Cambuslang Park

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Cambuslang Park
Cambuslang Park in 2024 (3).jpg
Cambuslang Park
Type Public park
LocationCairns Road, Cambuslang, Scotland G72 8PZ
Coordinates 55°48′40″N4°09′42″W / 55.8112°N 4.1617°W / 55.8112; -4.1617
Area27 hectares (67 acres)
Operated by South Lanarkshire Council
OpenOpen all year

Cambuslang Park is a green flag awarded public park located in Cambuslang, part of the Greater Glasgow area, Scotland. [1] [2] The park spans 27-hectare (67-acre) and features floral displays, an amphitheatre, and a comprehensive network of pathways for walking. It features open parklands contrasted by the Borgie Glen, a steep tree-lined ravine. [3]

Contents

Current usage

The park's amphitheatre Cambuslang Park 2023 3.jpg
The park's amphitheatre

Cambuslang Public Park is renowned for its unique natural amphitheatre and varied ecological features, including a pond and extensive woodland areas which are home to rare species. The Borgie Glen, a notable feature within the park, contains a complex network of pathways. The bandstand area, serving as a natural amphitheatre, is particularly noted for its uniqueness. [4]

Cambuslang War Memorial Cambuslang Park in 2024 (5).jpg
Cambuslang War Memorial

The town's war memorial is located within the park: this features a bronze statue of a kilted soldier (sculptor Alexander Proudfoot, unveiled 1922) [5] – it is said to depict John McAlpine, the first man from Cambuslang killed in the First World War [6] Local activists have researched the details of every local serviceman killed in the 1914–1918 and 1939–1945 conflicts [7] (including Victoria Cross recipient Hugh McIver), which are displayed on plaques behind the statue. [8] Due to the park being somewhat isolated from the town centre, an additional Remembrance Garden was installed at the east end of Cambuslang Main Street in the 2010s. [9] [10]

Other installations include a line of 18 oak trees (two each representing local schools) planted in 1937 to mark the Coronation of George VI, [4] a small cairn at the 'Preaching Braes' erected in 2008 to commemorate the Cambuslang Work (an important religious revival event which took place there in the mid-18th century), [11] [12] and an inscribed boulder marking the centenary of the park in 2013. [13] [14] [4]

By 2023 the park had received ten consecutive Green Flag Awards [15] [16] ("the benchmark for clean, safe and well-maintained parks and green spaces") on the back of refurbishments carried out following a National Lottery grant of £550,000 in 2010. [17] [18] [19]

Facilities

The park offers a large, accessible play area that caters to toddlers and juniors, providing varied play experiences plus an outdoor gym. The park contains three grass football pitches and a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA), which supports a variety of sports activities.

Part of the Borgie Glen section Cambuslang Park Borgie Glen 3.jpg
Part of the Borgie Glen section
The open side of the park viewed from Cairns Road (flowerbeds in foreground) Cambuslang Park (geograph 2990285).jpg
The open side of the park viewed from Cairns Road (flowerbeds in foreground)

Described as being in four sections, [18] the landscape can be divided broadly into just two: [20] the west side accommodates the inclined and wooded Borgie Glen, the burn of which flows northwards to a small pond, while on the north side a similar burn emerges from a culvert and flows westwards in a similar wooded setting towards the same pond; the east and south section is comparatively flat, open and grassed and includes the flowerbed area, playpark and football pitches. [20] The amphitheatre, which is at the geographical centre of the park, takes up part of the difference in elevation between the grassed area and the pond area, with the natural sloping cliff adapted into nine concrete stepped rows forming a 'V' shape.

The main water course, part of the Kirk Burn which forms at west side of Dechmont Hill and eventually flows into the River Clyde near the Clydeford Bridge (A763), [21] is enclosed in a stone-lined channel to prevent flooding, with a number of small ponds, weirs and footbridges as both the burn and path wind their way downhill through the gorge, which includes some cliff faces. [22] Beyond the pond and Preaching Braes cairn is another incline forming a natural boundary to the glen, with the grounds of Cambuslang Old Parish Church situated at its head and the burn culverted below. [20] [21] At this point a short section of railway (Cathcart Circle Lines Newton branch) is also visible before it enters a tunnel turning north-east. A separate section of the Borgie Glen continues further north, but in an overgrown untended and dangerous condition in the 21st century. [23]

A footbridge links the two sides of the glen Cambuslang Park 2023 2.jpg
A footbridge links the two sides of the glen

The park has three primary entrances: Greenlees Road (south-west corner at the top of the glen, close to the Whitlawburn neighbourhood), Mansefield Avenue (north-west near the war memorial, close to Kirkhill railway station) and Cairns Road (north-east near the playpark, close to the Halfway neighbourhood). Most of the main pathways facilitate easy access for those with mobility issues, with a metal footbridge across the glen providing a route from the north-west to north-east at almost the same elevation, and paths off this route arranged in gradual descents to the lower pond area. [20] However, although the path from the south-west is a smooth and well-maintained surface without stairs, its incline may prove a challenge to some visitors in places. There are several secondary entrances at various locations around the perimeter, but the majority involve a combination of a steep descent to the main paths, uneven/loose surfaces and/or steps. All major paths and areas of the park can be explored via a circuitous route of around 2.4 kilometres (1.5 miles). [22]

There are no formal car parking facilities. Typically, spaces can be found in the residential streets a short distance from the entrances.

Community involvement

Local community groups are highly active in the maintenance and enhancement of the park, organising clean-ups and community events. [24] The park is also a focal point for local wildlife conservation efforts, with designated areas to support urban biodiversity.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Lanarkshire</span> Council area of Scotland

South Lanarkshire is one of 32 unitary authorities of Scotland. It borders the south-east of the Glasgow City council area and contains some of Greater Glasgow's suburban towns, as well as many rural towns and villages. It also shares borders with Dumfries and Galloway, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, North Lanarkshire, the Scottish Borders and West Lothian. It includes most of the historic county of Lanarkshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rutherglen</span> Town in Scotland

Rutherglen is a town in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, immediately south-east of the city of Glasgow, three miles from its centre and directly south of the River Clyde. Having previously existed as a separate Lanarkshire burgh, in 1975 Rutherglen lost its own local council and administratively became a component of the City of Glasgow District within the Strathclyde region. In 1996 the towns were reallocated to the South Lanarkshire council area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cambuslang</span> Scottish locality south of Glasgow

Cambuslang is a town on the south-eastern outskirts of Greater Glasgow, Scotland. With approximately 30,000 residents, it is the 27th largest town in Scotland by population, although, never having had a town hall, it may also be considered the largest village in Scotland. It is within the local authority area of South Lanarkshire and directly borders the town of Rutherglen to the west. Historically, it was a large civil parish incorporating the nearby hamlets of Newton, Flemington, Westburn and Halfway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blantyre, South Lanarkshire</span> Human settlement in Scotland

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cambuslang Rangers F.C.</span> Association football club in Scotland

Cambuslang Rangers Football Club are a Scottish football club based in Cambuslang, South Lanarkshire. Nicknamed The Lang, Camby or The Wee Gers, were formed in 1899, they play at Somervell Park and wear blue strips (uniforms).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastfield, South Lanarkshire</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Eastfield is a mainly residential district in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, located between the industrial towns of Rutherglen and Cambuslang in the south-east of the Greater Glasgow urban area. It is situated south of the River Clyde, adjoining the Stonelaw and Burnside neighbourhoods of Rutherglen, and Silverbank in Cambuslang.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fernhill, South Lanarkshire</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Fernhill is a residential neighbourhood in the Scottish town of Rutherglen in South Lanarkshire; it is situated south of the River Clyde and borders the Rutherglen neighbourhoods of High Burnside to the north and Cathkin to the east, the Glasgow district of Castlemilk to the west, and the open lands of Fernbrae Meadows to the south. Its location on a steep incline which is part of the Cathkin Braes range of hills offers panoramic views over the south and eastern parts of Greater Glasgow.

Gleniffer Braes is a short range of hills and park area to the south of Paisley, Scotland which form the boundary of Renfrewshire and North Ayrshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burnside, South Lanarkshire</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Burnside is a mostly residential area in the town of Rutherglen in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. Including the neighbourhoods of High Burnside and High Crosshill, respectively south and north-west of its main street, it borders Overtoun Park in Rutherglen plus several other residential areas of the town, as well as western parts of neighbouring Cambuslang.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirkhill, South Lanarkshire</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Kirkhill is a district of the town of Cambuslang, South Lanarkshire, Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gilbertfield Castle</span> Castle in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, UK

Gilbertfield Castle is a ruined 17th-century castle in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. It is located at NS652587, on the north slope of Dechmont Hill, just outside Cambuslang, to the south-east of Glasgow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cambuslang Work</span>

The Cambuslang Work was a period of extraordinary religious activity, in Cambuslang, Scotland. The event peaked in August 1742 when a crowd of some 30,000 gathered in the 'preaching braes' – a natural amphitheatre next to the Kirk at Cambuslang – to hear the great preacher George Whitefield call them to repentance and conversion to Christ. It was intimately connected with the similar remarkable revivalist events taking place throughout Great Britain and its American Colonies in New England, where it is known as The First Great Awakening.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Halfway, South Lanarkshire</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Halfway is a largely suburban area in the town of Cambuslang, Scotland, located within the local authority area of South Lanarkshire. It borders the smaller areas of Lightburn, Cairns, Flemington, Drumsagard and Hallside.

Holmhills Community Park is a recreational area in the southern part of Cambuslang, a town on the south-eastern fringes of the City of Glasgow, Scotland, UK. The area is bordered to the east by Greenlees Road, to the south by Western Road, to the west by Langlea Road, and to the north by Grenville Drive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drumsagard Village</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Drumsagard Village is a new construction village in Cambuslang, South Lanarkshire. It is built around the site of Drumsagard Castle and immediately south of the site of Hallside Steelworks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CamGlen Radio</span> Radio station

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newton, South Lanarkshire</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Newton is a mainly residential district in the town of Cambuslang in Scotland; it is situated directly south of the River Clyde. Newton is within the Cambuslang East ward of the South Lanarkshire Council area. Formerly a mining settlement from the mid-19th to mid-20th centuries then sparsely populated for several decades, in the early 2000s it was designated a 'Community Growth Area' for residential development with several hundred houses, a new primary school and associated infrastructure constructed in phases over several years into the 2020s, mostly on fields previously used by a farm which had operated for several centuries before closing around the turn of the 21st century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Westburn, South Lanarkshire</span> District of Cambuslang, Scotland

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whitlawburn</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Whitlawburn is a residential area in the town of Cambuslang in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. It is located south of the town centre on high ground slightly north of the Cathkin Braes, overlooking the Greater Glasgow urban area.

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References

  1. ↑ Cambuslang Park, Green Flag Award
  2. ↑ Three parks win green flag award, South Lanarkshire View, 29 November 2021
  3. ↑ "Cambuslang Park". What's On Lanarkshire. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 "Park History". Friends of Cambuslang Park. Archived from the original on 20 July 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  5. ↑ Cambuslang, Imperial War Museum
  6. ↑ Museums | Curator's Choice | John McAlpine Bronze Miniature, South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture
  7. ↑ Mystery of Cambuslang 'brothers' who died in World War One, Douglas Dickie, Daily Record, 4 September 2016
  8. ↑ Cambuslang, War Memorials Online, 29 May 2015
  9. ↑ Memorial garden several years in the making officially unveiled in Cambuslang, Marc McLean, Daily Record, 29 August 2018
  10. ↑ Cambuslang Remembrance Garden, Valencia Communities Fund
  11. ↑ Memorial cairn to religious revival officially unveiled, Kenny Smith, Daily Record, 10 September 2008
  12. ↑ Lanarkshire | Cambuslang, Scotland's Christian Heritage
  13. ↑ Cambuslang Park celebrate their centenary, Kenny Smith, Daily Record, 3 July 2013
  14. ↑ PiggeryBrae - Cambuslang Park Centenary gala day, GlescaPals, 29 June 2013
  15. ↑ Local parks keep the flag flying for award-winning green spaces, South Lanarkshire View, 19 July 2023
  16. ↑ Three Lanarkshire green spaces top the poll again for coveted Green Flag Award, Andrea Lambrou, Daily Record, 19 July 2023
  17. ↑ Cambuslang Public Park in line for £1m revamp, Kenny Smith, Daily Record, 15 April 2009
  18. 1 2 Cambuslang Park set to flourish thanks to over £1/2m Heritage Lottery investment, Heritage Lottery Fund, 1 October 2010
  19. ↑ Cambuslang Park takes shape, Kenny Smith, Daily Record, 27 April 2011
  20. 1 2 3 4 Cambuslang Walk in the Rain, Alex and Bob`s Blue Sky Scotland, 13 October 2022
  21. 1 2 Cambuslang and King Arthur, South Lanarkshire Council
  22. 1 2 Kirk Burn via Cambuslang Park, AllTrails
  23. ↑ Borgie Well, Cambuslang, Lanarkshire, Paul Bennett, The Northern Antiquarian, 29 January 2017
  24. ↑ Friends of Cambuslang Park hosting family friendly fun day, Ross Thomson, Daily Record, 2 August 2023
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