Hallside before 1878

Thomas Annan captured Hallside, located in the parish of Cambuslang in Scotland, using a photogravure process sometime between 1877 and 1892. During this period, Scotland underwent significant industrialization and urbanization, leading to social and economic disparities. Annan’s photography often documented these changes, providing insight into both the grandeur and the challenges of Scottish life. Here, the stoic architecture stands as a testament to enduring legacy, embodying the concept of Scottish heritage through its visual representation of place. However, the choice to photograph Hallside from an exterior perspective evokes questions about who is included and excluded from this narrative. Is Annan, in his representation of Hallside, inviting us to reflect on the relationship between place, identity, and belonging? This image prompts us to consider the ways in which representations of homes and properties reflect broader social and political landscapes, and how personal histories are interwoven with collective memory.