these the "Railway Inn", an "old time howf", emerged.

The first publican was "Cherry", a man who had a reputation as being a good fiddler, always ready to oblige with a tune of his fiddle when called for. Public house in those days were open all night and the finest whisky was 4D. a Gill. It was customary to be served with a "faurle o cake" or "bannock" to eat with each drink. Alternatively the bannocks could be saved and exchanged for another gill.

In 1873/74 most of the houses were demolished for the construction of the Dalziel High Church but the Railway In was left in its original position. It was reconstructed at a later date which brought to its present appearance when the railway cutting was made at the turn of the century.

After "Cherry", the business changed hands serveral times until John Ballie took over and first gave the name of "The Railway Tavern". The business was registered as a Grocers/Wines & Spirits merchant for a number of years, and was managed by Mr. Hugh Borland who was a prominent townman and a master of the local Masonic lodge. It remained in the Ballie family until it was sold to Henry Clyde Gray in 1944, whose name remains printed on the doorstep. It remained a "free house" pub until Scottish & Newcastle bought it over in the late 1950's when it was run by a series of nominee managers.

Since June 1982, The Railway Tavern has been successfully run along traditional lines by the current license holder Pat Ross