The Dreamy Spires

The dreamy spires of Oxford... sadly no it is in fact Mount Zion Church in Quarrier's Village near Bridge of Weir. When I was driving out of Kilmacolm theis morning just before 5 30am the mist was swirling in the valley over Quarriers Village and it seemed to make the old church stand out from the greenery around.

The village was founded as the Orphan Homes of Scotland in 1876 by William Quarrier on the site of the former Nittingshill Farm. As a devout Christian, Quarrier also wished to pass on these values to the children in his charge and he commissioned Mount Zion Church - known informally as the Children's Cathedral. The Church of Scotland sold the property and it was developed into flats.

A shadow fell over the village with revelations and convictions of former staff for abuse of children being cared for there, sadly the actions of these people blighted the care that was provided to so many children over the years including I discovered at my fathers funeral my fathers cousin for a while.

Architecturally the village is beautiful, the houses built in Quarrier's Village were individually designed. The village has an unusual mix of Gothic, French, Old English, Scottish baronial and Italian architecture. The overall plan of the village is of a more English style than is typical in the area, with a parkland and village green- Robert Bryden of the Clarke and Bell in Glasgow was the main architect working free of charge on Quarrier's projects over a course of some twenty-eight years.

It is an imposing, beautiful building, I hope you enjoy the shot, the twins think it is akin to something from Harry Potter and love to spot it when we pass or run up to see it is we walk out to the village of an evening. An idealistic vision of William Quarrier sadly lost now perhaps when it would have benefited young people most.