Baldernock

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Baldernock is a small parish in East Dunbartonshire, Scotland, a 10 miles to the north of Glasgow's city centre.

[edit] Geography

The parish is approximately 12 square miles, bounded by the Campsie Fells to the north and east, the River Allander and River Kelvin to the south, and the Pow Burn to the west. It is centred around Baldernock Parish Church, which is under the jurisdiction of the Presbytery of Dumbarton. However, it also encompasses the hamlets of Baldernock, Bardowie, Barnellan, Balmore, and Barraston. Other landmarks include Bardowie Loch and Bardowie Castle.

[edit] History

In 1200, Baldernock was called Bathernock or Buthirnok. By the early 18th century, it was known as Badernock. There had been a church on the present-day site for at least a century and a half. Certainly, the oldest gravestone is from 1644, and the oldest gravestone that can be deciphered is from 1665. However, by the late 18th century, the church was in severe disrepair. Thus, in 1795, a new 406-person church was built, incorporating some of the stonework of the previous church. Later, a vestry projection was added to the north side. In 1905, a railway station, called Bardowie Station, was opened, and a housing development of 500 houses was planned. However, less than 10 were actually built, and in 1951, the station was closed.

The history of Baldernock was documented in The Story of Baldernock by Elizabeth Robertson and Willie Ure (1991, published by East Dunbartonshire District Libraries).