Shotts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shotts |
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 Metalworker statue in town centre. |
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 Shotts
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| Population | 8,630 (2020) |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Shotts |
| Postcode district | ML7 |
| Dialling code | 01501 |
| Police | Strathclyde |
| Fire | Strathclyde |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament |
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Shotts is a small town in North Lanarkshire, Scotland. It is located almost halfway between two big cities: Glasgow, which is about 27 kilometers away, and Edinburgh, which is about 42 kilometers away. Around 8,840 people live in Shotts.
Some people say Shotts got its name from a legendary giant highwayman named Bertram de Shotts. However, experts who study place names believe the name comes from an old Anglo-Saxon word, scēots, which means "steep slopes." Shotts is also famous for being the home of the Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band. This amazing band has won the World Pipe Band Championships 16 times!
Contents
History of Industries in Shotts
For a long time, Shotts was known for its busy mines and ironworks. These industries gave many people jobs in the town and the areas nearby.
The Shotts Iron Company
The Shotts Iron Company started way back in 1801. It was a very important place for 150 years, making things from iron. The company closed down in 1952. These ironworks grew a lot when canals and railways made it easier to transport goods. By the late 1800s, the ironworks were so big that Shotts had a special saying: "Shotts lights the world." This was because they made gas lamp standards that were sent all over the British Empire and even further!
Coal Mining in Shotts
Before World War II, there were 22 coal mines in the Shotts area. Coal mining was a huge part of the town's life. However, the last of these mines, Northfield Colliery, closed in the 1960s.
Cummins Engine Company
In 1956, a company called Cummins Engine Company Ltd opened a factory in Shotts. This factory was their first one outside of the United States. They made fast diesel engines and a new type of engine used in railway passenger trains. The factory was expanded in 1980 with a very unique design. Experts say it was one of the most important industrial buildings in Britain from that time. Sadly, the factory closed in 1996, and about 700 people lost their jobs.
Timpo Toys Factory
Between 1964 and 1980, a company called Timpo Toys had a factory in Shotts. They employed about a thousand people to make plastic toys and figures. These toys included cowboys, Native Americans, and soldiers. The factory closed in 1980.
Food Companies in Shotts
Shotts has also been home to some large food producers over the years.
Camp Brothers Ice Cream
Camp Brothers started in 1897 when Pietro Campopiano moved to Shotts from Italy. He opened a cafe, and his family business grew to become one of the biggest independent ice cream makers in Scotland. Five generations of the family ran the company until 2003.
Bell's Food Group
In the 1930s, the Bell family started a bakery in Shotts. They became very well known for their delicious pies, bridies, and sausage rolls. They even bought another company that made gingerbread. Today, Bell's products are sold in most supermarkets, and they are said to make 16 million pies every year!
Davidsons Animal Feeds
Davidsons Animal Feeds is run by the Davidson brothers. They have been making food for cows and sheep since the 1980s. They claim to be the largest maker of animal feed in Scotland.
Geography of Shotts
Shotts is located south of the M8 motorway in North Lanarkshire. It sits between the towns of Wishaw and Harthill. Historically, the Shotts Iron Works were located between Calderhead and Stane.
The parish of Shotts was originally made up of five smaller villages: Dykehead, Calderside, Stane, Springhill, and Torbothie. These villages grew and merged together in the 18th and 19th centuries. This happened as mining became more popular and more people moved to the area.
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Salsburgh, Airdrie | Falkirk | Livingston, Bathgate | |
| Glasgow, Motherwell |  |
Fauldhouse | ||
 'Shotts'  |
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| Wishaw | Lanark | Forth |
Churches in Shotts
Shotts has several churches for different faiths:
- Calderhead-Erskine Parish Church (Church of Scotland)
- St Patricks Catholic Church
- Shotts EU Congregational Church
- Shotts Salvation Army
- Dykehead Mission Hall
- Kingdom Hall Of Jehovah's Witnesses
A few miles north of Shotts is the Kirk O'Shotts Parish Church. This church serves communities like Salsburgh and other nearby areas.
Sports in Shotts
Shotts offers several sports activities for the local community. Shotts Golf Club has an 18-hole course and was started in 1895. It is located to the north-east of the town. From 1950 to 2022, Shotts also hosted its own Highland Games in Hannah Park.
Football Teams in Shotts
- Shotts Bon Accord
- Dykehead F.C.
Famous Footballers from Shotts
Many talented footballers have come from Shotts, including:
- Michelle Barr, who played for the Scotland women's national team.
- Hugh Dallas and Jim McCluskey, both well-known football referees.
- Willie McSeveney, a famous footballer and captain of Motherwell Football Club.
HMP Shotts Prison
HMP Shotts is a high-security prison for male prisoners. It is located between Shotts and Salsburgh. The prison opened in 1978 and provided new jobs for the area after the coal mines closed.
Transport in Shotts
The town has its own train station, Shotts railway station. It is part of the Shotts Line, which connects Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Schools in Shotts
- St. Patrick's Primary School
- Stane Primary School
- Dykehead Primary School
- Calderhead High School
Theatre in Shotts
The Henderson Theatre is a theatre with 147 seats. It was built in 1982 inside the Shotts Community Education Centre. The theatre is named after Archibald James Henderson. He was a coal miner who loved drama and helped start many local drama groups.
Music in Shotts
Shotts is known for its music, especially:
- Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band, a world-famous pipe band.
- The band Octopus (Scottish band).
Notable People from Shotts
Many interesting people have come from Shotts, including:
- Mick McGahey, a leader for Scottish miners.
- Gavin Hamilton, a famous painter.
- John Millar, a philosopher.
- Margaret Herbison, who was a government minister from 1964 to 1967.
- Andrew Keir, an actor.
- Catriona Shearer, a newsreader and TV presenter.
- Jim Rodger, a well-known football journalist.
- Janet Hamilton, a Scottish poet from the 1800s.
- Allan Lindsay, an athlete who competed in the 1948 Olympics.
- William Chambers, a milliner (hat maker).
- Bertram de Shotts, the legendary highwayman.
See also
In Spanish: Shotts para niños
