About Hamilton

Feb 19 2008 By John Hutcheson

Hamilton’s history begins in the 12th century when King David I made Cadzow - meaning ‘beautiful castle’ - a Royal Barony.

Later King Robert the Bruce gave the Barony to Walter Fitzgilbert of ‘Hameldon' , whose descendant , James Hamilton, became the 1st Lord Hamilton. The name of the family manor in Cadzow was changed to 'Hamilton' by Royal Charter in 1445 and the name Cadzow gradually fell out of favour, to be replaced by Hamilton.

The Hamilton family constructed many landmark buildings in the area, including one of the largest non-Royal residences in the Western World - Hamilton Palace. Built in 1695, it once contained one of the country's greatest private art collections, but was demolished in 1921 and is today the site of a retail park and sports centre.

The Hamiltons are also responsible for the famous Mausoleum in Strathclyde Park, built in the 1850s, which still stands and is said to have the longest echo of any building in the world.

Hamilton developed as an industrial centre in the 19th century with the creation of a series of collieries and became a major centre of business.

Although not the largest town in Lanarkshire, with a population of 48,220, it is now the administrative centre for South Lanarkshire, and has attracted numerous multi-national companies to the area in locations such as Hamilton International Technology Park.

Recreationally, Hamilton is privileged to have two of the finest parks in the Lanarkshire, Chatelherault Country Park and Strathclyde Country Park.

Chatelherault, which took its name from the French town of Châtellerault, the title Duc de Châtellerault being held by the Duke of Hamilton, was the former hunting lodge of the now demolished Hamilton Palace.

Strathclyde Country Park was created on part of what was once the Low Parks of Hamilton Palace. Now a major tourist attraction, the park offers many amenities and attractions such as woodland walks, watersports, and a camping and caravanning, as well as a theme park.