About Stonehouse

Feb 19 2008 By Carla Callaghan

Located on the River Avon, Stonehouse is a charming rural village with a fascinating history.

One of the smallest towns to make up Lanarkshire, Stonehouse hosts traditional events such as an annual Gala Day and Agricultural Show which have proved to be extremely popular. 

Stonehouse is a haven of historical interest with the double dykes descending from the remains of a Roman Fort, although it may be possible that the Fort may even be older, dating back to the Iron Age. Ancient monuments and gravestones occupy the prehistoric site of the Old Kirkyard with the oldest resting place dating back to the 16th century.

The once rural village was home to a large weaving community mostly specialising in silk. The last operational loom in Stonehouse belonged to Robert and James Hamilton. The loom ceased manufacturing in 1959.

The silk loom belonging to the Hamilton Brothers is now on display at the Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh.

Many of the one-storey cottages inhabited by the town’s weavers are still present in Stonehouse today.

Leisure wise, Stonehouse boasts many facilities such as The Alexander Hamilton Memorial Park, along with bandstand and fountain, which was presented to the village by Alexander Hamilton in May 1925.

The village was also home to Scotland’s longest chute for over three decades but was later removed for safety reasons.

The park has a floodlit athletics track, football pitch, multi-surface play area as well as woodland walks and play areas.

The village has two schools, Stonehouse Primary School and Newfield Primary School with local secondary schools, Larkhall and Strathaven Academy.