Larkhall lies on the edge of the scenic Clyde Valley between the River Clyde and the Avon Water. It is located 14 miles south east of Glasgow. The town was built around mining, weaving and textiles, similarly to surrounding towns and has close links to nearby Hamilton.
Quick facts about Larkhall:
Region: South Lanarkshire
Train Station: Larkhall, Merryton
Best for: family friendly, historical
Travelling to Larkhall:
Larkhall train stations, Merryton train station, local busses and easily accessed from M74.
Places in Larkhall:
Larkhall Circuit, the longest outdoor karting track in Scotland
Nearby is Chatelherault Country Park, a short 5 minute drive from Larkhall.
History of Larkhall:
Larkhall's name is thought to have grown from the Gaelic "Laverockha" meaning "lark on the hill." The area was known as Machanshire and later Dalserf, in the early 14th century and Larkhall wasn't in common usage until the 1900's.
In the past the main industry in Larkhall was weaving, during the 17th and 18th centuries, the old part of the town features original weavers' cottages. The Morgan glen viaduct is an attractive local feature, once the highest railway viaduct in Scotland was closed in 1965.
There are several small villages surrounding Larkhall, including Netherburn, Ashgill and Dalserf. The Old Parish Church in Dalserf was erected in 1655 and was renovated in the 1970s. Netherburn is a lively and close-knit community near to Larkhall and down the Avon Gorge from Larkhall is Millheugh.
Millheugh was once a popular site for fruit growing, especially crops such as apples, pears and plums. The area also boasts its own ghost, the Black Lady who is said to haunt the Applebank Inn.
