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A brief history of Strathaven

by Harris Douglas 7 Apr 2010

The market town of Strathaven has a long and distinguished history in Surrounded by farmland, the town has always had a strong connection to the farming community, and is today a popular commuter town while retaining its strong local character. Here are just a few key dates in the history of the town.

1362 -Barony of Strathaven acquired by Archibald the Grim, Lord of Galloway

1450 - Strathaven becomes Free Burgh in Barony

1679 - Battle of Drumclog, 1st June

1772 - Avendale Old Parish Church built.

1820 - James Wilson leads radical rising

1905 - First Strathaven Academy opened, as a merger between the two primary schools in the town, Crosshill and Ballgreen

1908 - Strathaven Golf Club founded

1964 - Strathaven Central railway station closed

1968 - Strathaven Dynamo founded

1974 - Ruth Aiton is Strathaven's first Gala Queen

1984 - Strathaven Rugby Club founded 

2002 - Strathaven became Scotland's first Fairtrade town

Now it's your turn!

That's the briefest of brief summaries, and hardly covers the most important dates. But this is where you come in. There's lots of interest in local history and lots of local knowledge out there - so why not share it here? To add to the time-line, all you have to do is click on the edit button.

Or perhaps you'd like to start your own article about another aspect of Strathaven history? You can do that, too.There must also be a wealth of wonderful photographs of old Strathaven - maybe even some video of more recent events - and those are more than welcome here.

Post it all here, and let's see if we can really chronicle the history of Strathaven in a way we can all share!


Add a comment

21 Oct 2008 | 12:48:33

Bob Currie says

Hi There! Now that you have read the history why not view it on my Strathaven website or, better still, purchase my new photo DVD containing 585 images of Strathaven past and present at a cost of only £10. To order your copy now simply telephone me at (01357) 522394).

28 Oct 2008 | 6:23:51

Greg Scott says

For more info on Strathaven. particuarly the Castle, please visit my website . Please leave a comment, and if you require any further information, please leave a message (there is a message board). Thanks

29 Oct 2008 | 11:11:26

Bob Currie says

Greg I enjoyed your website. I expect you know about mine.

31 Oct 2008 | 12:07:26

Bob Currie says

Remembering Strathaven's war dead - their names inscribed forever.

5 Jan 2009 | 6:55:51

Bob Currie says

Most of the dates and much of the history is there to be viewed on Bob Currie's new dvd Strathaven Past and Present 585 images with musical accompaniment on sale now from Craig's Newsagents, Commongreen, The Computer Shop, Strathaven Echoes and Strathaven District Library.

If you are trul interested in Strathaven and its history then buy now while stocks last.

Meantime, you can access the history of Strathaven by logging on to Bob's website: www.geocities.com/currie62002

26 Feb 2009 | 11:30:14

Bob Currie says

Can any viewer name this unidentified employee of Frew's Factory in the 1930s pictured beside the gas turbine within the factory?

26 Feb 2009 | 11:37:41

Bob Currie says

Here is yet another of the maintenance men of the gas turbine that powered Frew's factory in Strathaven. Can anyone name him?

28 Feb 2009 | 11:10:06

Bob Currie says

Here is a picture of Strathaven Cadets Pipe Band pictured in the mid 1940s. I expect others viewing this picture will be able to identify who's who?

18 Mar 2009 | 9:50:42

ian leggate says

re pipe band photo---i am sure my dad is the one on the 2nd row, 3rd in from left, robert leggate. (joiner with flemings, drummer) is there any chance i could purchase a copy of picture? Ian Leggate, Darvel. ian2l@aol.com

18 Mar 2009 | 6:34:03

Bob Currie says

Hi Ian,

Yes you can purchase a copy ready mounted for framing at the modest cost of only £4 by mailing your order to robert.currie3@btopenworld.com. I will hand deliver to your address in Darvel.

Bob

4 May 2009 | 12:18:03

Alice McLure says

Hi Bob, Alice McLure(McMillan) here. Enjoyed your DVD - sent to me by my cousin Grace (Law). Tell Marie I liked the picture of her in the Common Green - I can remember her walk so well! Am looking for info on all kinds of things about Strav'en. Have posted a query about the Tolll House and wondered also if you know of any texts about the local weaving and farming industries? Hope you're all well. alice

9 May 2009 | 11:39:40

Bob Currie says

Hi There Alice - What a pleasant surprise to hear from you. Marie sends her kind regards.

If you e-mail me direct to robert.currie3@btopenworld.com we can discuss 'on-line' as it were the points you raise about the Toll House (a subject which came up only the other day when the person who lives in that particular house was telling us of that part of its history.

We can also discuss the point you raise about texts on local weaving and farming industries. I am so glad you enjoyed the DVD. It so happens that the 'Scots Magazine' published a short review in its April issue under the heading 'Around Scotland' in which, among other things, they said Strathaven was currently the focus of a new DVD which they concluded "was a must for locals and visitors alike."

How is your brother these days. Does he continue to reside in the UK Marie typed his thesis when he was an undergraduate. Speaking of which I graduated BA (Hons) Humanities with Religious Studies with the Open University two years ago. I continued with Classical Studies but have put the books away for the present at least. Look forward to hearing from you.

Yours aye!

Bob and Marie

9 May 2009 | 12:01:49

Bob Currie says

Take a close look at this picture. Can you name a brownie? C'mon somebody out there must know at least one or more of these fresh faced kids.

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