Larkhall
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Larkhall
| |
|---|---|
 Millheugh Bridge and the Larkhall Viaduct | |
  Larkhall Location within South Lanarkshire | |
| Population | 15,030 (2020)[1] |
| OS grid reference | NS7651 |
| • Edinburgh | 34 mi (55 km) |
| • London | 332 mi (534 km) |
| Civil parish | |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LARKHALL |
| Postcode district | ML9 |
| Dialling code | 01698 |
| Police | Scotland |
| Fire | Scottish |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| UK Parliament | |
| Scottish Parliament | |
Larkhall (Scottish Gaelic: Taigh na h-Uiseig)[2] is a town in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, around 14 miles (23 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 14,951 in the 2011 UK Census, and is a typical Scottish former industrial town. Traditionally a mining, weaving and textile area, most of Larkhall's traditional industries have now closed down, including the Lanarkshire ironworks.
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 skylark. However, there is no evidence that the town is named after the bird. It is more likely that Laverock was a surname.[3] The name for Larkhall was originally a Scots word Laverockhaugh (Laverockha), which meant laverock - skylark and haugh - boggy/wet area.
History
One of the town's most notable historical landmarks is the Morgan Glen viaduct standing over the Avon Water. The viaduct was built between 1898 and 1904 for the Caledonian Railway company by Sir William Arrol & Co.[4] It spans some 285 yards (261 m), and at a height of 175 feet (53 m),[5] it is the tallest viaduct in Scotland. The viaduct is in a state of disrepair since the closure of the railway line in 1965 and is closed to public access for safety reasons. In the 1990s, the viaduct was under the threat of dismantling but was protected by a local heritage group.[6] The viaduct is Category B listed.[4] It is currently on the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland.[7]
Glenview memorial fountain is a local fountain and artwork in the town, originally produced by the Saracen Foundry.[8]
On 22 December 1999 a large gas explosion took place in the town which resulted in the death of four people.[9] In Transco plc v HM Advocate Transco were subsequently found guilty of culpable homicide and fined £15 million in 2004.[10][11][12]
Education
The primary schools in Larkhall are Machanhill Primary School, Dalserf Primary School, Glengowan Primary School, Hareleeshill Primary School, Craigbank Primary School, Netherburn Primary School and Robert Smillie Memorial Primary School. There is also a Catholic primary school, St Mary's. The town's sole secondary school is Larkhall Academy.
Religion
The Church of Scotland has most adherents at 7,416 persons (49.6% of the population). The 2011 census notes there are 1,247 Roman Catholics living in the town (8.3% of the population).[13]
Larkhall contains eight churches: Chalmers Parish Church, The Church At The Cross, Larkhall Baptist Church, Larkhall Congregational Church, St. Machan's Parish Church, St. Mary's R.C. Church, Strutherhill Gospel Hall and Trinity Parish Church. There is also a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses.[14]
Transport
Trains returned to the town in December 2005, with the opening of the new Larkhall railway station, 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.
Location grid
Destinations from Larkhall | |
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