Rutherglen, my Home Town.

'Out of Smoke comes Fame.'

Rutherglen Town Hall

Born and raised in Rutherglen, where "Ru'glens wee rid lums reek briskly" perhaps doesn't still apply today, I'm proud to be a Ruglonian and proud of the history, industry and heritage Rutherglen has given to the world.

Rutherglen received the title of Royal Burgh in 1126 by Royal Charter from King David I of Scotland who ruled from 1124 - 1153, and was an important center for trading long before Glasgow. History relays the story of the betrayal of William Wallace here by Sir John Mentieth who plotted against him. The Scottish Parliament also met here in 1300. In the 19th century Rutherglen was widely known for the many horse fairs which were held regularly in the town, hence the reason for the extremely wide pavements and main street, still existing today. In 1679, the Covenanters, a group of Presbyterians bound by oath to sustain each other in the defense of their religion, signed the "Rutherglen Declaration" to support the Protestant effort to seize power in Scotland, and  around 1500 of them marched to engage the Government Dragoons at Drumclog. The Covenanters outnumbered the Government troops by about 10 - 1, and duly routed them in the Battle of Drumclog. Their victory was short lived however, as civil war loomed the Government troops rallied and  slaughtered them shortly after at the Battle of Bothwell Bridge. Around 600 Covenanters were killed with the remainder taken capture, imprisoned  and subsequently deported to the America's. 

Among the many industries located in the Burgh were mining, weaving, paper manufacture and shipbuilding. Latterly, chemicals were produced at Whites Chemical works, where many hundreds of people were employed, however, many years after the works closed, the legacy of poor waste management proved an environmental disaster for the Town and surrounding areas with the uncovering of chromium and other toxic materials which has had a very serious affect on present and past generations, with leukemia and other related cancers being a legacy to former employees and residents alike.

Doctor Gorman (surgeon), Alistair McLean (author), Stan Laurel (actor), Robbie Coltrane (actor) Mark McManus (actor), Blythe Duff (actress), Janet Brown (comedienne), Andy Cameron (comedian), Bobby Murdoch (Celtic), Frank McGarvey (Celtic), Jim McInally (Celtic) Harry Hood (Celtic), Colin Jackson (Rangers), Ian Porteous (Aberdeen), Alan McGraw (Morton), Jim Cruikshank (Hearts), Harry Haddock (Clyde) all Footballers, Dougie Thomson (musician), Bill Tennent (TV presenter), Dougie Donnelly (TV presenter), Magnus Magnusson (TV presenter & writer).

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Probably unconnected to the days when Rutherglen also had a fishing connection, or a throw back to the days of heavy shipbuilding in the Burgh; Rutherglen Cruising Club exists today at the end of Quay Road, where its members enjoy 'The right to passage, without hindrance, down the River Clyde to the sea and back.' as bestowed by King David in his Royal Charter. Perhaps not the grandest Marina in the Country, more a collection of crafts of all shapes and sizes in various stages of construction, repair and renovation, but a part of Rutherglens unique heritage all the same.

Saint Columbkilles

Stonelaw Parish Church

Rutherglen Baptist

Rutherglen Old Parish

Rutherglen United Reformed

Burnside Church