Strathaven

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Strathaven (pronounced /ˈstreɪvən/; Gaelic: Srath Aibhne [stra ˈəjnə], meaning: valley of the Avon)^{[citation needed]} is a small town in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. The town was granted a Royal Charter in 1450, making the Town of Strathaven a Burgh of Barony.

Location

The town is located on the edge of the valley of the Avon Water, around 6 miles from Hamilton, and 23 miles from Glasgow. The A71, which connects Edinburgh and Kilmarnock passes through the town. In the 2001 census the town had a population of 7,875^{[citation needed]}. Strathaven has one secondary school and three primary schools - Kirklandpark Primary, Wester Overton Primary, and St Patrick's Primary. It also has a grass airfield about two miles to the north west, on Lethame Road.

History

Strathaven has a long history as a market town.^{[citation needed]} A Roman road passes close by, on the south side of the Avon Water, which led to the Roman fort at Loudoun Hill near Darvel. The origins of Strathaven Castle are obscure, but it is believed to have been built around 1350 by the Bairds, on a bend of the Powmillon Burn.^{[citation needed]} Today it is a ruin, with a single tower and sections of wall remaining beside the A71.

The Barony of Strathaven was acquired in 1362 by Archibald the Grim, Lord of Galloway, by his marriage to Joanna, daughter to Maurice de Moravia, 1st Earl of Strathearn, great Moray heiress.^{[citation needed]} The settlement within the lands of Strathaven became a Burgh of barony in 1450.^{[citation needed]} It still retains its traditional character despite the growth of more modern housing.^{[citation needed]} The centre of the town is occupied by the market square, formerly a grassed common, and still known as Common Green, or just 'The Green'. Linking the town and the castle is the old 'Boo Backit Brig' ('bow-backed bridge'), a small arched bridge. The Old Parish Church, with its landmark spire, was built in 1772, and was the place of worship of the Dukes of Hamilton who maintained a shooting lodge at nearby Dungavel House.^{[citation needed]}

The town prospered in the 18th and 19th centuries as a weaving town, although there were many merchants living here too.^{[citation needed]} The town played a significant part in the Radical War of 1820, when James Wilson led a band of radicals on a march to Glasgow, to join a rumoured general uprising, which never actually happened. Wilson was hanged for treason, and in 1846 a memorial was built in his honour in the town cemetery.^{[citation needed]} The history of Strathaven is now documented in the town's John Hastie Museum.

Its most famous 'modern' resident was Sir Harry Lauder (1870-1950) whose mansion, Lauder Ha', or Hall, was just above the town on the road to Kilmarnock. Sir Harry spent the Second World War years there, and died in February 1950. The family retained the property until Death Duties of 65% forced a sale in the late 1960s.^{[citation needed]} It remains a private residence.

Strathaven Academy

See Strathaven Academy

Strathaven railway stations

Strathaven North station in 1906.

Strathaven had, at various times, three railway stations.

• Strathaven station, the first station, was the terminus of the Hamilton and Strathaven Railway. The railway was taken over by the Caledonian Railway; and the station was replaced by Strathaven North railway station.
• Strathaven North railway station, a terminal station on the Hamilton and Strathaven Branch of the Caledonian Railway, opened in October 1904, closed temporarily during World War I; and closed on 30 September 1945.
• Strathaven Central railway station, on the line from Stonehouse to Drumclog, closed in June 1964.

Sport

Strathaven is home to several sports clubs, which include:

• Strathaven Dynamo AFC
• Strathaven Rugby Club
• Strathaven Striders
• Strathaven Golf Club
• Strathaven Bowling Club
• Avondale Bowling Club
• Strathaven Tennis Club
• Strathaven Badminton Club (Currently Meets in Larkhall due to the rebuilding of the sports centre).
• Avon Angling Club

Strathaven's Sport Centre is currently being rebuilt along with the academy. It is expected to reopen in the summer of 2009.

Sport facilities in Strathaven include an 25 m Indoor Swimming pool and Gym, 3 Grass football pitches, 2 Ash Football Pitches, 4 Tennis Courts, 2 Rugby pitches and several Badminton courts in Church and Primary school halls

Famous Residents (Past and Present)

• Bertie Auld Footballer and one of the Lisbon Lions who played with Celtic
• William Cochran Painter
• Sir Robert Giffen Financial editor of The Times newspaper and President of the Royal Statistical Society
• Andy Kerr Labour Politician and former Scottish Executive Health Minister
• Sir Harry Lauder Singer, comedian and music hall entertainer
• Una McLean Actress and comedian
• Ricky Warwick Singer and guitarist with rock bands The Almighty and Circus Diablo
• James Wilson Revolutionary leader who participated in the Scottish Insurrection of 1820

References

External links

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• Strathaven castle Website
• Town of Strathaven
• Strathaven Academy Blog
• Strathaven in Old Postcards
• Annual Strathaven Hot Air Balloon Festival (non-profit organisation)
• Strathaven Airfield web site
• Microlight flying school at Strathaven Airfield
• Flying school at Strathaven Airfield
• Hovercraft experiences at Strathaven Airfield
• Scottish Gazetteer : Strathaven
• Strathaven Rugby Club
• Strathaven Dynamos
• Strathaven Tennis Club
• Strathaven and District Pipe Band

Coordinates: 55°40′37.65″N 4°4′0.47″W / 55.677125°N 4.0667972°W / 55.677125; -4.0667972