Carmyle

Carmyle
Lanarkshire
Location
Grid reference:	NS651618
Location:	55°49’50"N, 4°9’19"W
Data
Post town:	Glasgow
Postcode:	G32
Dialling code:	0141
Local Government
Council:	Glasgow
Parliamentary constituency:	Glasgow East

Carmyle is a village in Lanarkshire which has become almost an eastern suburb of Glasgow. It stands directly north of the River Clyde, in an isolated location separated from the main urban area of the city and has the characteristics of a semi-rural village.

The Clydeford Bridge crosses the Clyde here, as does the Carmyle Viaduct.

History

The name of Carmyle first appears as a gift of the lands by Herbert, the Bishop of Glasgow (1147–1164) to the Cistercian Abbey of Neubotle (Newbattle, in Midlothian). This abbey had been established a few years previously by King David I, whose mother, Margaret, as queen of King Malcolm III, had done so much to remould Christianity in Scotland.

Clydeford bridge and Andy Scott's sculpture

The name Carmyle is derived from Old Welsh and translates as "bare town". The reason for this may not be too difficult to find. Originally, most of the land north of Carmyle and Tollcross was forest and brushwood, giving excellent cover for wild animals, but the strips of land alongside the river-banks were very rich for cultivating. Therefore, the lands in and around Carmyle were probably cleared at an early date, so as to give room for successful agriculture. "Bare town" would be quite appropriate in the circumstances. The village has within it a residence of the Verona Fathers, in the property once known as Carmyle House.

Following on its becoming an attribute of the church through Bishop Herbert, the district was confirmed to the monks from time to time by succeeding kings and popes. A note appended to the transcript of a papal bull, dated 1263, shows that the monks had ceased to be owners, for the time being. How the change occurred is explained in a charter granted by John Cheyam, Bishop of Glasgow, on 11 June 1268. It appears that the bishop had, with his own money and with the help of Sir Reginald of Irewyn, Archdeacon of Glasgow, purchased, or redeemed, the land of Kermil. Being zealous for the increase of divine service in Glasgow Cathedral, he dedicated the property (except the new mill which he had erected on the water of the Clyde) for sustenance of three chaplains or priests, to celebrate divine service in the cathedral for the souls of the predecessors and successors of Archdeacon Reginald. Bishop John's pious arrangement, however, seems to have been disregarded by Robert Wishart, the succeeding bishop. His interference led the dean and chapter to appeal to the Pope in 1275, for redress. The outcome was never documented.

The district and village were known by various names, including Carmyld, Karmyle, Kermil, Neddyr Carmyle, Overe Carmyle and Wester Carmyled. The name Hutchesoune was applied to the district called Nether Carmyle, having been added in or about the year 1579, to the lands now owned by Thomas Hutcheson. His two sons were the founders of the hospital and school in Glasgow, bearing their name.

Location

Due to its physical isolation from the main built-up areas of Glasgow, Carmyle has something of a rural village character as opposed to a neighbourhood in a city. The River Clyde runs directly to the south, opposite the Westburn neighbourhood of Cambuslang – the banks were previously connected for pedestrians by the Carmyle Viaduct, a disused rail bridge, but that has now been blocked off. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service National Training Centre (2013) and Clydesmill Community Fire Station (2011) are also on the southern bank of the river, on the site of the large Clydesmill Power Station which was present for most of the 20th century.

To the north, the closest parts of Glasgow (on the other side of railway lines and the M74 motorway) are Auchenshuggle, Foxley and Mount Vernon. There is a large industrial estate to the west of Carmyle (built on the site of the Clyde Iron Works, in operation from the late 18th to late 20th century).

Land to the east at Kenmuir is undeveloped, some being abandoned farmland and coal workings; the farm was known for its unconventional owner during the latter 20th century who had the farmhouse extended, but it was abandoned to become ruined a few yards south of the motorway after the owner lost a court case in relation to its construction. In the 2010s, plans were outlined for much of this land to be developed for housing as a 'Community Growth Area'.

Churches

Carmyle Parish Church

• Church of Scotland: Carmyle Parish Church, in Carmyle Avenue, built in 1907
• Roman Catholic: St Joachim

About the village

The village has one pub, The Auld Boat Hoose.

• Bowling:
  • Carmyle Bowling Club
  • Foxley Bowling Club

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Carmyle)

• Carmyle: Gazetteer for Scotland