Salsburgh

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Salsburgh is a small former coal mining village in North Lanarkshire, Scotland. It lies 5km northwest of Shotts, 7km southeast of Airdrie and south of the M8 motorway, at grid reference NS825625. Salsburgh is perhaps best known for the Kirk O' Shott's Church (affectionately known "The M8 Church") which sits on a hillock as visitors enter the village from the east on the B7066 Whitburn to Newhouse road. Salsburgh is also home to the BlackHill Transmitter, which towers along beside the Church.

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[edit] History

There has been a community in the area for over 600 years, although the present village dates back to 1729. At that time only a row of four houses existed, named "Muirhall, Girdhimstrait, Merchanthall and Craighead". Craighead was home to a Mr. Young and his wife Sally, and when Mr. Young sold some of his land to construct more houses it was decided that it would be named "Sallysburgh".

The population increased dramatically as more houses were built for the workers from the Shotts and Coltness ironworks, collieries and quarries. In the 20th century, these industries declined, and in 2006 a new housing estate was built on the former Craighead Farm ground called "Salsburgh Meadows".

[edit] Heritage Group "further historical information"

Salsburgh has a heritage group setup and on their website lists very useful information about the village's history, old images and more, Salsburgh Heritage Group.

[edit] Local Crime Rate Info

Salsburgh is proud to be known as the village with one of the lowest crime rates in the whole of North Lanarkshire.

[edit] Notable Natives

The village was home to athlete Nathanuel "Nat" Muir who, although he has moved on, still has family living there.

Salsburgh is also home to footballer Jamie Dolan who now resides in Bathgate, West Lothian.

[edit] Rejuvenation Projects

A sustainable charity called "Smarter Salsburgh" has been set up to rejuvenate some deprived areas of the village. The charity's projects include:

  • Creating the "Jubilee Garden" from the area next to the Community Centre.
  • Regenerating the "Riven Loch," a natural peat bog which has rare plant and wildlife.
  • Clearing the area which was former county yard.

Other rejuvination projects were started which were conducted by the local Community Council which seen Kate's Well get a much needed makeover among other things.

[edit] Community Council

Salsburgh has its own community council which deals with issues in the village. You can attend their meetings in the Community Centre on the FIRST Thursday of the month.(all welcome)

[edit] Tenants & Residents Association

The tenants and residents association deal with issues relating to housing and other matters to do with the village's best interests, You can attend the tenants & residents association meeting on the FIRST Tuesday of the month in the Community Centre TBC.(all welcome)

[edit] Smarter Salsburgh

Smarter Salsburgh is a recognised charity and applies for grants to improve the local surroundings, you can attend the meetings which are held on the FIRST Monday of the Month in the Community Centre.(all welcome)

[edit] Government

Salsburgh's councillors are Cllr. Robertson and Cllr. Kefferty and Cllr. McMillan from the Fortissat ward.

[edit] Christmas Lights

Christmas 2007 was the first time in the village's history that Christmas decorations were put up on the Main Street of Salsburgh. The lamp posts looked very pretty and finally made Salsburgh a part of the Christmas celebrations with all other local towns and villages in North Lanarkshire having decorations already erected years before. NLC have confirmed that the village will have decorations once again this year with more added this time round.

[edit] Salsburgh Scenic Moss Walkway

Smarter Salsburgh sought after grants to create a walkway which would highlight the scenery and the exitance of the natural peat bogs to the rear of Carvale Avenue. The walkway runs the full length of the village from Salsburgh Meadows to the park at the bottom of Blackcroft Terrace and KirkView Avenue.

[edit] Scottish Water Authority Land

Smarter Salsburgh, Salsburgh Community Council, and Salsburgh Tenants and Residents Association are attempting to team up in order to purchase derelict land at the area to the rear of the cenotaph (Glen Brae, Main Street), as well as the former water board land also on Main Street. By purchasing this land, they hope to create an extension to the existing walkway to link other parts of Salsburgh and make a continuous link around the village.

[edit] Old County Yard April 2008 UPDATE

The land cleared by Smarter Salsburgh at the old county yard (the land leading to Kirk O' Shott's Primary) is being developed for use as a car park and turnaround point for people picking up their children at the school, making that area at the school much safer.

[edit] Salsburgh Videos

Video created from pictures taken by B.McLaughlin of the Salsburgh Scenic Walkway

[edit] References

[edit] External links