Strathaven, Scotland – Rich in Scottish History
Include Strathaven Castle, Lanarkshire in a Scotland Tour
May 10, 2009
Most tourists visiting Scotland head for the big cities or the Highlands. There are many small towns that are quintessentially Scottish and deserve a visit. Strathaven, in Lanarkshire, is one of the most worthy and most accessible.
Why Strathaven is a Tourist Must
Strathaven (pronounced Stray –ven) achieves two widely disparate things: it is a working town, with real people going about their business, yet is so neat, quaint and well-preserved that it looks like one of those model towns whose only source of income is the tourist dollar.
Hedges and lawns are trim, most buildings look as if they’ve been freshly painted and there is an overall sense of tidiness and orderliness that is rare in communities. Architectural styles vary widely, but most buildings are over 100 years old, and many much older. To stroll through the commercial centre is like stepping back in time.
Many of the residential streets are quite beautiful, with elegant homes, both modest and grand, pretty gardens, and green grassy banks and lawns. In some streets, houses have the privacy of chest-high stone walls; in others, the front doors open direct onto the footpath, without even a front step. Streets are often narrow and crooked or curved, which adds charm.
Parks and Gardens in Strathaven
A small, brisk rivulet, the Powmillon burn, runs through the town and this is lined with stone walls in some places so that it resembles a canal. Parks run down to the water.
The George Allen Park is a large recreational area that has a bowling green, putting green and tennis courts, as well as a small lake where kids can hire canoes or paddle boats. On weekends, it is possible the visitor will see the local model boat club sailing their models or the local model railway enthusiasts offering rides behind a true miniature steam locomotive about the size of a pedal car.
The John Hastie Park is next to George Allen Park and is used as playing fields.
Alison Green was the traditional drying green and steps lead to the burn where washing was done. The park makes a good picnic spot, as there are public toilets situated here.
John Hastie Museum in Strathaven
This small local history museum is well presented, interesting and free. It is based on a small collection given by 19th century businessman and benefactor, John Hastie. Sadly, the basis of his own collection, a wide assortment of guns, can no longer legally be displayed. However, the museum has an excellent presentation on the Battle of Drumclog and a few relevant artifacts such as swords and banners.
As the world-famous Scottish comedian and singer, Sir Harry Lauder retired to Strathaven, the museum has a small Lauder display which includes several of the hats and other stage props that Lauder used for his comic songs.
The Strathaven Castle
This ruined castle is still quite impressive and is right in the centre of town in a delightful setting just across the pretty stone Boo Backit Brig (bow-backed bridge). A solid wooden pathway has been built along the bubbling burn and this is the most beautiful scenic walk under huge overhanging mossy trees, with the stark remains of the castle on the hill above.
According to information offered on site, the present castle was built in 1458 by the first Lord Avondale, to replace a castle destroyed by James II when he was dealing with the “Black” Douglas clan, who were based in Lanarkshire. The castle passed into possession of the Hamilton family and fell into disrepair after the death of Anne, Third Duchess of Hamilton in 1716.
How to Get to Strathaven
Strathaven is on the A71, 43 miles from Edinburgh. For travelers relying on public transport, nearest trains are to Hamilton or East Kilbride, where local buses rule. An express coach runs from Glasgow. Inexpensive regional buses, taking approximately a half hour, run from East Kilbride every hour.
There are some great little pubs such as the Drumclog Inn, established in 1845, and the Castle Tavern, established in 1820 in which to while away an hour, and tea shops such as the Taylor’s Waterside bakery, who proudly proclaim they have been artisan bakers since 1820. The tourist who wants a taste of rural Scotland will not be disappointed by this pretty, historic township or by the winding lanes and rolling green hills that lead to it.
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