Coordinates: 55°44′N 3°58′W / 55.74°N 3.97°W
| Larkhall | |
| Scots: Laverock 'Ha | |
  Larkhall
Larkhall shown within Scotland |
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| Population | 15,549 |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Council area | South Lanarkshire |
| Lieutenancy area | Lanarkshire |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LARKHALL |
| Postcode district | ML9 |
| Dialling code | 01698 |
| Police | Strathclyde |
| Fire | Strathclyde |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament | Lanark and Hamilton East |
| Scottish Parliament | Clydesdale & South of Scotland |
| List of places: UK • Scotland • | |
Larkhall is a town in South Lanarkshire, Scotland and is around 18 miles (29 km) southeast of Glasgow. It is twinned with Seclin in northern France.
The name Larkhall or Laverock 'Ha first appears in journals around 1620. The origins of the name are unknown, although Laverock is the Scots translation of "Lark." However, there is no evidence that the town is named after the bird. It is more likely that Laverock was a surname.[1]
Larkhall sits on high ground between the River Clyde to the East and the Avon Water to the West. Larkhall sits on the edge of the scenic Clyde valley and is rapidly turning into a commuter town for Glasgow. Larkhall had a population of 15,549 in the 2001 census, and is a typical west of Scotland industrial town. Traditionally a mining, weaving and textile area, most of Larkhall's traditional industries have now closed, including the Lanarkshire iron and steel works, leaving many people unemployed.
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Education
Non-Denominational Schools in Larkhall District
- Craigbank Primary School, Glengonnar Street, Strutherhill, ML9
- Dalserf Primary School, Douglas Drive, Ashgill, ML9 3AQ
- Glengowan Primary School, Academy Street, Larkhall, ML9 2BJ
- Hareleeshill Primary School, Myrtle Lane, Hareleeshill, ML9 2RQ
- Larkhall Academy, Broomhill, Larkhall, ML9 1QN
- Machanhill Primary School, Machanhill, Larkhall, ML9 2HG
- Netherburn Primary School, Draffan Road, Netherburn, ML9 3DE
- Robert Smillie Memorial Primary School, Glen Avenue, Strutherhill, ML9 1NJ
Roman Catholic Schools
- St Mary's Primary School, Raploch Road, ML9 1AN
Roman Catholic secondary schoolchildren attend Holy Cross High School in Hamilton.
Places Of Worship
- Chalmers Parish Church, Robert Smillie Crescent, Strutherhill, ML9 1LR
- Larkhall Baptist Church, Machan Road, Larkhall, ML9 1HX
- Larkhall Congregational Church, Machan Avenue, Larkhall, ML9 2HE
- Rorison Memorial Church, Ashgillhead Road, Ashgill
- St. Machan's Parish Church, Church Street, Larkhall, ML9 1EZ
- St. Mary's R.C. Church, Raploch Road, Larkhall, ML9 1AN
- Trinity Parish Church, Union Street, Larkhall, ML9 1EF
- The Church At The Cross, Union Street, Larkhall, ML9
Transport
Trains returned to the town in December 2005, with the opening of the new Larkhall railway station which is a terminus on the Argyle Line. The station provides regular services to Glasgow and beyond. Merryton railway station, Larkhall's second station, services the Northern end of town and is also on the Glasgow route.
Larkhall also has good bus links with frequent services to Hamilton, Motherwell, Wishaw, Lanark, Stonehouse & Strathaven.
Scotland's main motorway the M74 skirts the Eastern edges of the town. Larkhall has 2 exits on the Motorway - Junction 7 A72 (Southbound only) and Junction 8 A71 (Northbound & Southbound). Junction 8 is known locally as Canderside Toll or "The Toll." The city centre of Glasgow can be reached in 25 minutes. Edinburgh is around 50 minutes away.
Location Grid
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Hamilton | Motherwell | Wishaw | |
| East Kilbride |  |
Carluke | ||
 Larkhall  |
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| Strathaven | Stonehouse | Lanark |
Sport
The town have two Junior Football teams: Larkhall Thistle F.C. and Royal Albert F.C.. Royal Albert were once a full member of the Scottish Football League but now ply their trade in the lower reaches of the Central Junior divisions. Larkhall is also home to the West Of Scotland Karting club just outside of town where Lewis Hamilton was a regular in years gone by. The town also has its own 9 hole municipal Golf Course which was founded in 1909. Also home of the famous Larkhall United.
It also has a running club Larkhall YMCA Harriers who's vests are red with two white hoops.
Black Lady
The black lady of Larkhall was the wife of Captain McNeil, then owner of Broomhill House. She was brought to Larkhall by Captain McNeil after one of his many seafaring voyages. She was happy with her new life but her ignorance of Scottish customs made her a social outcast. The Captain forbade her to leave Broomhill House during the day.
Soon she was not seen at night either and the Captain claimed she had disappeared, but locals were suspicious. She soon returned, as her ghostly form appeared in the windows of Broomhill House and then later in Morgan Glen. It is not known if she ever got her revenge on the Captain but he did die prematurely.
When Broomhill House fell into disrepair the five hundredweight door lintel was moved to The Applebank Public House by five men. The next day it was found lying across the road from the public house.
In the 1960s a team from the "Tonight" programme visited Larkhall as they tried to perform the first televised exorcism. The cameras were frozen over in fine weather and after filming finished the director was killed in a road crash on his way to another location. He was found with a fence post impaled in his heart. [2]
Community Website
www.Larkhall.biz The Community & Business information website for the town.
Local Landmarks
One of the town's most notable landmarks is the Morgan Glen viaduct standing over the Avon Water. At 170ft, it is the tallest viaduct in Scotland.
Famous People
Larkhall is home to snooker player and 2006 World Snooker Championship winner, Graeme Dott. Previous residents include footballing brothers Jim McLean, Willie McLean & Tommy McLean and also Paul McStay. Other high profile former residents include actress Una McLean and media excutive Colin Paterson.
A list of famous people from Larkhall can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:People_from_Larkhall
References
- ^ A. D. MILLS. "Larkhall." A Dictionary of British Place-Names. Oxford University Press. 2003.
- ^ http://www.larkhall.s-lanark.sch.uk/local_info/lh_black_lady.shtml
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