Rutherglen

Rutherglen (Royal Burgh of Rutherglen) is a picturesque town on the edge of Glasgow. Located in a scenic valley, Rutherglen takes its name from the Scots "oor ither glen", meaning 'the other valley'. This refers to Toryglen which borders Rutherglen but is now located inside the Glasgow city boundary. 'Tory' in this context refers to the name of marauding outlaws and bandits common in the 10th-12th centuries in both Scotland and Ireland. When Rutherglen was given its royal charter by King David I in the early 12th century it would appear the local grandees wanted to set themselves apart from lawlessness they saw nearby.

Rutherglen existed as a separate entity until 1975 when it was incorporated into the then expanding City of Glasgow. It was transferred to the more rural South Lanarkshire in 1996.

History

Rutherglen's historic industries were fruit farming and flower growing, but its location close to the navigable River Clyde meant shipbuilding was always practised locally, at first for transport and pleasure, but later on an industrial scale. Local employment is largely provided by the Local Authority and the King Corporation PLC which recently opened an office on the north side of Main Street next to the criminal court.

Local Attractions

Local Attractions include the nearby Museum of Scottish Football at Hampden Park and the ruin of St. Mary's Parish Church around which the ancient Burgh was formed.

Famous Rutherglen residents

• Magnus Magnusson and his daughter Sally (TV presenters)
• Andrew (Andy) Cameron (erstwhile singer and Tartan Army terrorist)
• Tom McGrath (playwright)
• Midge Ure (musician)
• Alistair Maclean (novelist)