Larkhall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Larkhall
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 Millheugh Bridge and the Larkhall Viaduct |
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 Larkhall
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| Population | 15,030 (2020) |
| OS grid reference | NS7651 |
| • Edinburgh | 34 mi (55 km) |
| • London | 332 mi (534 km) |
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| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LARKHALL |
| Postcode district | ML9 |
| Dialling code | 01698 |
| Police | Strathclyde |
| Fire | Strathclyde |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament |
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Larkhall is a town in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. It is about 14 miles (22 km) southeast of Glasgow. The town is twinned with Seclin in northern France.
Larkhall is located on high ground. The River Clyde is to its east and the Avon Water is to its west. It sits near the beautiful Clyde valley. Many people who live in Larkhall travel to Glasgow for work. In 2011, Larkhall had a population of 14,951 people. It used to be a big industrial town. It was known for mining, weaving, and textiles. Today, most of these old industries have closed down.
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What's in a Name?
The name Larkhall, or Laverock Ha, was first written down around 1620. We don't know exactly where the name came from. Laverock is the Scots word for skylark. However, there is no proof that the town is named after this bird. It is more likely that Laverock was a family name.
The original name for Larkhall was Laverockhaugh. This meant laverock (skylark) and haugh (a wet, boggy area).
Larkhall's History
One of the most famous old structures in Larkhall is the Morgan Glen viaduct. A viaduct is like a very long bridge that carries a railway or road. This one stands over the Avon Water. It was built between 1898 and 1904 for the Caledonian Railway company. The company Sir William Arrol & Co. built it.
The viaduct is about 285 yards (260 meters) long. It is 175 feet (53 meters) high, making it the tallest viaduct in Scotland. The railway line closed in 1965. Since then, the viaduct has become old and damaged. It is now closed to people for safety reasons. In the 1990s, there was a plan to take the viaduct apart. But a local group worked to protect it. The viaduct is now a protected historical building.
The Glenview memorial fountain is another local landmark. It is a fountain and a piece of art. It was made by the Saracen Foundry.
Learning in Larkhall
Larkhall has several primary schools. These include Machanhill, Dalserf, Glengowan, Hareleeshill, Craigbank, Netherburn, and Robert Smillie Memorial Primary Schools. There is also a Catholic primary school called St Mary's. The main secondary school for the town is Larkhall Academy.
Faith in Larkhall
Many people in Larkhall belong to the Church of Scotland. In 2011, about 7,416 people, or 49.6% of the population, were part of this church. There are also 1,247 Roman Catholics living in the town. This is about 8.3% of the population.
Larkhall has 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
- Trinity Parish Church
There is also a Kingdom Hall for Jehovah's Witnesses.
Getting Around Larkhall
Trains came back to Larkhall in December 2005. A new station, Larkhall railway station, opened. It is the end of the Argyle Line. This line offers regular trains to Glasgow and other places. Merryton railway station is also in Larkhall. It serves the northern part of town and is also on the Argyle Line.
Larkhall also has good bus services. Buses often go to nearby towns. These include Hamilton, Lanark, Motherwell, Stonehouse, Strathaven, and Wishaw.
Scotland's main motorway, the M74, runs along the eastern edge of Larkhall. Larkhall has two exits onto the motorway:
- Junction 7: This is for traffic going south only. It connects to the A72.
- Junction 8: This is for traffic going both north and south. It connects to the A71. This junction is often called Canderside Toll or The Toll by locals.
You can reach the center of Glasgow in about 20 minutes by car. Edinburgh is about 50 minutes away.
Where is Larkhall?
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Hamilton | Motherwell | Wishaw | |
| East Kilbride |  |
Carluke | ||
 Larkhall  |
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| Strathaven | Stonehouse | Lanark |
Sports in Larkhall
Larkhall has two Junior Football teams. These are Larkhall Thistle F.C. and Royal Albert F.C.. Royal Albert now plays in Stonehouse, a nearby village. Larkhall Thistle plays at Gasworks Park in Larkhall. Royal Albert used to be a full member of the Scottish Football League. Now, both teams play in the fourth tier of the West of Scotland Football League. Larkhall United Junior Football Club is also in the town.
The town also has its own 9-hole municipal Golf Course. It was started in 1909.
Athletics
Larkhall also has a Running & Athletics club called Larkhall YMCA Harriers. It was started in 1930. This makes it one of Scotland's oldest running clubs. The club is based in Larkhall. Over the years, its members have done very well in many competitions. They have competed at Scottish, British, and even International levels. This includes the Olympic Games.
The most famous member was David Gracie. He represented Team GB at the Helsinki Olympic Games. He competed in the 400 Hurdles race. The Harriers train at the Larkhall YMCA Hall and other local sports places. Their members come from Larkhall and nearby towns. The club colors are red and white. They wear red vests with two white stripes. Larkhall YMCA Harriers welcomes athletes from age 5 and older. They compete in Road Racing, Track & Field, and Cross Country events.
Famous People from Larkhall
Larkhall is the home of snooker player Graeme Dott. He won the 2006 World Snooker Championship. Other famous people who used to live here include footballers Paul McStay, Jim McLean, and his brother Tommy McLean. They came from Ashgill, a village near Larkhall. Actress Una McLean also lived here.
David Keir Gracie
David Keir Gracie (1927–2020) was an Olympian. He was a member of the Larkhall YMCA Harriers. David moved to Larkhall as a child in the 1930s. After leaving the Royal Marines in 1947, he joined the Harriers. There he found his love for athletics.
He competed in the men's 400 metres hurdles at the 1952 Summer Olympics. In 1953, he won the World University Games 400m Hurdles title in Germany. He also won silver medals in the 4x400m relay at the same event. David Gracie passed away in October 2020 at age 93.
The Black Lady of Larkhall
The Black Lady of Larkhall is a local ghost story. She was said to be an Indian servant. She worked for Captain Henry McNeil Hamilton. He was the last owner of Broomhill House. The Captain brought her to Larkhall after one of his many sea trips.
She was happy in her new life. But she did not know Scottish customs. This made her feel like an outsider. The Captain told her not to leave Broomhill House during the day. Soon, people did not see her at night either. The Captain said she had disappeared. But locals were suspicious.
It is said that she returned as a ghost. Her ghostly form appeared in the windows of Broomhill House. Later, she was seen in Morgan Glen. People say the Captain died too soon after this.
