Bantaskine


Bantaskine is a park with woodlands in Falkirk, Scotland that was formerly the Bantaskine Estate, a coal mining estate. Artist Mary Georgina Wade Wilson grew up there. The Battle of Falkirk Muir was fought nearby. It is also known as South Bantaskine. North Bantaskine on the other side of the canal was an agricultural estate. It is listed as a historically significant archeological site by Historic Environment Scotland.

Etymology

The name may be from the Welsh words for a rise and a hollow, signifying a rise over a hollow.

History

The property was owned by a merchant operating in West Indian territories, Thomas Campbell Hagart. A brickworks was also on the property.

Wilson family

The Bantaskine estate was held by the Wilson coal magnate family. Coal magnate Robert Wilson established the estate as part of his coal mining empire. After his death, his 21 year-old son and future MP John Wilson took over running the estate. He had eight daughters and a son. Mary Georgina Wade Wilson is known for her watercolor and pastel paintings. She grew up on the Bantaskine Estate in Falkirk before training in Edinburgh and Paris. Her work includes illustrations especially of gardens. The Falkirk Museum has an image of her as a child.
The Falkirk Community Trust Museum & Archives Collections has one of her works.
The stained glass windows from a mansion that once stood in the property are preserved at a local shopping center.
Robert Moffat stayed at the estate several times. It had substantial landscaping and gardens. Miss Wilson used them as a subject of her paintings.