Common Green, the centre of Strathaven

Strathaven (Gaelic: Srath Aibhne) (pronounced: Stra'ven [ˈstɹeɪvn̩], meaning: valley of the Avon) is a small town in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 435 KB) Summary Common Green, or The Green, Strathaven, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 435 KB) Summary Common Green, or The Green, Strathaven, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. ... Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) is a member of the Goidelic branch of Celtic languages. ... South Lanarkshire (Siorrachd Lannraig a Deas in Gaelic) is one of 32 unitary council regions in Scotland, covering the southern part of the traditional county of Lanarkshire. ... This article is about the country. ...

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. The River Avon Water is a river in Scotland and a tributary of the River Clyde. ... The Mausoleum of the Dukes of Hamilton, in the grounds of the old Hamilton Palace Hamilton (Hamaltan, in Scottish Gaelic) is a town in Central Scotland. ... For other uses, see Glasgow (disambiguation). ... The A71 is a major road in Scotland linking Edinburgh with Lanarkshire and Ayrshire. ... For other uses, see Edinburgh (disambiguation). ... For the town in Virginia, USA, see Kilmarnock, Virginia. ... Secondary school is a term used to describe an institution where the final stage of compulsory schooling, known as secondary education, takes place. ... Primary or elementary education is the first years of formal, structured education that occurs during childhood. ...

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. Roman Britain refers to those parts of the island of Great Britain controlled by the Roman Empire between 43 and 410. ... Loudoun Hill is a volcanic plug in East Ayrshire, Scotland. ... , Darvel (Dervel locally) is a small town in East Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of 3361. ... Strathaven Castle above the A71. ... Events 29 August - An English fleet personally commanded by King Edward III defeats a Spanish fleet in the battle of Les Espagnols sur Mer. ...

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. Archibald the Grim also known as Blak (Black) Archibald (c. ... The Lords, or Kings of Galloway ruled over Galloway, in south west Scotland, for a large part of the High Middle Ages. ... Maurice de Moravia [de Moray, Murray] (d. ... A burgh of barony is a type of Scottish town (burgh). ... // March - French troops under Guy de Richemont besiege the English commander in France, Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset, in Caen. ... For other uses, see Glasgow (disambiguation). ... Year 1772 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Duke of Hamilton is a title in the Peerage of Scotland created in 1643. ... Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre is a UK Government-run immigration detention facility in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, near the town of Strathaven that previously was known as Dungavel Castle or 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. The Radical War, also known as the Scottish Insurrection of 1820, was a week of strikes and unrest, a culmination of Radical demands for reform in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland which had become prominent in the early years of the French Revolution, but had then been... 1820 was a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... James Wilson was born on September 3, 1760 in the parish of Avondale in Scotland. ... 1846 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...

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. Sir Harry Lauder, KBE (4 August 1870 - 26 February 1950) was a very famous Scottish entertainer, described by Sir Winston Churchill as Scotlands greatest ever ambassador! // Early Years Born Henry Lauder at 4 Bridge Street Portobello, the residence of his mother’s father, he was the eldest son of...

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)

Coordinates: 55°40′37.65″N, 4°4′0.47″W Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...