Windhover, 15 Woodmuir Crescent

This house dates from around 1867 and one of its first occupants was William Robertson. He named it Balmore but in 1879 took the name with him when he had his new mansion built just along West Road.

Robert Fleming

The next occupant was Robert Fleming who lived here with his family until 1880. The house was then named Tighnavon. Robert Fleming was one of Scotland’s finest financiers, forging his career both in Scotland and London. In 1873 he launched the Scottish American Investment trust, Scotland’s first investment trust. He was highly respected in financial circles on both sides of the Atlantic. A shrewd investor, he was an acknowledged expert in the financing of American railroads.

He was a generous benefactor particularly in Dundee where he donated to both the city and the University College. He gifted the Fleming Gymnasium (now Forensic Medicine) and, in an attempt to improve workers’ housing conditions, he gifted £155,000 for the construction of the Fleming Gardens estate.

007 Connection

Also worth mentioning is his rather famous grandson. Robert had two sons, Valentine and Philip, both born in Newport. Philip became an accomplished canoeist, competing in the 1912 Olympics. Valentine became MP for South Oxfordshire but was killed in WWI. Valentine’s son was none other than Ian Fleming, creator of 007.