Braidwood, South Lanarkshire facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Braidwood |
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 Braidwood
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| Population | 590 (2020) |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LANARK |
| Postcode district | ML11 |
| Dialling code | 01555 |
| Police | Strathclyde |
| Fire | Strathclyde |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament | |
| Scottish Parliament | |
Braidwood is a small and friendly village in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. It is located close to the town of Carluke. This village has a rich history and beautiful natural surroundings. In the past, the area of Braidwood was part of a medieval barony. This included the historic Tower of Hallbar.
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Discover Braidwood Village
Braidwood has seen many changes over the years. New houses have been built recently. These homes are mostly on the land where a vehicle recycling business used to be. More new buildings are also being constructed near the Beanshields road. The local petrol station, called "Nellfield Garage," is still open. It also has a small shop for the community.
Braidwood House History
One of the most important buildings in Braidwood is Braidwood House. It was once the home of Lord Clydesmuir. Over the years, this large house has had different uses. For a while, it was a special home for people with cerebral palsy. This home was managed by an organization called Capability Scotland.
Today, Braidwood House is home to the South of Scotland offices of the Forestry Commission. This group helps manage forests and woodlands. The house was also briefly used for a program called the Airborne Initiative. This program offered outdoor training for young people. However, the funding for this program stopped in 2004. The building has since fallen into disrepair. You can still find a small animal cemetery in the overgrown gardens.
Learning in Braidwood
The village of Braidwood has its own primary school. This school teaches some local children. It also welcomes many students from nearby Carluke. After primary school, students usually go to Carluke High School.
School Building Design
The old primary school building was quite special. It was known for its unique shape. Many people thought it looked like an alien spacecraft! This interesting building was rebuilt in 2014. The new school is much larger and modern.
Exploring Braidwood's Nature
Braidwood is located in the beautiful Clyde Valley. It is about 1 kilometre (0.6 miles) away from the River Clyde. Even though it is a small village, Braidwood offers many lovely places to explore.
Woodland Paths and Ponds
There are several signposted footpaths in the valley. They lead through the woodlands. Some of these paths have unusual names, like Fiddler's Gill. The village also has an attractive duck pond. This pond is a popular spot for picnics and enjoying nature.
Local Curiosities
Between the Fiddler's Gill footpath and St Oswald's farm, there is an interesting abandoned item. It is known as the Braidwood telescope. This was once used by a local amateur astronomer. Now, it is a disused relic in the landscape.
