Carluke

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Carluke
Scottish Gaelic: Cathair MoLuaig
Carluke (Scotland)
Carluke

Carluke shown within Scotland
Population 13,454 (2001 Census)
Council area South Lanarkshire
Lieutenancy area Lanarkshire
Constituent country Scotland
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town CARLUKE
Postcode district ML8
Dialling code 01555
Police Strathclyde
Fire Strathclyde
Ambulance Scottish
European Parliament Scotland
UK Parliament Lanark and Hamilton East
Scottish Parliament Clydesdale
List of places: UKScotland

Coordinates: 55°44′01″N 3°50′03″W / 55.73369, -3.83427

The town of Carluke (Gaelic: Cathair MoLuaig) lies in the heart of the Scottish countryside in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, 5.4 miles northwest 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 its 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, at restricted times to the general public through the High Street.

The town currently has five primary schools, Carluke Primary, High Mill Primary, Kirkton Primary, Crawforddyke Primary and St Athanasius Primary, all of which are in the process of being rebuilt or refurbished. Carluke High School has just been rebuilt on its current site. In addition Carluke is home to a State Funded Special School, Victoria Park The school serves the whole of South Lanarkshire Council and provides education for primary and secondary pupils aged 3 to 18 with special educational needs.

The Town also has its own rugby league side, the Carluke Tigers.

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. Also in Carluke for over 150 years Ramsay of Carluke have been producing quality bacon and are one of Rick Stein's food heroes. The inventor of Slush Puppies previously stayed on West Avenue. The famous ex-Motherwell striker Dougie Arnott currently resides in Carluke.

[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, especially for the young. This site, billing Carluke as a large tourist spot, capitalises on that perception.

[edit] References