STRATHAVEN

'Strathaven' (Gaelic: ''Srath Aibhne'') (pronounced: Stra'ven , meaning: valley of the Avon) is a small town in South Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Contents

Location

History

Threat to the Common Green

External links

Location

The town is located on the edge of the valley of the Avon Water, around 9 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. 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. 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. 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. The settlement within the lands of Strathaven became a Burgh of barony in 1450. It still retains its traditional character despite the growth of more modern housing satisfying the needs of commuters to Glasgow. 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.
The town prospered in the 18th and 19th centuries as a weaving town, although there were many merchants living here too. 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. 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. It remains a private residence.

Threat to the Common Green

The future of Strathaven town centre is deemed by some to be under threat from proposals for a massive Sainsbury's on the edge of the town on the old Auction Mart site. Despite the abundance of small shops and the unique character of the town centre, South Lanarkshire Council have actively sought a hypermarket operator to take over the site. Opposition from the local Community Council, supported by the local newspapers, has largely been overlooked and residents last hopes of a reprieve lie with the current inquiry into the South Lanarkshire Local Plan.Conversely there is also some thought that perhaps a successful retailer may actually convince residents that they do not have to travel to nearby towns for shopping,thereby supporting the local shops indirectly.

External links

★ Town of Strathaven

★ Strathaven in Old Postcards

★ Strathaven castle Website

★ Annual Strathaven Hot Air Balloon Festival (non-profit organisation)