Strathaven
From Free net encyclopedia
Strathaven (pronounced: Stra'ven, meaning: valley of the Avon) is a small town in South Lanarkshire, Scotland.
Location
The town is located on the edge of the valley of the Avon Water, around 9 miles from Hamilton, and 23 miles from Glasgow. The A71, which connects Edinburgh and Kilmarnock passes through the town. In the 2001 census the town had a population of 7, 875. Strathaven has one secondary school - Strathaven Academy - and three primary schools - Kirkland Park Primary, Wester Overton Primary, and St Patrick's Primary.
History
Strathaven has a long history as a market town. A Roman road passes close by, on the south side of the Avon Water, which led to the Roman fort at Loudoun Hill near Darvel. The origins of Strathaven Castle are obscure, but it is believed to have been built around 1350 by the Bairds, on a bend of the Powmillon Burn. Later the castle passed to the Sinclairs and then to the Earls of Douglas. After the suppression of the House of Douglas by James II in 1455, it passed to Sir Andrew Stewart, who later became Lord Avondale. In 1534 it passed to Sir James Hamilton of Finnart, who expanded the buildings. It changed hands one last time in 1611, when the castle was sold to James, 2nd Marquis of Hamilton. The last occupant was Duchess Anne of Hamilton (1632-1716), who supported the Covenanter cause. The castle was abandoned in 1717. A plaque outside the castle tells the following story:
- "According to tradition, the wife of a past lord so greatly displeased her husband that she was walled up alive in part of the Castle wall. Nothing is recorded of her crime, yet it is said that she was led into a small purpose-built niche, blessed by a priest, given some food and water, and then walled up forever. When a portion of the walls fell down in the middle of the 19th Century human bones were discovered, giving some credence to this story."
Strathaven became a Burgh of barony in 1450, and still retains its traditional character despite the growth of more modern housing satisfying the needs of commuters to Glasgow. The centre of the town is occupied by the market square, formerly a grassed common, and still known as Common Green, or just 'The Green'. Linking the town and the castle is the old 'Boo Backit Brig' ('bow-backed bridge'), a small arched bridge. The Old Parish Church, with its landmark spire, was built in 1772, and was patronised by the Dukes of Hamilton.
The town prospered in the 18th and 19th centuries as a weaving town, although there were many merchants living here too. The town was central to the Radical War of 1820, when James Wilson led a band of radicals on a march to Glasgow, to join a rumoured general uprising which never actually happened. Wilson was hanged for treason, and in 1846 a memorial was built in his honour in the town cemetery. The history of Strathaven is now documented in the town's John Hastie Museum.
Its most famous 'modern' resident was Sir Harry Lauder (1870-1950) whose mansion, Lauder Ha', or Hall, was just above the town on the road to Kilmarnock. Sir Harry spent the Second World War years there, and died in February 1950. The family retained the property until Death Duties of 65% forced a sale in the late 1960s. It remains a private residence.