Larkhall
Encyclopedia
Larkhall is a town in South Lanarkshire
, Scotland
and is around 14 miles (22.5 km) southeast of Glasgow
. It is twinned with Seclin
in northern France.
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 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 shut, including the Lanarkshire iron and steel works.
. However, there is no evidence that the town is named after the bird. It is more likely that Laverock was a surname.
The name for Larkhall was originally a Scots word Laverockhaugh (Laverockha), which meant Laverock- Skylark and Haugh- boggy/wet area. A mapmaker incorrectly changed it from the Scots word to the English word with a completely different meaning
Roman Catholic secondary schoolchildren attend Holy Cross High School in Hamilton
.
, which is a terminus on the Argyle Line
. The station provides regular services to Glasgow and beyond. Merryton railway station
serves the northern end of town and is also on the Argyle Line.
Larkhall also has good bus links with frequent services to Hamilton
, Lanark
, Motherwell
, Stonehouse
, Strathaven
and Wishaw
.
Scotland's main motorway, the M74
skirts the eastern edges of the town. Larkhall has 2 motorway intersections: Junction 7 with the A72
, which is for southbound traffic only, and Junction 8 with the A71
, which is for both northbound and southbound traffic. Junction 8 is known locally as Canderside Toll or The Toll. The centre of Glasgow
can be reached in 20 minutes; Edinburgh
is around 50 minutes away.
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. Also home of Larkhall United Junior Football Club.
Larkhall is also home to the West Of Scotland Karting club just outside of town.
The town also has its own 9 hole municipal Golf Course which was founded in 1909.
It also has a running club Larkhall YMCA Harriers who's vests are red with two white hoops.
The Harriers consist of Master ladies and men , Senior Ladies and men, Under 17's , Under 15's ,Under 13's, Under 11's and Under 9's.
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.
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 executive Colin Paterson
. Larkhall is also responsible for Mhairi Love who is a double silver medallist in the 2004 Paralympics for the U.K.
South Lanarkshire
South Lanarkshire is one of 32 unitary council areas of Scotland, covering the southern part of the former county of Lanarkshire. It borders the south-east of the city of Glasgow and contains many of Glasgow's suburbs, commuter towns and smaller villages....
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
and is around 14 miles (22.5 km) southeast of Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
. It is twinned with Seclin
Seclin
Seclin is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.It is part of the Urban Community of Lille Métropole.Ghana national football team footballer Andre Ayew was born in Seclin.-Twin towns — Sister cities:...
in northern France.
Larkhall sits on high ground between the River Clyde
River Clyde
The River Clyde is a major river in Scotland. It is the ninth longest river in the United Kingdom, and the third longest in Scotland. Flowing through the major city of Glasgow, it was an important river for shipbuilding and trade in the British Empire....
to the East and the Avon Water
Avon Water
Avon Water, also known locally as the River Avon, is a 24-mile-long river in Scotland, and a tributary of the River Clyde.The Avon Water rises in the hills on the boundary between East Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire, close to the head of the Irvine Water...
to the West. Larkhall sits on the edge of the scenic Clyde valley and is a commuter town
Commuter town
A commuter town is an urban community that is primarily residential, from which most of the workforce commutes out to earn their livelihood. Many commuter towns act as suburbs of a nearby metropolis that workers travel to daily, and many suburbs are commuter towns...
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 shut, including the Lanarkshire iron and steel works.
Name
The name Larkhall or Laverock 'Ha first appears in journals around 1620. The origins of the name are unknown, although Laverock is the Scots word for skylarkSkylark
The Skylark is a small passerine bird species. This lark breeds across most of Europe and Asia and in the mountains of north Africa. It is mainly resident in the west of its range, but eastern populations are more migratory, moving further south in winter. Even in the milder west of its range,...
. However, there is no evidence that the town is named after the bird. It is more likely that Laverock was a surname.
The name for Larkhall was originally a Scots word Laverockhaugh (Laverockha), which meant Laverock- Skylark and Haugh- boggy/wet area. A mapmaker incorrectly changed it from the Scots word to the English word with a completely different meaning
Non-Denominational Schools in Larkhall District
- Machanhill Primary School, Machanhill, Larkhall, ML9 2HG
- Craigbank Primary School, Glengonnar Street, Strutherhill, ML9
- Dalserf Primary School, Douglas Drive, AshgillAshgillAshgill is a village in South Lanarkshire, Scotland....
, ML9 3AQ
- Glengowan Primary School, Academy Street, Larkhall, ML9 2BJ
- Hareleeshill Primary School, Myrtle Lane, Hareleeshill, ML9 2RQ
- Larkhall Academy, Broomhill, Larkhall, ML9 1QN
- 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
Hamilton, South Lanarkshire
Hamilton is a town in South Lanarkshire, in the west-central Lowlands of Scotland. It serves as the main administrative centre of the South Lanarkshire council area. It is the fifth-biggest town in Scotland after Paisley, East Kilbride, Livingston and Cumbernauld...
.
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, AshgillAshgillAshgill is a village in South Lanarkshire, Scotland....
- 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 1DR. Pastor - Bob Paterson. (www.thechurchatthecross.co.uk)
- Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Montgomery Street
Transport
Trains returned to the town in December 2005, with the opening of the new Larkhall railway stationLarkhall railway station
Larkhall railway station serves the town of Larkhall, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. The station is the south-eastern terminus of the Argyle Line, 26 km south east of Glasgow Central railway station.- History :...
, which is a terminus on the Argyle Line
Argyle Line
The Argyle Line is a suburban railway located in West Central Scotland. It connects the Lanarkshire towns of Lanark, Larkhall and Motherwell to West Dunbartonshire via central Glasgow using sub-surface running...
. The station provides regular services to Glasgow and beyond. Merryton railway station
Merryton railway station
Merryton railway station is a railway station in Larkhall, Scotland. The station is managed by First ScotRail and lies on the Argyle Line.The station was officially opened on 9 December 2005, as part of the Larkhall branch re-opened at the same time....
serves the northern end of town and is also on the Argyle Line.
Larkhall also has good bus links with frequent services to Hamilton
Hamilton, South Lanarkshire
Hamilton is a town in South Lanarkshire, in the west-central Lowlands of Scotland. It serves as the main administrative centre of the South Lanarkshire council area. It is the fifth-biggest town in Scotland after Paisley, East Kilbride, Livingston and Cumbernauld...
, Lanark
Lanark
Lanark is a small town in the central belt of Scotland. Its population of 8,253 makes it the 100th largest settlement in Scotland. The name is believed to come from the Cumbric Lanerc meaning "clear space, glade"....
, Motherwell
Motherwell
Motherwell is a town and former burgh in North Lanarkshire, Scotland, south east of Glasgow. The name "Moderwelt" appears on a map of Lanarkshire made by Timothy Pont some time between 1583 and 1611 and printed in the Netherlands in around 1652, although the settlement was probably little more...
, Stonehouse
Stonehouse, South Lanarkshire
Stonehouse is a rural village in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. It is located on Avon Water in an area of natural beauty and historical interest, near to the Clyde Valley. It is also situated on the A71 trunk road between Edinburgh and Kilmarnock, close to the towns of Hamilton, Larkhall and...
, Strathaven
Strathaven
Strathaven is a historic market town in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. The town was granted a Royal Charter in 1450, making the Town of Strathaven a burgh of barony. The town's principal industry was primarily weaving in the 19th and early 20th centuries, however this declined when faced by...
and Wishaw
Wishaw
Wishaw is a large town and former burgh in North Lanarkshire, Scotland. It is on the edge of the Clyde Valley, 15 miles south-east of Glasgow....
.
Scotland's main motorway, the M74
M74 motorway
The A74 and M74 motorways form a major motorway in Scotland. Following an extension opened on 28 June 2011, it connects the M8 motorway west of Glasgow to the English border at Gretna, creating an alternative route for traffic moving from the south to the west of the city...
skirts the eastern edges of the town. Larkhall has 2 motorway intersections: Junction 7 with the A72
A72 road
The A72 is a major route in Scotland connecting Hamilton in South Lanarkshire, with Galashiels in the Scottish Borders.It travels for over 60 miles in a South-Easterly direction, along the Clyde and Tweed valleys, passing the towns of Larkhall, Lanark, Biggar and Peebles.-Hamilton to...
, which is for southbound traffic only, and Junction 8 with the A71
A71 road
The A71 is a major road in Scotland linking Edinburgh with Lanarkshire and Ayrshire. It adjoins the Livingston Bypass A899.It runs south west from Edinburgh for approximately 70 miles, through Saughton, Wilkieston and south of Livingston, Whitburn and Wishaw, then by way of the Garrion Bridge,...
, which is for both northbound and southbound traffic. Junction 8 is known locally as Canderside Toll or The Toll. The centre of Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
can be reached in 20 minutes; Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
is around 50 minutes away.
Location Grid
Sport
The town has two Junior FootballScottish Junior Football Association
The Scottish Junior Football Association is an affiliated national association of the Scottish Football Association and is the governing body for the Junior grade of football in Scotland. The term "Junior" refers to the level of football played...
teams: Larkhall Thistle F.C.
Larkhall Thistle F.C.
Larkhall Thistle F.C. are a football club from Larkhall, in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. Formed in 1878 the Jags are Scotland's oldest Junior Football Club and currently compete in the SJFA Central Division One. They play in red and white stripes and their home ground since 1881 is Gasworks Park...
and Royal Albert F.C.
Royal Albert F.C.
Royal Albert Football Club are a Scottish football club, based in the town of Larkhall, South Lanarkshire. Nicknamed the Albert, they were formed in 1878....
. 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. Also home of Larkhall United Junior Football Club.
Larkhall is also home to the West Of Scotland Karting club just outside of town.
The town also has its own 9 hole municipal Golf Course which was founded in 1909.
It also has a running club Larkhall YMCA Harriers who's vests are red with two white hoops.
The Harriers consist of Master ladies and men , Senior Ladies and men, Under 17's , Under 15's ,Under 13's, Under 11's and Under 9's.
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.
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.Notable people
Larkhall is home to snooker player and 2006 World Snooker ChampionshipWorld Snooker Championship 2006
The 2006 888.com World Snooker Championship professional ranking snooker tournament was held at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, and was scheduled for 15 April through 1 May 2006, but continued into the early hours of 2 May 2006. Ending at 12:52 a.m...
winner, Graeme Dott
Graeme Dott
Graeme Dott is a Scottish professional snooker player from Larkhall in Scotland. He won the 2006 World Championship, which was his first ranking title after four previous runner-up spots...
. Previous residents include footballing brothers Jim McLean
Jim McLean
James Yuill McLean is a Scottish former football player and manager. He is best known for his 22-year spell as manager of Dundee United; the longest-serving and most successful manager in the club's history, he led them to three major honours and established them as a force in European competitions...
, Willie McLean & Tommy McLean
Tommy McLean
Thomas "Tommy" McLean is a Scottish former professional footballer who played for Kilmarnock and Rangers....
and also Paul McStay
Paul McStay
Paul Michael Lyons McStay MBE, nicknamed the Maestro , is a former football player who spent his entire career with Scottish team Celtic F.C., making his debut in 1982 and retiring in 1997. He captained both Scotland and Celtic at all age levels...
. Other high profile former residents include actress Una McLean
Una McLean
Una McLean MBE is a Scottish actress and comedienne, best known for appearing in pantomimes. She was married to Scottish stage and film actor Russell Hunter from 1991 until his death in 2004....
and media executive Colin Paterson
Colin Paterson
Colin Paterson is a Scottish journalist and broadcaster who is currently the entertainment correspondent on BBC Radio 5 Live and was a presenter and reporter on BBC Three's Liquid News.-Early life:...
. Larkhall is also responsible for Mhairi Love who is a double silver medallist in the 2004 Paralympics for the U.K.