Editing Strathaven

{{Short description|Market town in South Lanarkshire, Scotland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox UK place
|official_name= Strathaven
|gaelic_name= Strath Aibhne
|scots_name=Straiven
|country = Scotland
| population = {{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Strathaven}}
| population_ref = ({{Scottish settlement population citation|year}})<ref>{{Scottish settlement population citation}}</ref>
|coordinates = {{coord|55.677|-4.065|display=inline,title}}
|unitary_scotland= [[South Lanarkshire]]
|lieutenancy_scotland= [[Lanarkshire]]
|constituency_westminster= [[East Kilbride and Strathaven (UK Parliament constituency)|East Kilbride and Strathaven]]
|constituency_scottish_parliament= [[Clydesdale (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Clydesdale]]
|historic_county=
|post_town= STRATHAVEN
|postcode_area= ML
|postcode_district= ML10
|dial_code= 01357
|static_image_name= Bridge Street, Strathaven - geograph.org.uk - 4571740.jpg
|london_distance = {{convert|330|mi|km|0|abbr=on}}
|edinburgh_distance_mi = 39
}}
'''Strathaven''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=Strathaven.ogg|ˈ|s|t|r|eɪ|v|ən}} {{respell|STRAY-ven}}; from {{langx|gd|Strath Aibhne}} {{IPA|gd|s̪t̪ɾah ˈajnə|}}) is a historic market town in [[South Lanarkshire]], [[Scotland]] and is the largest settlement in Avondale. It is {{Convert|7.5|km|mi|frac=4|abbr=off}} south of [[Hamilton, South Lanarkshire|Hamilton]].{{Efn|Measured as the bird flies from the edges of the built-up areas}} The Powmillon Burn runs through the town centre, and joins the [[Avon Water]] to the east of the town.

The current estimated population is 8,000. The town was granted a royal charter in 1450, making it a [[burgh of barony]]. The [[A71 road|A71]], which connects [[Edinburgh]] and [[Irvine, North Ayrshire|Irvine]], passes through the town.

==History==
[[File:Strathaven Town Mill.JPG|thumb|left|The Town Mill and Miller's house]]
[[File:Strathaven Public Hall - geograph.org.uk - 3537789.jpg|thumb|left|[[Strathaven Public Hall]]]]
[[File:Town Mill detail, Strathaven.JPG|thumb|Detail of the advertisement on the town mill]]
A [[Roman Britain|Roman]] road passes close by, on the south side of the [[Avon Water]]; it led to the Roman fort at [[Loudoun Hill]] near [[Darvel]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Bronze Oil Lamp, Loudon Hill, Ayrshire |url=https://vimeo.com/141915952 |access-date=7 July 2018}}</ref> The origins of [[Strathaven Castle]] are obscure, but it is believed to have been held by the Bairds until after the end of the [[Wars of Scottish Independence]] in 1357. It then passed to [[William Douglas, 1st Earl of Douglas]] in 1370.<ref>{{canmore|desc=Strathaven, Stonehouse Road, Avondale Castle|num=45636|access-date=6 October 2022}}</ref>

The settlement within the lands of Strathaven became a [[burgh of barony]] in 1450.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.scottish-places.info/towns/townhistory421.html |title=Strathaven|work=Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland |first=Francis H. |last=Groome |publisher=Thomas C. Jack|location=Edinburgh|year=1885}}</ref> The centre of the town is occupied by the market square, formerly a grassed common, and still known as Common Green, or just 'The Green'. Linking the town and the castle is the old 'Boo Backit Brig' ('bow-backed bridge'), a small arched bridge.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|desc=Strathaven Boo-backed Bridge|num=LB1293|access-date=6 October 2022}}</ref>

The Old Parish Church, with its landmark spire, was built in 1772, and was the place of worship of the [[Duke of Hamilton|Dukes of Hamilton]], who had a section of the church reserved for them.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scotlandschurchestrust.org.uk/church/avendale-old-parish-church-strathaven/|title=Avendale Old Parish Church, Strathaven|publisher=Scottish Churches Trust| access-date=6 October 2022}}</ref>

The town played a significant part in the [[Radical War]] of 1820, when [[James Wilson (Scottish Revolutionary)|James Wilson]] led a band of radicals on a march to Glasgow, to join a rumoured general uprising, which never actually happened. Wilson was hanged for treason.<ref name=craig>{{cite web|url=https://www.maggiecraig.co.uk/2020/08/30/scotlands-radical-martyrs-james-purlie-wilson/|title=Scotland's Radical Martyrs – James 'Purlie' Wilson|date=30 August 2020|first=Maggie|last=Craig|access-date=6 October 2022}}</ref>

Its most famous 'modern' resident was the singer, Sir [[Harry Lauder]] (1870–1950) whose mansion, Lauder Ha', or Hall, remains in the town's Lethame neighbourhood, the estate's entrance leading from the road to Kilmarnock. Sir Harry spent the Second World War years there, and died in February 1950.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2009/feb/27/from-the-archives |title=From the archives. Sir Harry Lauder dies |work=The Guardian |date=27 February 2009 |access-date=2 July 2017}}</ref>

[[Dungavel House]] on the outskirts of Strathaven was the place where German Deputy Führer, [[Rudolf Hess]], originally intended to land on the evening of 10 May 1941 in a misguided attempt to seek peace talks with [[Douglas Douglas-Hamilton, 14th Duke of Hamilton|the Duke of Hamilton]]. However bad weather and poor navigation resulted in Hess having to land at Floors Farm in [[Eaglesham]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/scotsman-200-hess-lands-help-britain-overthrow-nazi-tyranny-1452223|title=Scotsman 200: Hess lands to 'help Britain overthrow Nazi tyranny'|date=8 April 2017|newspaper=The Scotsman| access-date=6 October 2022}}</ref>

In 2002, Strathaven was granted the title of Scotland's First Fairtrade Town<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=4434&mode=html|title=Official Report|first=Official|last=Report|date=24 January 2014|website=www.parliament.scot}}</ref> (jointly with Aberfeldy) under the leadership of Paulo Quadros, chair of the first Fairtrade group in Scotland.<ref name="auto"/>

==Governance==
The town is part of the [[Avondale and Stonehouse (ward)|Avondale and Stonehouse]] ward of the South Lanarkshire [[Subdivisions of Scotland|council area]]. Before 1996, it was part of the [[Strathclyde]] region, with a district council in [[East Kilbride (district)|East Kilbride]]. Previous to that, it had been part of the Fourth [[List of local government areas in Scotland (1930–1975)#County of Lanark|landward district]] of the County of Lanark.<ref>''Edinburgh Gazette'', March 11, 1930</ref>

As of the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 UK General Election]], Strathaven is represented in [[Government of the United Kingdom|Westminster]] by the [[East Kilbride and Strathaven (UK Parliament constituency)|East Kilbride and Strathaven]] Labour MP, [[Joani Reid]]. In [[Scottish Government|Holyrood]], the town is represented by [[Clydesdale (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Clydesdale]] constituency SNP MSP [[Màiri McAllan]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Scotland Election 2021 > Clydesdale |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2021/scotland/constituencies/S16000090 |accessdate=8 May 2021 |work=[[BBC News]]}}</ref>

==Long-established business==
The town's longest established business is Gebbie & Wilson, Solicitors in the Common Green, which was founded by William Gebbie in 1816.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gebbiewilson.co.uk/about-us/our-history/ |title=Our History|publisher=Gebbie & Wilson|access-date=6 October 2022}}</ref> Local bakery Alexander Taylor is the longest-established bakery in Scotland. Opened in 1820, the business is operated by the sixth generation of the Taylor family.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bakery |first=Alexander Taylor |title=Alexander Taylor Bakery |url=https://alexandertaylorbakery.co.uk/ |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=Alexander Taylor Bakery |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== Landmarks ==
[[File:Strathaven Castle Tower - geograph.org.uk - 3537293.jpg|thumb|The sole remaining tower of Strathaven Castle]]
The major landmark in the town is [[Strathaven Castle]].<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=SM2619|desc=Avondale Castle|access-date=19 February 2019}}</ref> Beside the castle lies the Town Mill. Built in 1650 at the behest of [[William Hamilton, 2nd Duke of Hamilton|William, the 2nd Duke of Hamilton]], the mill remained in operation until production ceased in 1966. The building, after having undergone repairs and refurbishment since its time in use as a mill, now operates as an Arts and Heritage centre.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About {{!}} Strathaven Town Mill |url=https://www.strathaventownmill.org/about-us/ |access-date=2024-05-13 |language=en-GB}}</ref> [[Strathaven Public Hall]] was designed by Alexander Cullen and completed in 1896.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|desc=Former Strathaven Public Hall, Kirk Street And Thomson Street, Strathaven|num= LB50142|access-date=6 October 2022}}</ref>
[[File:Spectacle E'e Falls on the Kype Water, Sandford, Lanarkshire.jpg|thumb|The Spectacle E'e falls on the Kype Water|left]]
Between the town and nearby village [[Sandford, South Lanarkshire|Sandford]] lie the Spectacle E'e ([[Lallans]] word for 'eye') falls. The falls are named so for a local tale of a tryst between a young man and the miller's daughter. The miller disapproved of the young man, finding him unworthy of his daughter's company, and decidedly put an end to the affair. In retaliation, the young man is said to have placed an eye glass in the thatched roof of the mill, thus, through the refracted sunlight, the mill was set ablaze. Ruins of the mill exist today around the waterfall. The falls are accessible by a trail leading from Lesmahagow Road.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Strathaven, Sandford & Spectacle E’e falls |url=https://visitlanarkshire.com/routes/strathaven-sandford-spectacle-ee-falls/ |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=VisitLanarkshire |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Strathaven has two public parks which are adjoined by a bridge over the Powmillon Burn. The lower of the two is the John Hastie Park, named for a local businessman who left a sum in his will to the town for the provision of funds for the park and the former museum which are named in his honour. The higher of the two is the George Allan Park which features a boating pond, an ornate cast-iron bandstand installed in 1902 and a miniature railway. Dating back to 1949, the railway is the oldest of its kind in Scotland. The park is named for the son of local Reverend James Allan whose son, George, was involved in a fatal sporting accident aged only 13. The Reverend Allan donated the funds necessary for the park's foundation which was then named in his son's honour.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Strathaven Park - South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture |url=https://www.slleisureandculture.co.uk/info/117/strathaven_park |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.slleisureandculture.co.uk}}</ref>

== Transport ==
The [[A71 road|A71]], which connects [[Edinburgh]] and [[Irvine, North Ayrshire|Irvine]] passes through the town. The [[A723 road|A723]] links Strathaven to Hamilton and the [[A726 road|A726]] links it to East Kilbride, and further onto Glasgow. As part of South Lanarkshire, the town is in the [[Strathclyde Partnership for Transport]] area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spt.co.uk/ |title=About us|publisher=Strathclyde Partnership for Transport|access-date=6 October 2022}}</ref>

=== Former railway stations ===
[[File:Strathaven North Railway station. 1906..jpg|thumb|Strathaven North station in 1906]]
Strathaven had, at various times, three railway stations.
* {{Stnlnk|Strathaven (Old)}}, the first station, was the terminus of the [[Hamilton and Strathaven Railway]]. The railway was taken over by the [[Caledonian Railway]]; and the station closed in 1964.<ref>Walks in Strathaven, Strathaven Community Council</ref>
* {{Stnlnk|Strathaven North}}, a terminal station on the Hamilton and Strathaven Branch of the Caledonian Railway, opened in October 1904, closed temporarily during [[World War I]]; and closed completely in 1953.<ref>{{Stansfield-Lanark}}, p. 40</ref>
* {{Stnlnk|Strathaven Central}}, on the [[Darvel and Strathaven Railway]] closed in June 1964 to services from the east, although the line to Darvel closed in 1939.<ref>{{Stansfield-Lanark}}, p. 32</ref>

=== Strathaven Airfield ===

Strathaven Airfield is home to a [[microlight]] flying school, which operates both the traditional-style weightshift microlights and the light aircraft-style ones, and the new airfield manager's house was featured on Channel 4's ''[[Grand Designs]]'' in October 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.channel4.com/programmes/grand-designs/episode-guide|title=Grand Designs: Grand Designs - Episode Guide|website=Channel 4|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=28 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428123000/https://www.channel4.com/programmes/grand-designs/episode-guide/|url-status=live}}</ref> There are approximately 35 aircraft – both light aircraft and microlights – hangared at Strathaven in two modern purpose-built hangars. The airfield is also home to an annual local music festival, HangarFest. The airfield was set up on the old Couplaw Farm, which The Scottish Flying Club Ltd bought in May 1964. The club had begun flying in 1927 at the old Renfrew Airport<ref>Renfrew Airport</ref> but was left homeless after Renfrew was nationalised in 1946. Strathaven Airfield was given to the [[RAF Benevolent Fund]] in 1974 and then sold privately in 2005. It has three grass runways, the main runway is oriented 09/27 (east-west) and is 530 m long (with a 100 m starter extension on 27 available on request). The airfield co-ordinates in the UK Air Pilot ENR 5.5-17 are: 554049N 0040654W.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ead.eurocontrol.int/eadbasic/pamslight-82F56B368122B97304674DE503ECA454/7FE5QZZF3FXUS/EN/AIP/ENR/EG_ENR_5_5_en_2014-05-29.pdf |title=EUROCONTROL - the European AIS Database: Introduction to EAD Basic - Home |access-date=29 May 2014 |archive-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011184458/https://www.ead.eurocontrol.int/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Education ==
There are 7 primary schools in and around Strathaven,  Chapelton Primary School, Gilmourton Primary School, Kirklandpark Primary School, Sandford Primary School, St Patrick's Primary School and Wester Overton Primary School

[[Strathaven Academy]] is the town's only secondary school.

== Religion ==

Strathaven contains six churches<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.churches-uk-ireland.org/towns/s/strathaven.html|title=The Churches of Britain and Ireland - Strathaven|website=www.churches-uk-ireland.org|access-date=27 April 2014|archive-date=28 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140428002756/http://www.churches-uk-ireland.org/towns/s/strathaven.html|url-status=live}}</ref> including three Church of Scotland parishes: Avendale Old (built in 1772) linked with Drumclog Parish Church,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.avendale-drumclog.com/|title=Avendale & Drumclog Parish Church|website=www.avendale-drumclog.com|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=26 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190126153041/https://avendale-drumclog.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> Strathaven Rankin linked with Chapelton Parish Church,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://rankinandchapelton.wikidot.com/ |title=Welcome - Strathaven Rankin & Chapelton |access-date=11 January 2013 |archive-date=28 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728013711/http://rankinandchapelton.wikidot.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and East Parish Church (built in 1777) linked with Glassford Parish Church.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scotlandschurchestrust.org.uk/church/east-parish-church-strathaven/|title=East Parish Church, Strathaven|date=24 September 2017|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=9 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309081640/https://www.scotlandschurchestrust.org.uk/church/east-parish-church-strathaven|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Strathaven East Parish Church - geograph.org.uk - 4571749.jpg|thumb|The former East Parish Church]]
The town's only [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] church is St Patrick's Catholic Church. The Parish was founded in 1859 to serve the growing Catholic population of Avondale following migration from Highland and Irish communities following the [[Highland Clearances|Clearances]] and the [[Great Famine (Ireland)|Great Famine]]. The current church building was constructed in 1901, paid for by then Archbishop [[Charles Eyre (bishop)|Charles Eyre]]. The older, original church building now serves as the parish hall.<ref>{{Cite web |last=sct-admin |date=2017-09-24 |title=St Patrick's Church, Strathaven |url=https://www.scotlandschurchestrust.org.uk/church/st-patricks-church-strathaven/ |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=Scotlands Churches Trust |language=en-GB}}</ref>

The ecumenical body "Hope Strathaven" consists of six churches in the area, which work together bringing a mix of community projects.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hopestrathaven.co.uk/the-strathaven-churches.php |title=The Strathaven Churches |access-date=2013-01-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825145924/http://hopestrathaven.co.uk/the-strathaven-churches.php |archive-date=25 August 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The Rt Rev Dr [[Shaw Paterson]], minister at Strathaven Trinity Parish Church of Scotland, was elected to be [[Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland]] for 2024-2025.

==Sport==
Strathaven is home to several sports clubs, which include [[Strathaven RFC|Strathaven Rugby Club]] which has a [[Artificial turf|3G]], all-weather pitch.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/strathaven-rugby-club-strathaven-dynamo-8997357|title=Strathaven Rugby Club and Strathaven Dynamo AFC begin work on new £630,000 3G pitch|first=Robert|last=Mitchell|date=October 9, 2016}}</ref>

==Culture==
[[File:Strathaven Balloon Festival 2018 2.JPG|thumb|Hot air balloon in flight over the town]]
Strathaven Hotel houses a small seated venue holding acoustic music gigs under the title [https://fretsconcerts.com/ FRETS]. Artists performing have included [[Arab Strap]], [[Norman Blake (Scottish musician)|Norman Blake]] and [[Euros Childs]], [[Lloyd Cole]], [[Altered Images]], [[Robyn Hitchcock]] and [[Michael Head (popular musician)|Michael Head]].

The town is host to Scotland's only hot air balloon festival. Held each August since 1999, the event attracts pilots and enthusiasts from across Europe.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://www.strathavenballoonfestival.co.uk/about |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=www.strathavenballoonfestival.co.uk |language=en}}</ref>

In the Third Statistical Account of Scotland, County of Lanark, the Reverend C. Arthur Robertson, writing in 1953, quotes from the diary of a John McGowan, a native Strathavonian himself writing in Minnesota, U.S.A. c.1810 wherein is described some of Strathaven's folkloric history, "A small natural rock situated about a mile south of the town of Strathaven on the north bank of the [[Avon Water|River Avon]] in the parish of Avondale. Its curious form and romantic situation - with surrounding rocks rising abruptly and forming an amphitheatre about forty yards distant from it - give it the air of something grand and majestic. This little hill is covered with a slight coat of earth and planted with a few scotch firs, and the surrounding rocks are also covered with trees, forming a square on the north-east side of the Dabbie Dancie.

The hill itself is about 40 ft. high and 40 yds. long, is it oval form, within 30 yds. of the bed of the Avon, and was supposed to be the haunt of a [[Kelpie|water kelpy]] in the dark ages of romance, superstition and ignorance. The appearance of this beautiful little mount would give a stranger such ideas. This suggests to my mind the story which I heard in early life.

'On a stormy afternoon, as a cow-herd was gathering his cattle for home, he heard a voice more than human, just at the site of this old mount (the waters of the Avon were rising rapidly), call out, 'Carry me from Dabbie Dancie into Winkins Waas'. Which Winkin Waas is a rock placed on the other side of the Avon. This mount too, it is said, has the honour of Scots laws and ancient rites and superstitions delivered here by chiefs, and so public justice executed.'"<ref>{{Cite book |last=Robertson |first=C. Arthur |title=The Third Statistical Account of Scotland: The County of Lanark |publisher=Collins |year=1960 |edition=1st |location=Glasgow |pages=463-464 |language=en}}</ref>

==Notable people==
*[[Bertie Auld]], footballer and one of the [[Lisbon Lions]] who played with [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]], lived in Strathaven<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/bertie-auld-given-planning-permission-2413069|title=Bertie Auld given planning permission to build two new houses|date=3 November 2011|newspaper=Daily Record|access-date=6 October 2022}}</ref>
*[[Stuart Braithwaite]], singer and musician with the band [[Mogwai]], attended [[Strathaven Academy]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-scotsman/20200404/282359746820425|title=Music Maker|newspaper=The Scotsman|date=4 April 2020|access-date=6 October 2022}}</ref>
*[[Eric Caldow]], Scottish international footballer who played with [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]], founder of Strathaven Dynamo<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/rangers-hero-strathaven-dynamo-founder-14124694|title=Rangers hero and Strathaven Dynamo founder Eric Caldow remembered by the Avondale club|date=17 March 2019|newspaper=Daily Record| access-date=6 October 2022}}</ref>
*[[William Craig (botanist)|William Craig]], surgeon and botanist, President of the [[Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh|Edinburgh Botanical Society]] and Fellow of the [[Royal Society of Edinburgh]], born in Strathaven<ref>{{cite book|title=Biographical Index of Former Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 1783–2002|date=July 2006|publisher=The Royal Society of Edinburgh|isbn=0-902-198-84-X|url=https://www.royalsoced.org.uk/cms/files/fellows/biographical_index/fells_indexp1.pdf|access-date=2018-08-01|archive-date=2016-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304074135/https://www.royalsoced.org.uk/cms/files/fellows/biographical_index/fells_indexp1.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Linda Fabiani]], [[Scottish National Party]] politician and former [[Scottish Executive]] Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture, lived in Strathaven<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/fabiani-vows-back-party-2440695|title=Fabiani vows to back her party|date=18 February 2009| newspaper=Daily Record| access-date=6 October 2022}}</ref>
*[[David Fernández (footballer, born 1976)|David Fernández]], Spanish footballer who spent most of his career in Scotland playing for clubs including [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] and [[Kilmarnock F.C.|Kilmarnock]], lived in Strathaven<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ukphonebook.com/telephone-directory/person-details/David-Fernandez-Strathaven_._zRVHdo10N9-F-uftiTxQdUm8HkBRnoWSAuQujOuthQd6EJTWO86e4evWZAqFpfJUdN|title= David Fernández|publisher=UK Phone Book| access-date=6 October 2022}}</ref> 
*[[James Fowler (Australian politician)|James Mackinnon Fowler]], Australian politician and founding member of the Victorian Socialist League, born in Strathaven<ref>{{cite web|url=http://exhibitions.senate.gov.au/pogg/members/fowler.htm|title=James Mackinnon Fowler (1863-1940)|publisher=The First Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia|  access-date=6 October 2022}}</ref> 
*[[Gordon Gibb]], businessman, [[CEO]] of [[Flamingo Land Theme Park and Zoo|Flamingo Land Ltd]] and former chairman of [[Bradford City A.F.C.|Bradford City Football Club]], brought up in Strathaven<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/gordon-gibb-more-ups-than-downs-sfs9fw5g8qc|title=Gordon Gibb: more ups than downs|date=12 July 2009|newspaper=[[The Times]]| access-date=6 October 2022}}</ref> 
*[[Robert Giffen|Sir Robert Giffen]], financial editor of ''[[The Times]]'' newspaper and President of the [[Royal Statistical Society]], born in Strathaven.<ref>{{cite DNB12 |wstitle= Giffen, Robert |volume= 2 |last=  Hall |first= Hubert |author-link= |pages=103-105 |short=1}}</ref>
*[[Andy Kerr (Scottish politician)|Andy Kerr]], Labour politician and former [[Scottish Executive]] Health Minister, lives in Strathaven.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14440933.labour-ex-ministers-purchase-museum-mansion-sparks-landmark-facebook-defamation-case/|title=Labour ex-minister's purchase of museum mansion sparks landmark Facebook defamation case|date=21 April 2016|newspaper=Herald Scotland|  access-date=6 October 2022}}</ref> 
*[[Harry Lauder|Sir Harry Lauder]], singer, comedian and music hall entertainer<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/123028/sir-harry-lauder-sir-winston-churchill-lauders-estate-lauder-ha-strathaven-south-lanarkshire|title=Sir Harry Lauder (1870 - 1950) with Sir Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965) at Lauder's estate, Lauder Ha', in Strathaven, South Lanarkshire|website=National Galleries of Scotland}}</ref>
*[[Thomas Leiper]], tobacco merchant<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://dla.library.upenn.edu/dla/pacscl/detail.html?id=PACSCL_LCP_LCPLeiper|title=Thomas Leiper and family business records, 1771-1947|website=dla.library.upenn.edu|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=18 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118161744/http://dla.library.upenn.edu/dla/pacscl/detail.html?id=PACSCL_LCP_LCPLeiper|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Marion Jean Lyon]], the first women advertising manager of a major British publication, was born in Strathaven<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|author=Lizzie Broadbent |year=2023 |title=Lyon [''married name'' Raven-Hill], (Marion) Jean |encyclopedia= [[Oxford Dictionary of National Biography]] |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |doi=10.1093/odnb/9780198614128.013.90000380812}}</ref>
*[[Stuart McCall]], Scottish international footballer who played for [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]], [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] and [[Bradford City A.F.C.|Bradford City]], lived in Strathaven<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/property/former-rangers-star-stuart-mccalls-12594048|title=Former Rangers star Stuart McCall's luxury country estate up for sale for £1million|date=25 May 2018|newspaper=Daily Record| access-date=6 October 2022}}</ref>
*[[Una McLean]], actress and comedian<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2019/una-mclean-river-city|title=BBC - Una McLean retires her River City role as matriarch Molly O'Hara - Media Centre|website=www.bbc.co.uk|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011184501/https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2019/una-mclean-river-city|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[John Miller (Queen's Park footballer)|John Miller]], footballer for Scotland, Queen's Park F.C. and Pollock FC
*[[Aileen Neilson]], Paralympian, lives in Strathaven<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/strathaven-woman-aileen-neilson-skip-14037507|title=Strathaven woman Aileen Neilson to skip Scotland at 'home' World Curling Championships|date=25 February 2019|newspaper= Daily Record| access-date=6 October 2022}}</ref>
*[[Corrie Scott]], swimmer and bronze medalist at the [[2014 Commonwealth Games]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.teamscotland.scot/athlete/corrie-scott/|title=Corrie Scott|access-date=31 August 2020|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011184504/https://www.teamscotland.scot/athlete/corrie-scott/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Jack Smart (footballer)|Jack Smart]], football player
* [[Andy Stewart (politician)|Andy Stewart]], Conservative MP from 1983–1992 for [[Sherwood (UK Parliament constituency)|Sherwood]], chaired Strathaven [[Unionist Party (Scotland)|Young Unionists]] in 1957–58.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/letters/10389736/Dont-blame-old-people-for-the-financial-woes-of-the-rising-generation.html| title = Telegraph Letters - Lord Lexden on 'Tories and the Union' | accessdate = 20 October 2013 | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph | date=19 October 2013}}</ref>
*[[Danny Thomson|Daniel Thomson]], footballer 
*[[Sara Vickers]], actor, born in Strathaven<ref>[https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ "Vickers, Sara Louise. F. 1985. 579/ 13. Strathaven"], Statutory registers – Births, [[ScotlandsPeople]], (registration required)</ref> 
*[[Ricky Warwick]], singer and guitarist with rock bands [[The Almighty (band)|The Almighty]] and [[Circus Diablo]], currently vocalist with [[Thin Lizzy]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/entertainment/15138047.black-star-riders-owe-inspiration-to-scottish-roots/|title=Black Star Riders owe inspiration to Scottish roots|website=Glasgow Times}}</ref>
*[[James Wilson (revolutionary)|James Wilson]], revolutionary leader who participated in the [[Scottish Insurrection of 1820]]<ref name=craig/>
*[[Barry Leitch]], video game music composer

==Notes==
{{noteslist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.sorbie.net/strathaven.htm Town of Strathaven]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20091026215641/http://geocities.com/currie642002/index.htm Strathaven in Old Postcards]
*[http://www.scottish-places.info/towns/townhistory421.html Scottish Gazetteer: Strathaven]

{{South Lanarkshire Settlements}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Strathaven| ]]
[[Category:Towns in South Lanarkshire]]