Scottish Towns-Cities. Bothwell.

An ancient settlement which was once primarily a mining village, and earlier the site of the Battle of Bothwell Bridge in 1679, Bothwell is an affluent commuter town that has attracted a number of local celebrities including several professional footballers. Owing to a steady rise in property prices, Bothwell is one of Glasgow’s most prosperous satellites. In 2019, “Earls Gate” which overlooks Bothwell Castle was named Greater Glasgow’s most expensive street, with an average price tag of £1,125,000. In 2021 Earls Gate was again named the City’s most expensive street; according to the report this extends to the entire West of Scotland.

The houses surrounding the Main Street are of older sandstone Victorian style whereas the newer part of the Bothwell consists of estates built in close proximity to Bothwell Castle and intertwined with Bothwell Castle Golf club. The new houses have significantly increased the population. According to the recent census report 2011, Bothwell has a population of c. 6000, with the local council ward in combination with Uddingston established a year earlier. The majority of Bothwell’s residents own their own property, and household incomes are likely to exceed the national average.

Facilities

Until 1955 Bothwell had a station on the North British Railway. These are the remains in 1961
Bothwell has two primary schools (the rebuilt Bothwell PS and St Bride’s RC PS), a library and a bowling club. There are several small shops and businesses in the town’s Main Street, along with a handful of pubs and restaurants. The Bothwell area has many walkways, nature trails, woodlands and greenery. A footbridge links with Blantyre on the opposite bank of the river, and leads directly to the David Livingstone Centre.

The parish church (which was restored at the end of the 19th century) contains the choir of the old Gothic church of 1398. A memorial honours the poet Joanna Baillie (1762–1851) who was born in the manse.