Our Parish

Location

The Parish of The Douglas Valley Church is in South Lanarkshire, within the Presbytery of Lanark. The widespread area is mostly farmland. Situated on the A70 Edinburgh to Ayr road just off junction twelve (Northbound) and junction eleven (Southbound) of the M74 motorway, the parish is within easy travelling distance of Edinburgh (35 miles), Glasgow (35 miles), Ayr (35 miles) and Carlisle (70 miles).

Our History

The Douglas Valley is steeped in history. The Covenanters, James Gavin, the Cameronian Regiment, and the Douglas family, to name a few, all have a part to play in the colourful history of this corner of Scotland.

Old St Bride's Church dates from the late 14C. The Chancel survives as a ruin from this period while the tower was built in 1618. The clock is said to have been gifted by Mary, Queen of Scots.

The Earl of Angus statue was erected to mark the bi-centenary of the raising of the Cameronian Regiment. It also commemorates the death of the Cameronian Regiment's first Colonel, the Earl of Angus, at the Battle of Steinkirk (Flanders) in 1692.

The Local Area

The villages in the parish, Douglas and Glespin, Rigside and Douglas Water, grew up through the area’s mining industry.  These once thriving communities went into something of a decline when the mines closed, but, happily, they are now improving. Over recent years, capital investment, the introduction of new industry and ongoing housing development has produced a stronger and much more diverse community.

The nearby towns of Lanark and Hamilton are easily accessible, although the villages themselves are reasonably well served with local shops and services.

For the more energetic the Douglas Valley provides numerous walks in beautiful countryside, as well as many recreational groups and organisations, some of which include indoor and outdoor Bowling Clubs, Angling Clubs, Golf Club, Drama Group, Curling Club, Gala Day, Flower Show and many more. For children and young people we have Scouts, Cubs, Beavers, Brownies and Rainbows as well as the award winning local authority youth learning service, ‘Universal Connections’. Each village has its local Resident’s Association and Pensioner's Association, including a One-O-Clock Club in Douglas and Rigside.

Health

The area is well served by the Douglasdale Medical Practice and the Lady Home Hospital, which provides beds for acute medical patients, rehabilitation and terminal care.

Lady Home also provides a minor accident  and emergency service.

Education

The area is served by three Primary Schools in the villages of Douglas, Glespin and Rigside. All three schools are scheduled to be rebuilt in the near future.

Secondary education is provided at Lanark Grammar School (12 miles) and, by placing request, Lesmahagow High School (8 miles).

The Schools in Douglas and Rigside also have a Nursery Department. Toddler groups are held in Rigside and Douglas Community Centres.