The Brisbane Glen is an ecological sanctuary filled with many rare species and historic sites such as Noddsdale Water hamlet from Victorian times, which has long been an attraction for tourists and has even been reported as haunted.
Glen Bennett had grown accustomed to calling Roni from his long-haul truck, to say goodnight before hitting the road at nightfall. But in August 2020 that would all change.
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The Brisbane Mains Farm
Goldcrest Land and Forestry Group is offering for sale near Largs a farm featuring the Brisbane Glen for more than PS2 million. The property features woodland, medieval hill fort and cairn commemorating Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane; they will all add value.
The Glen is an oasis for wildlife, offering ancient oak and ash woodland planted as part of Brisbane House estate policies in 17th-century (demolished in 1941). Today it serves as home for bats and fungi species alike.
Glen New Farm was also home to the New Farm Powerhouse built in 1928 to supply electricity to Brisbane’s growing tram network as well as lighting and power needs in nearby suburbs such as Toowong, Ithaca and Yeerongpilly. The building was designed by Roy Rusden Ogg of Brisbane’s Tramways Department architect firm.
The ‘Prophet’s Grave’
According to local legend, Smith became known as the Prophet because on his deathbed he predicted that Largs would always remain free of plague and pestilence as long as people prevented holly trees from touching his grave. Furthermore, according to Sunnah and Hadeeth of Prophet sallal laahu alaihi wa sallam graves should be raised at least an arm-span higher rather than being elevated like shrines as this is forbidden and considered Shirk.
Noddsdale Water
A paved pathway winds its way through this park, offering children’s play equipment and toilet facilities as well as model boat enthusiasts’ pond and model boat storage facility. From here it is just a short stroll to Noddsdale Water at Largs Promenade at its northern end.
Multiple landowners in Brisbane Glen have joined forces to plant over 136ha of new woodland. Most of this planting took place within target areas for the “Woodlands for Water” grant program, which offers funding incentives to plant woodlands that provide multiple benefits such as improved water quality and natural flood management.
Noddsdale Water was originally powered by a small hydro electric scheme installed during the 1920s to power several cottages and the House, as well as being later renovated and upgraded in 2010. A track extends all the way up The Knock for stunning views across Noddsdale Water to the Isle of Arran, Cumbraes and Bute. On clear days this view is spectacular!
Largs
Today, Largs’ main business lies with its seafront and marina, as well as an expanding golf industry. Additionally, there are cafes, ice cream parlours and restaurants on its esplanade as well as Kelburn Country Park and Largs Castle which features colourful Brazilian graffiti created through an initiative meant to unite cultures.
Brisbane Woods’ Prophet’s Grave, situated in an isolated spot within Brisbane Woods, commemorates Rev William Smith who died of the plague in 1644 and asked to be interred here after prophesying that two rowan trees planted either side would prevent contact between themselves, thus ending any threat from future plague outbreaks.
There is much history surrounding Colms’ Day Fair; long gone industries such as weaving and the town’s own distillery; as well as how plague (probably typhus) swept through this region. There is much to regale us of this place. But here is one: feuding families, the fearsome Sir Robert Montgomerie transformed into a repentant penitent; hijinks at annual Colms’ Day Fair; hi-jinks during annual Colms’ Day Fair, long gone industries such as weaving; hijinks at annual Colms Day Fair; hijinks at annual Colms Day Fair; annual hijinks at Colms Day Fair; long since disappeared industries like weaving; as well as how the plague (probably typhus) spread throughout its surroundings.