Carluke

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Carluke
Cathair MoLuaig

Coordinates: 55.441° N 3.5011° W

Carluke (Scotland     )
Carluke
Population 13,454 (2001 Census)
Constituent country Scotland
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Ambulance Scotland
European Parliament Scotland

The town of Carluke (Gaelic: Cathair MoLuaig) lies in the heart of the Scottish countryside in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, 5.4 miles North-West of Lanark and 5 miles South-East of Wishaw. Carluke is largely a commuting town, with a variety of small stores and supermarkets available at it's centre.

Contents

[edit] History

In a charter by Robert I, dated 1315, Carluke is written "Carneluk"; at different periods it appears as Carlowck, Carlowk, Carluk, Carlook, Carlouk and Carluke. Car or Caer tells us that it is a height or strong position and Luke suggests that it may be dedicated to the saint of that name, however there is evidence that the earliest church was dedicated to St. Andrew.

The town was chartered as a Royal Burgh in 1662[1]. Carluke expanded during through the industrial age, with work involving corn milling, cotton weaving, coal mining and the manufacture of bricks, glass, confectionery and jam.

[edit] Present

After years of pedestrianisation, Carluke town centre and High Street has been subject to a £2.35million redevelopment project[2]. Traffic is now allowed, albeit in one direction, through the High Street.

The town currently has 5 primary schools, Carluke Primary, High Mill Primary, Kirkton Primary, Crawfordyke Primary and St Athanasius Primary, all of which are in the process of being rebuilt or refurbished. Carluke High School is also being rebuilt, on its current site, ready for opening in 2007.

Carluke High School currently shares some facilities with Carluke Leisure Centre, and will continue to do so when the new school building is complete.

The town has regular direct train links to Glasgow (via Motherwell), Lanark, and North Berwick (via Haymarket).

[edit] Notable Figures

The town has the distinction of being home to three gallant recipients of the Victoria Cross, and is the birthplace of General William Roy. Carluke was also famous for being the home of Scott's jam, which was recently downsized, and subsequently bought over.

[edit] Local Villages

[edit] External links

[edit] Satire

Like many small towns in the area, Carluke attracts criticism from those who view the area as devoid of facilities. This site, billing Carluke as a large tourist spot, capitalises on that perception.

[edit] References

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