Lesmahagow
Template:Lead too short Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox UK place
Lesmahagow (Template:IPAc-en {{#if:Lesmahagow.ogg|{{#ifexist:Media:Lesmahagow.ogg|<phonos file="Lesmahagow.ogg">listen</phonos>|{{errorTemplate:Main other|Audio file "Lesmahagow.ogg" not found}}Template:Category handler}}}}; Template:Langx<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> or Lesmahagae,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Template:Langx) is a small town in the historic county of Lanarkshire on the edge of moorland, near Lanark in the central belt of Scotland. Lesmahagow was also a civil parish.<ref>The Imperial gazetteer of Scotland. 1854. Vol.II (GORDON-ZETLAND) by Rev. John Marius Wilson. pp.324–325 https://archive.org/stream/imperialgazettee02wilsuoft#page/324/mode/2up</ref> It lies west of the M74, and southeast of Kirkmuirhill. It is also known as Abbey Green or the Gow.
EtymologyEdit
The name means "Enclosure (meaning a walled area, like a monastery or fort) of St Machutus". The saint was born in Wales and may originally have been known as "Mahagw" prior to emigrating to Brittany where he became known by the Latinised form of the name and also as "St Malo". It is also possible that the first syllable may mean "garden" rather than "monastery", although Mac an Tailleir (2003) believes the former was altered from the latter in Gaelic.<ref>"Chapter 1 – Derivation of Name.." Template:Webarchive lesmahagow.com. Retrieved 14 February 2008.</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
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ReligionEdit
The town has three Christian congregations, namely Lesmahagow Old Parish Church of the Church of Scotland and Abbeygreen Church of the Free Church of Scotland and an Evangelical congregation, (the Hope Hall) on the main street. Roman Catholic residents are served by Our Lady and St John's in the neighbouring village of Blackwood, Template:Convert away.
Lesmahagow Priory, founded by Benedictine monks in 1144, no longer stands but its foundations were excavated in 1978 and are located next to the Old Parish Church off Church Square.Template:Citation needed
Highland GamesEdit
The Highland Games are held annually in June with Pipe Bands competing in Grades 1 through 4. There are also events for Highland dancing, weight over the bar, tossing the caber and archery. The first Highland Games was held in 1960 as a result of a collaboration between Lesmahagow F.C. and the now defunct Vale of Nethan Pipe Band. Originally held in Craighead Park, it is now held in the Glebe Park and entry is free, mainly due to community fundraising events and a strong committee.Template:Citation needed
LandmarksEdit
Birkwood Castle is nearby.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Notable residentsEdit
- John Greenshields (1795–1835) a short-lived but talented Scottish sculptor responsible for works such as Sir Walter Scott in Parliament House, Edinburgh<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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- Jim Holton (1951–1993), Scottish football centre-half, was born there. He died, aged 42, after suffering a heart attack at the wheel of his car.<ref>Jim Holton at Scottish Football Association website</ref>
- Alexander Muir, composer of Canadian patriotic song "The Maple Leaf Forever", was born in Lesmahagow in 1830 before emigrating to Canada as a child.<ref>Alexander Muir Template:Webarchive at The Canadian Encyclopedia</ref>
ReferencesEdit
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