South Calder Water
Encyclopedia
The South Calder Water is a river in Scotland
. It runs west from the high plateau between Shotts
and Fauldhouse
, which also produces the River Almond
, which flows east into the River Forth
.
The river is known locally as "The Cawder".
, Wishaw
and Motherwell before flowing into the River Clyde
at Strathclyde Loch.
Between its source and Newmains
it follows a wide glacial valley and passes the village of Bonkle
and Murdostoun Castle
, but after Newmains until its end at Strathclyde Loch in Motherwell, it cuts through a very deep and meandering valley. This valley was filled in at Ravenscraig
during the construction of Ravenscraig steelworks
to provide a large flat area. The river is therefore placed in a "cut and cover" tunnel as it passes for approximately 1/2 mile underneath the site, before reappearing at Jerviston. Driving across the now derelict Ravenscraig site gives no clues as to the underground river flowing below.
The river ends at Strathclyde Loch, where it used to join directly with the River Clyde. The River Clyde was diverted about 1 mile west of this point in the 1960s to create the large man made loch, which is now fed purely by water from the South Calder Water.
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...
. It runs west from the high plateau between Shotts
Shotts
Shotts is a small rural town in North Lanarkshire, Scotland. It is located almost halfway between Glasgow and Edinburgh . As of the 2001 census, the population was 8,235...
and Fauldhouse
Fauldhouse
Fauldhouse is a town in West Lothian, Scotland. It is about halfway between Glasgow and Edinburgh.-History:Fauldhouse is known since the Middle Ages, and was known until the 19th century by the names "Falas" or latterly "Fallas." The seventeenth century Dutch mapmaker Willem Blaeu features...
, which also produces the River Almond
River Almond, Lothian
The River Almond is a river in east-central Scotland. It is 28 miles long, rising in North Lanarkshire near Shotts and runs through West Lothian, draining into the Firth of Forth at Cramond near Edinburgh....
, which flows east into the River Forth
River Forth
The River Forth , long, is the major river draining the eastern part of the central belt of Scotland.The Forth rises in Loch Ard in the Trossachs, a mountainous area some west of Stirling...
.
The river is known locally as "The Cawder".
Route
The South Calder Water follows a short course of approximately 10 miles, during which it winds round ShottsShotts
Shotts is a small rural town in North Lanarkshire, Scotland. It is located almost halfway between Glasgow and Edinburgh . As of the 2001 census, the population was 8,235...
, 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....
and Motherwell before flowing into 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....
at Strathclyde Loch.
Between its source and Newmains
Newmains
-External links:* *...
it follows a wide glacial valley and passes the village of Bonkle
Bonkle
Bonkle is a village three miles north-west of Wishaw in North Lanarkshire, Scotland. Murdostoun Castle is located nearby.- External links :* *...
and Murdostoun Castle
Murdostoun
Murdostoun is or was a vast estate in Lanarkshire, Scotland, which includes a castle, , which lies on the South Calder Water near the village of Bonkle in the parish of Shotts, Lanarkshire, Scotland. The name MURDOSTOUN was derived from the words MURTHOCK and TON which meant dwelling of Murthock...
, but after Newmains until its end at Strathclyde Loch in Motherwell, it cuts through a very deep and meandering valley. This valley was filled in at Ravenscraig
Ravenscraig
Ravenscraig is an area of land located in North Lanarkshire, Scotland. Ravenscraig was previously inhabited by steel industry workers, as it was formerly the site of Ravenscraig steelworks...
during the construction of Ravenscraig steelworks
Ravenscraig steelworks
The Ravenscraig steelworks, operated by Colvilles and latterly by British Steel, consisted of an integrated iron and steel works and a hot strip steel mill. They were located in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, Scotland....
to provide a large flat area. The river is therefore placed in a "cut and cover" tunnel as it passes for approximately 1/2 mile underneath the site, before reappearing at Jerviston. Driving across the now derelict Ravenscraig site gives no clues as to the underground river flowing below.
The river ends at Strathclyde Loch, where it used to join directly with the River Clyde. The River Clyde was diverted about 1 mile west of this point in the 1960s to create the large man made loch, which is now fed purely by water from the South Calder Water.