History (original) (raw)
Battle of Hieton: This was fought in the year 1650 on the banks of the Cadzow Burn where the Cadzow Bridge now stands. A garrison of Oliver Cromwell’s English Army defeated a group of Covenanters who fought for certain religious freedoms. Hieton is a Scots word meaning High Town as at the time this was the upper part of Hamilton. A plaque commemorating battle can be found on the road level of bridge.
The Cadzow Bridge itself was built by famous engineer Thomas Telford in 1819. Images below show construction of bridge over Cadzow Burn. Trams used to run on road.
The final picture above is a view of waterfall from the bridge in 1904. In an article of the time the following description was given which today sounds like a top Trip Advisor review! “We doubt if there is in all broad Scotland a sight so pleasing and charming to the eye which forms the subject of the present illustration. Visitors to the town have been known….to gaze enraptured at the woodland scene. The natural waterfall has frequently induced impressionable persons to soar to Parnessian heights.”
Common Green area
This part of glen was donated to the town by Duchess of Hamilton in the 18th century. It was used as washing and drying area for laundry. At the end of glen is Low Parks Museum which was once the Estate offices and stables for the now demolished Hamilton Palace. The building was house for David Crawford, Secretary to Duchess Anne and Duke William. It was constructed in 1696. The Cadzow Burn ran past the former 17th century Tollbooth and Old Town Jail (roundabout next to museum). A brewery, tannery and meat market were also situated on current site of flats and Cadzow Business Park. Water was supplied to Tannery by a dam and channel running from the waterfall further along glen.
Below: Low Parks Museum and Old Tollbooth/Tannery. Remaining images Common Green through the years up to 1970s.
Townhouse
This is a Grade A listed Edwarian era building. It includes a library which was gifted in 1907 by the Scottish Industrialist and Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The Townhouse is also an arts venue with large theatre space and Registry office where weddings are regularly held. There is a ‘Carnegie Room’ which has more information on local history. Building contains a sculpture of poet Robert Burns and some excellent stained glass windows.
Images below include plaque marking library opening and a royal visit. Group photo shows Army pay corps from World War One sitting on outside stairs leading down to glen.
Keith’s Building
This is the red sandstone building at other side of bridge from Townhouse. It is also A listed. It was built in 1903 and named after well respected Provost Keith. It served as a wine merchants and also whisky bond. Image below shows an advert for Keith’s Cadzow Blend whisky. Unfortunately in recent years the building has lain empty. However, it has been sold and hopefully shall be developed for residential/office use.
Old Parish Church
The clock tower can usually be seen through the trees up slope of glen to south of Cadzow Bridge. Church bell marks each hour of the day. Site may be visited from glen by leaving through east entrance gates and walking up Church Street. The building was designed by William Adam and opened in 1734.
Images below: The Netherton cross is historic Christian structure dating from late 10th or early 11th century. A Covenanters memorial is in grounds of church. Four Covenanters were executed in Edinburgh during 1666 and their heads lie buried here. Final image is headstone marking mass grave of over 60 people following Cholera epidemic in 1832. This is in grounds of Bowling Club next to church.
Other buildings
Below left: Scullion Law offices on Cadzow Bridge. Centre: At Union Street End of glen this building is now flats but was previously Co-operative bakery and dairy. Right: Hamilton Grammar School overlooks southern part of glen which is currently not accessible to public.
Historic photos courtesy of South Lanarkshire Museums Collection and copyright South Lanarkshire Council.
Please visit Low Parks Museum at end of Glen for further information about local history of Hamilton area. Details can be found by clicking link below.