Rutherglen

History

Rutherglen received the status of Royal Burgh in 1126 by Royal Charter from King David I of Scotland who ruled from 1124 to 1153. In the 14th century Walter Stewart, father of King Robert II, was granted Farme Castle. This was located close to Farme Cross in the east of Rutherglen, and stood until the 1960s.

Rutherglen was a centre of heavy industry, having a long coal mining tradition which died out by 1950. J&J White's Chemical Works (later ACC Chrome & Chemicals) in Shawfield, which was in existence from 1820 to 1967, produced more than 70% of the UK's Chromate products including chromic acid, chromic oxide pigment, sodium and potassium chromate and dichromate. Today there is a significant legacy of soluble chromium (VI) waste in the area. Rutherglen, and most of the other towns encircling the city, are dormitory suburbs of Glasgow.

Etymology

The name of Rutherglen, as well as its Scots name Ruglen, is perhaps from Scottish Gaelic An Ruadh-Ghleann, meaning 'the red valley'. The derivation may also however be Welsh, or Cumbric and mean "the valley of Rydderch". Rydderch - pronounced 'rutherch' - 'ruther' as in 'brother' and 'ch' as in 'loch' - was one of the most famous kings associated with the Welsh-speaking kingdom which centred on Dumbarton.

Governance

Rutherglen was a parliamentary burgh represented in the UK Parliament as a component of Glasgow Burghs constituency from 1708 to 1832, and as a component of Kilmarnock Burghs from 1832 to 1918. In 1918, the Rutherglen constituency was created, which became Glasgow Rutherglen in 1983.

In 1999, the Scottish Parliamentary constituency of Glasgow Rutherglen was created, with the same boundaries as the then UK parliamentary constituency.

In 2005, Scottish constituencies for the UK parliament were mostly replaced with new constituencies, and Rutherglen is now within the Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency. As of 2015 Margaret Ferrier (SNP) is the local MP.

In 2011 The Scottish Parliament constituency was redrawn and renamed Rutherglen. As of 2016 Clare Haughey (SNP) is the MSP for Rutherglen. The defeated incumbent James Kelly (Labour) is now a list MSP for the Glasgow region which includes Rutherglen. All three local representatives have strong personal ties to the area.

Transport

Rutherglen Main Street is served by Rutherglen railway station and there are also numerous bus links into Glasgow City Centre. Completion of the M74 Extension means that there is a motorway going through the town, that will allow easier access to places such as Glasgow Airport and the English Border.

Media

The local newspaper is the Rutherglen Reformer.

The local community radio station is CamGlen Radio.

Areas in the Royal Burgh of Rutherglen

The Royal Burgh of Rutherglen has expanded over the years and now contains many other areas.

Since being granted Royal Burgh status by King David I, the town has grown from strength to strength and increased in size. It now covers a much larger region than the initial Burgh boundary. The nearby village of Burnside and High Burnside fall under the Rutherglen boundary but have their own Community Council. Historic areas such as the Burgh, Farme Cross, Quigleys and Burnside have changed greatly over the years too and more recent estates like Westhouse and the post-war developments of Newfield and Burnhill have given the Burgh an ever-changing character.

The current area of Rutherglen can be divided into 22 areas (seven of which fall into the Burnside and High Burnside area of the Burgh which was once, and is often still considered to be, self-contained).

Burgh

The Burgh area of Rutherglen includes the old heart of the Royal Burgh of Rutherglen and the area directly around it. It features a war memorial, several religious establishments, old school house, new restaurants, a statue of Dr. Gorman, old county buildings, old tenements.

The Mitchell Arcade was given a makeover and renamed the Rutherglen Shopping Centre and used to feature a Daily Market. The Town Hall was recently refurbished as well.

Farme Cross

Farme Cross is one of the Boundary Areas of the Royal Burgh and is surrounded by the River Clyde and the City of Glasgow (Dalmarnock). There is a great many monuments and attractions here including a series of Standing Stones to commemorate the boundary stones of the old Royal Burgh and another monument near the bridge to Dalmarnock in Glasgow.

There is a lot of development work proposed for this region following the completion of the M74 Extension to the Glasgow Region Motorway network and the Clyde Gateway developments. A new retail park around the supermarket features two fast-food restaurants, KFC and McDonald's.

Cuningar Loop

The Cuningar Loop is an area on the south of the River Clyde near the Farme Cross region of the Royal Burgh of Rutherglen. It has now been transformed into a woodland park connecting across the River Clyde to the City of Glasgow (Dalmarnock) and the Commonwealth Games village.

Shawfield

The Shawfield region of the Royal Burgh of Rutherglen is mostly abandoned business districts. The Clyde Gateway projects aims to reinvest in this region and create new business parks and make the River Clyde accessible in Rutherglen once again. The old port of Rutherglen is accessible where the railway line passes over the riverside path. This area is however overgrown. You can access Farme Cross from under the railway bridge via the undergrowth.

Currently Shawfield Stadium (the former home of Clyde FC) is home to dog racing. Although not immediately noticeable, the building has Art Deco features.

Burnhill

Burnhill in the West of the Royal Burgh of Rutherglen borders the City of Glasgow (Toryglen and Hangingshaw). The region is home to the Rutherglen Branch of the South Lanarkshire Council youth club, Universal Connections and also The Celsius Stadium for Rutherglen football club, Glencairn. The area heavily features grassland, especially around the grass mound of Burnhill itself where the Jenny Burn from Cathkin Braes and Castlemilk (Glasgow) passes underneath.

Newfield

Lying adjacent to Burnhill, Newfield is a small estate bordering Bankhead (Rutherglen) and Croftfoot (Glasgow). There are limited amenities on the border with the Glasgow region including a pub and small grassed areas are dotted around between the housing.

Westhouse

Falling almost entirely within the Newfield and Bankhead areas is a new estate of Newhouse. This area features modern, attractive housing developments and keeps the green theme from Glasgow and Rutherglen with gardens throughout.

Clincarthill

Lying immediately behind the Burgh area, Clincarthill rises high over Rutherglen offering views across the Royal Burgh. There is a church and a school in this area and plenty of remaining old sandstone tenements from the past. The area has a distinctive character of its own.

Wardlawhill

Lying across Stonelaw Road from Clincarthill, Wardlawhill and its twin act like sentinels guarding the entrance and exit from Burgh (Rutherglen) to Burnside Village and Stonelaw beyond. There are a few remaining tenement buildings here as well as a church. The area features some older, large housing and is a gateway to the Stonelaw region featuring the old Rutherglen Academy which later became Stonelaw High.

Overtoun

The area including and surrounding Overtoun Park features a number of old buildings, including a nearby set of old red sandstone tenement buildings. The fountain in the park was once in Rutherglen Main Street. It had been erected in 1897 to mark Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee but was moved to the park in 1911 as it had become an obstacle to the increasingly popular motor car. The park was briefly one of the City of Glasgow District Parks when Rutherglen was under Glasgow Rule from 1975 to 1996.

Gallowflat

The area known locally as East Main Street featuring some old tenement buildings. There is also an ancient burial mound which had been used at one time as an icehouse in the grounds of the now demolished Gallowflat house.

Stonelaw

South of Gallowflat you reach Stonelaw, an area including Stonelaw High School and Rutherglen bowling club. This region has many features of the Garden Suburb including Woodburn Park a valley-like park on the East of Stonelaw Road which takes its name from the now-demolished Woodburn House. The most up-market place in Rutherglen, it is home to many expensive properties. The house system of Stonelaw High School names are based from avenues in the Stonelaw Area Jedburgh, Dryburgh,Melrose and Kelso

Bankhead

With a burn flowing through it and some old tenement buildings. There is a small row of shops here also.

Quigleys Estate

Once a private estate, the land of Quigleys is now a housing scheme - albeit a small one. The burn that flows through most of this side of Rutherglen is visible here for some distance ending in a small pond near the Bankhead estate. The grassland and pathway here are popular with local residents.

Burnside and High Burnside

A small prosperous village within the Rutherglen boundary, centred mostly around the Stonelaw Road and Burnside Road areas. It is a pleasant leafy suburb approximately six miles from the heart of Glasgow with its own set of shops and a small parkland, namely, Stonelaw Woods and Woodburn Park. It is also home to a supermarket (off Stonelaw Road) and hotel (off East Kilbride Road). There are a number of churches and a bowling green, and several tennis courts. Much of the traditional residential property was built in the early 1900s from blond and red sandstone providing a pleasant, traditional environment for families.

Burnside

Burnside itself contains the main shopping area and some older housing. Stonelaw Woods lies at the northern boundary of the village and takes its name from the old Stonelaw Tower (a form of castle) that once stood nearby Burnside and the Stonelaw area of Rutherglen. The nearby Woodburn Park offer local residents many green spaces to visit.

High Burnside

High Burnside is a region to the south of Burnside which includes nearly all of the more modern estates mentioned below. As such the elements of High Burnside that remain are mostly the streets of older houses off of Burnside Road north of Blairbeth Road (including several with great views over the Burgh of Rutherglen and the City of Glasgow) and those off the Cathkin Bypass and at the far side of the Cathkin Estate. A small park sits at the heart of High Burnside with amenities for children.

High Crosshill

A small region featuring some old houses and bordering the Burnside area of the Royal Burgh. It gives access to Overtoun Park, has some views on Broomieknowe Road and includes Rutherglen Cemetery.

Springhall

An self-contained estate featuring a few local landmarks such as a sports court and the Cathkin Library.There are two local schools (Loch Primary and St AnthonysRC ) and small parts of the estate are built on the land of a former loch (Boultrie Loch) which was a hot-spot for curling and skating in winter. A new stone sign welcomes you into the estate from the East Kilbride Road entrance. There is a small collection of local shops near the library and a sports pitch in a pen at the heart of the estate. A large housing tower block looms over the centre of the estate also.

Cathkin

A modern estate, currently undergoing a great deal of regeneration. The estate borders the City of Glasgow (Carmunnock and Cathkin Braes Country Park) and offers views over the City of Glasgow valley. A small wooded area (Cathkin Woods) near the boundary region with Cambuslang (Whitlawburn) and East Kilbride District. Cathkin Shops off Cathkin Bypass and Cullins Road feature a supermarket, local newsagent, betting shop and more. The old Cathkin House at the top of the estate offers a great view over Rutherglen and Glasgow beyond. Like many parts of the town, a new stone and metal entrance sign welcomes you as you enter Cathkin from Cathkin Bypass.

Fernhill

A modern housing estate undergoing a great deal of regeneration. It is home to an all girl High School and has its own Community Centre. A park was regenerated in the 1990s, Fernhill Park and offers a home to many animals. The area is bordered by the City of Glasgow (Castlemilk). Fernhill Road divides the estate. There are proposals in place for the Cathkin Relief Road to take Mill Street from Rutherglen and extend it through the parkland to connect with the Cathkin Bypass. This would lead to the loss of much parkland and habitat. It could also split Fernhill from the other areas of Rutherglen. The estate has two churches at either end and an entrance sign off Burnside Road.

Blairbeth

Blairbeth housing estate with some small local amenities and little parks. The area borders Burnside proper and includes several hillside streets with views over the Burgh of Rutherglen and Glasgow. New facilities for local residents have been added to the estate. A large grass field bordering Fernhill Road and Mill Street is popular in the summer months for football. This park land is being reduced in size by the Cathkin Relief Road project which is currently under construction.

Spittal

A small community with a little burn flowing through it (originating somewhere in Cathkin Braes Country Park or Castlemilk Park in the City of Glasgow). A new Community Centre was built some years back. There are also local amenities. The estate borders Croftfoot and Castlemilk in the City of Glasgow. A small grassed area borders the local centre and the burn (popularly known as the Jenny Burn in Castlemilk, Glasgow).

Non-denominational schools

Roman Catholic schools

Private schools

Football

Rutherglen has one football club, Rutherglen Glencairn F.C. who play in the Scottish Junior West Region Super Premier League. The club was formed in 1896 and has won the famous Scottish Junior Cup on 4 occasions (1901–02, 1918–19, 1926–27, 1938–39).

Rutherglen Glencairn recently moved into a brand new stadium (New Southcroft Park, currently sponsored by Celsius Cooling and renamed as The Celsius Stadium) situated in the Burnhill area of Rutherglen following the demolition of the old ground (Southcroft Park). The side had played at their old ground for over 100 years. The Glencairn Venue building on Glasgow Road is owned by the football club, although the company operating in the building is a separate entity from the club.

In 2008 Rutherglen Glencairn won the Central District League First Division Championship with a record points total. The 2009/2010 season saw Glencairn record back to back Championships when they won the West Region Super League Division One Championship at the first attempt.

Clyde Football Club used to play in the area before moving to the former new town of Cumbernauld. The immediate area could be considered the cradle of Scottish football, with Hampden Park, the national stadium and home to Scotland's oldest football club Queen's Park F.C. being close by as well as Cathkin Park, the home of the defunct Third Lanark F.C. and not far to the north, Celtic Park, the home of Celtic F.C. - all of which (apart from Clyde's former ground) are located in the City of Glasgow.

Notable people

Sportspeople

Landmarks

The local war memorial is by Scots sculptor George Henry Paulin.