Banton, North Lanarkshire facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Banton
Banton with Dullatur in the background.
Banton
Council area	North Lanarkshire
Lieutenancy area	Dunbartonshire
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	GLASGOW
Postcode district	G65
Dialling code	01236
Police	Strathclyde
Fire	Strathclyde
Ambulance	Scottish
EU Parliament	Scotland
UK Parliament	Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East
Scottish Parliament	Cumbernauld and Kilsyth
List of places UK Scotland 55°59′24″N 4°00′22″W / 55.990°N 4.006°W / 55.990; -4.006

Banton is a small village located near Kilsyth in North Lanarkshire, Scotland. It's a quiet place with a rich history and a strong community spirit.

History of Banton

Battles and Beginnings

A long time ago, in 1645, a big battle happened nearby. An army called the Covenanters gathered near Banton. They were preparing to fight against the Royalist forces. This important fight was known as the Battle of Kilsyth. It was a major event during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.

In 1767, a businessman named William Cadell bought the Banton area. He was interested in the ironstone found there. Around this time, a church was built in Banton. Local leaders and businessmen helped pay for it. A school and a house for the schoolmaster were also built.

Village Life and Work

Banton first grew around an area called High Banton. People mainly worked in farming and mining. Later, a part of the village, then called Low Banton, had factories. These factories made special cloth like lappet and muslin.

A weaving mill, J & P Wilson's, opened in 1839. It operated for over 100 years. Today, it's the main office for J. B. Bennett Ltd. Coal mining was also very important. Many people worked in the mines during the 1700s. Other jobs included making sickles, paper, bricks, and tiles.

Banton's Loch and Rivers

The Townhead Reservoir, also known as Banton Loch, is about 1 kilometre (0.6 miles) west of the village. It was built in 1773. Its purpose was to supply water to the Forth and Clyde canal. Today, a fishing club uses the loch. In the past, there were even two curling clubs in Banton. However, the loch only freezes enough for curling in very cold winters.

The River Kelvin starts near Banton. This river flows all the way to Glasgow. The area called Kelvinhead gets its name because it's close to where the river begins.

Banton Today

Banton is a small village with a few local places to go. It used to have a shop and a post office, but they closed in 2011 and 2010. However, there is still a pub and restaurant called The Swan Inn.

Community Spirit

In 2017, a group called People United for Banton (PUB) bought The Swan Inn. They want to turn it into a community hub. In 2018, they received a large amount of money from the National Lottery. This funding will help them create a place for everyone in the village.

Banton also has a primary school for younger students. There is a church and a bowling green for sports. Several small businesses operate in the village too.

Getting Around

The A803 road runs south of Banton. This road connects the village to Kilsyth and Glasgow to the west. It also leads towards Linlithgow to the east. You can also easily reach the M80 motorway from Banton. An hourly bus service (number 35) connects Banton to other towns. These include Falkirk, Bonnybridge, and Kilsyth.

Images for kids

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  Banton Gardens

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  Parish Church

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  Banton Loch

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  Public Park

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  Banton above Banton Loch left of the Forth and Clyde Canal

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  Banton Loch also known as Townhead Reservoir

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  Banton in relation to the Forth & Clyde Canal

Source of the Kelvin

The Swan Inn, Banton Situated in the heart of the village at the Cross.

Banton Bowling Club