There was hardly a notable visitor to South Africa who was not entertained at Glenshiel by the Dalrymples.  Among the many distinguished guests to stay at Glenshiel were international singing sensation and comedian, Sir Harry Lauder, as well as the then Governor-General, the Earl of Athlone, and his wife, Princess Alice.  To avoid the long journey back to Government House in Pretoria at night, Lord Athlone and his wife often stayed overnight at Glenshiel after an evening of engagements in Johannesburg.

Lady Dalrymple died in 1938.  Upon her death, the family received over 1100 letters and cables in appreciation of her life.  Sir William passed away three years later in 1941.

Sir William Dalrymple

After the death of Sir William, Glenshiel and its surrounding gardens were subdivided and sold.  In 1943 the house, stables and 7 acres of land were sold to Major Gordon Haggie who immediately loaned it to St John Ambulance to use as an auxiliary military hospital for convalescent orthopaedic patients during World War 2.

He is quoted as saying “I took Glenshiel for the express purpose of it being a haven for “St John” in whatever way they liked to give healing and peace to those damaged physically and mentally through the war.  This was done to my entire satisfaction and I think a marked degree of success.”

The hospital at Glenshiel operated under the supervision of the Nursing Superintendent in Chief, Muriel Walton, a great friend of Major Haggie and much admired by him.  The staff generally consisted of V.A.Ds (voluntary aid detachments) and members of the St John Ambulance Association.  The former drawing room was used as the main ward and bars were put around the walls to protect the beautiful wooden panels from the movement of the beds.  There were also beds out on the terrace under the protection of the north verandah.  As it was an orthopaedic hospital, there were many wheel chairs and ramps that had to be provided.  Facilities also had to be arranged for the arrival of ambulance cases.  One room in the house was set aside for occupational therapy where the patients were taught to make sheepskin slippers, leather bags, writing cases and so on.

Major and Mrs Haggie, who were by now living in the converted stables, were frequent visitors to the hospital.  They assisted materially with funds and their never failing interest did an enormous amount for the men’s morale.  Major Haggie equipped the workshop in the garden.  This carpentry shop helped the men enormously as a diversion during their recuperation.  The bored or lazy were diplomatically introduced to the healing qualities of work, and instead of allowing themselves to be watched for hours on end, Major Haggie would turn over a piece of work to a bystander who had been quite happy as an onlooker – he would suddenly find himself with a chisel in his hand, and before he knew where he was, he was engrossed in a wood working project of some kind.  In fact, many of the patients became expert craftsmen and at the National Eisteddfod in 1945, Glenshiel won many awards for articles exhibited in the military arts and crafts section.

Major Gordon Haggie

On the 26^th of March 1946, the St John Flag was ceremoniously lowered at Glenshiel and the last of the eleven St John Ambulance Auxiliary Military Hospitals was closed.  Altogether 2 500 soldiers convalesced at Glenshiel.

Glenshiel returned to Major Haggie and soon afterwards his son, the late Ian Haggie and his wife Dawn moved into the “Stables” which they had extended.

In 1950 Major Haggie retired and returned to England.  Glenshiel, under the auspices of the Haggie Trust, was lent in perpetuity to the Order of St John to be used as the National Headquarters of the Priory for South Africa of the Order of St John.  Thus Glenshiel became the first permanent Priory Headquarters and therefore the focal point of all St John activities throughout the years. (Previously, Priory Headquarters would be set up in whichever city the Prior at the time resided in.)

On 9^th March 1979, the whole of the Glenshiel Estate was declared a National Monument.

Some interesting facts about Glenshiel:

• The area presently occupied by the downstairs flatlet used to be a large pantry, silver room, flower arranging room and laundry.
• Sir William had a large collection of other birds which were housed in aviaries on and around the various verandas, dining and seating areas. White and multi-coloured peacocks roamed freely.
• It is said that Sir Herbert Baker acquired his gardening knowledge from Gertrude Jekyll who gave up her impressionist painting career due to failing eyesight. It was Miss Jekyll who made Baker understand the interdependence of architecture and surrounding gardens.  Baker’s custom was to design gardens to harmonise with his houses and his beautiful solid, dressed stone steps, walls, paths and terraces that surround Glenshiel remain largely unchanged.
• The original property extended over 27 acres and went right down to Jan Smuts Avenue. Much of the area below Pallinghurst Road was used mainly for growing vegetables and herbs.  The grounds were meticulously cared for by no less than 27 full time gardeners.
• Some alterations to the estate were necessary when it was donated to the Order of St John. The driveway, which once used to come right up to the forecourt where it ended in a circle, was changed and the entrance made through a gate in Woolston Road.
• The entrance gates were erected in 1978 in memory of Alpheus Gardner Williams, who was Prior from 1970 – 1978 and who died in office. The Rose Garden, once a tennis court, was planted in memory of Brigadier Charles Hoffe, who was Prior from 1961 to 1969.
• The swimming pool, which nestles at the bottom of the koppie in the centre of the grounds was one of the first to be built in a private home in Johannesburg. Much of the rock taken from the construction of the pool was used in the gardens to create terraces, walls and steps.
• A charming feature of the garden of Glenshiel is the tiny tudor-style house called Polly Ann. It was one of several such houses designed and built by Major Haggie and his company for the ‘Liberty Cavalcade’ at Zoo Lake in 1942 to raise funds for the Governor General’s Fund.  Afterwards it was transported back to Glenshiel and rebuilt, brick by brick, with the enthusiastic help of the patients of the hospital.  The sign ‘Olde England’ and the Wishing Well across the lawn were also part of the ‘Liberty Cavalcade’.

The gardens offer many delightful surprises.  Take a wander through them and see if you can spot the numerous named walks or areas.  Names like “Dawn Walk”, “Spillane Gardens” and “Kate’s Corner” appear amongst trees, on walls or next to pathways.  Rest upon the stone bench atop the koppie or just enjoy the view from the recently refurbished Rose Garden below the main verandah.