Bothwell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bothwell
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.jpg) Bothwell Library |
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 Bothwell
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| Population | 6,870 (2020) |
| OS grid reference | NS705585 |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Glasgow |
| Postcode district | G71 |
| Dialling code | 01698 |
| Police | Strathclyde |
| Fire | Strathclyde |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament | |
| Scottish Parliament |
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Bothwell (Scottish Gaelic: Both Chluaidh) is a special village in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. It's part of the larger Greater Glasgow area. You can find Bothwell on the north side of the River Clyde. It's right next to Uddingston and Hamilton, about 9 miles (14 km) east of Glasgow city centre.
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Bothwell: A Historic Scottish Village
Bothwell is a very old village that used to be a mining town. It was also the site of the famous Battle of Bothwell Bridge in 1679. Today, Bothwell is a popular place for people who work in Glasgow to live. It's known for its nice homes and has attracted some famous people, including professional footballers.
Property prices in Bothwell have gone up a lot. In 2019 and 2021, a street called "Earls Gate" was named the most expensive street in the Greater Glasgow area. Homes there cost over £1,125,000 on average.
The older houses in Bothwell are made of sandstone in the Victorian style. Newer homes are built closer to Bothwell Castle and near the Bothwell Castle Golf Club. These new houses have helped the village's population grow. In 2011, Bothwell had about 6,000 people living there. Most people in Bothwell own their homes, and families often have higher incomes than the national average.
What Can You Do in Bothwell?
Bothwell has two primary schools: Bothwell Primary School and St Bride's RC Primary School. There's also a library and a bowling club. You'll find many small shops, businesses, pubs, and restaurants on the main street.
The area around Bothwell is great for outdoor activities. It has many walkways, nature trails, woodlands, and green spaces. A footbridge crosses the river to Blantyre. This bridge leads directly to the David Livingstone Centre, which is a museum about the famous explorer.
The local church in Bothwell was rebuilt in the late 1800s. It still has parts of a much older church from 1398. Inside, there's a special memorial for the poet Joanna Baillie (1762–1851), who was born in the church's old house.
Bothwell Castle: A Historic Ruin
The beautiful ruins of Bothwell Castle sit on a hill above a bend in the River Clyde. This spot is famous in Scottish songs as the "Bothwell bank." This strong castle once belonged to Sir William Moray. Over time, it passed to the House of Douglas family. Later, in 1487, it was given to Patrick Hepburn, 1st Earl of Bothwell. The title eventually went to the Earls of Home.
Bothwell Castle is a great example of Gothic architecture. It was built as a large square shape with round towers on the south side. You can still see the remains of a chapel at the east end. A newer house, called New Bothwell Castle, was built nearby in the 1600s. However, it was taken down in 1926 because of problems from mining. You can reach the castle by walking along the scenic Clyde Walkways.
Brighter Bothwell: Making the Village Better
Brighter Bothwell is a local group that started in 2000. Their goal is to make Bothwell a better place for everyone. Volunteers work hard to improve public areas.
Since the group began, they've made many improvements. They've created a Nature Trail, the Jubilee Garden, and the Marion Gilchrist Garden. Their efforts have helped Bothwell win awards in the Beautiful Scotland campaign. In 2012, Bothwell won the prize for the best Small Town.
Brighter Bothwell has also helped start other community groups. These include The Organic Growers of Bothwell and The Bothwell Scarecrow Festival. These groups work with Brighter Bothwell to make a positive difference in the village.
Bothwell Scarecrow Festival
The Bothwell Community Scarecrow Festival began in 2011. It was inspired by similar festivals in other UK villages. The idea was to bring the community closer and help local businesses. The festival has taken place every year since then.
This festival has become very popular! The main street fills up with creative scarecrows from August onwards. Many local businesses make their own scarecrows. Children in the village also create scarecrows for their gardens. The festival raises money for the Yorkhill Children's foundation, which helps sick children.
In 2013, a new event called 'The Scarecrow Festival of Transport' was held at Bothwell Primary School. It was a celebration of different types of transport from history. People from the village showed off their cars and vehicles. Even famous companies like Bentley Glasgow took part.
Sports in Bothwell
Speedway Racing
Speedway racing used to happen in the Bothwell Castle area in the late 1940s and early 1950s. A track was built on old railway land by club members. They used it for training. Sometimes, a team called the Bothwell Bulls would race against teams from other training places.
Some famous speedway riders started their careers at Bothwell. These include Tommy Miller, who became well-known with the Glasgow Tigers in 1950, and Ken McKinlay, who is considered one of Scotland's best speedway riders ever.
Bothwell Castle Golf Club
The Bothwell Castle Golf Club officially opened on June 16, 1923. The Earl of Home, whose son later became Prime Minister, opened the club. The golf course covered 110 acres between the 13th-century castle and the village.
In 1960, the club couldn't afford to buy the course, so a developer bought it. By 1962, plans were made to build houses on the land. This meant the golf club lost 7 holes and had to build new ones. The new part of the course opened in 1973.
The club finally bought the course in 1976 for £70,000. This helped secure its future. In 2002, a fire completely destroyed the clubhouse. The club decided to build a new clubhouse in a different spot, closer to the middle of the course. The new clubhouse opened in October 2004.
In 1997, a club member named Sheila Beckett wrote a book about the club's history to celebrate its 75th anniversary. Bothwell's golf course is flat and has 18 holes. It's challenging for golfers of all skill levels. The new clubhouse allowed the club to change the course layout, adding new tee positions and greens.
Famous People from Bothwell
Many notable people have either been born or lived in Bothwell. Here are a few:
- Joanna Baillie, a Scottish poet and playwright.
- Theresa Breslin, a Scottish novelist.
- Chris Brookmyre, a Scottish crime novelist.
- The Very Rev John Chalmers, who was a leader of the Church of Scotland (born in Bothwell).
- Joseph James Coleman, a chemist and inventor.
- Marion Gilchrist, the first woman to graduate from the University of Glasgow and the first woman to become a doctor in Scotland.
- Leigh Griffiths, a Scottish footballer.
- Henrik Larsson, a Swedish footballer.
- Archie MacPherson, a football broadcaster and journalist.
- Rev John Pagan, another leader of the Church of Scotland.
- Gordon Strachan, a Scottish football manager.
Images for kids
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Bothwell Parish Church
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Remains of Bothwell's old train station in 1961. It closed in 1955.
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See also
In Spanish: Bothwell para niños
