Bothwell Historical Society Newsletters (2011-2017)
These tri-annual newsletters cover a remarkable range of historical essays developed by society members. The society functioned between 2011 and 2020. The newsletters run from autumn 2011 to spring 2017.
Annotated Bibliography of Bothwell History Sources
WHERE A RIVER BENDS
Jack Gallacher, wrote a book which tells something of the 1,500 year old story of Bothwell and how the history of the village has been closely linked with that of the Scottish Nation. It was published in 2011.
LEST WE FORGET
Lest We Forget is the story of the men of Bothwell who fought and died in the First World War. It was published in July 2014. It details the war records and biographical information of those servicemen of Bothwell who died for their country between 1914 and 1918 and whose names are recorded on local war memorials and gravestones.
BOTHWELL STORIES
Bothwell Stories was published in the summer of 2015. It is an anthology of stories, reminiscences and photographs of Bothwell in times past.
BOTHWELL PARISH CHURCH KIRKYARD
At the invitation of the Minister, Reverend James Gibson, a group of volunteers from the Bothwell Historical Society photographed and, where possible, recorded the inscriptions on the gravestones at Bothwell Parish Church Kirkyard. In addition, the family background of those interred was researched. The book, published in the spring of 2017, adds greatly to the knowledge of the history of the Church and the community and will provide a valuable resource for future generations.
ARCHIE’S HISTORY OF BOTHWELL
Published in September 2016, Archie’s History of Bothwell is a children’s history of the village. It features ‘Archie’ the scarecrow mascot of the Bothwell Scarecrow Festival. It depicts Archie’s scarecrow ancestors and their connection to various aspects of Historic Bothwell.
Annotated Bibliography of Bothwell History Sources
Aiton, William. 1821. A history of the rencounter at Drumclog : and battle at Bothwell Bridge, in the month of June, 1679, with an account of what is correct, and what is fictitious in the “Tales of my landlord,” and reflections on political subjects. Hamilton: W. D. Borthwick and Co. – A religious and political review of the Covenanters, specifically the context to the Battle of Bothwell Bridge.
Bothwell Horticultural Society, 2012-2013. Oral Histories. – Oral interviews with Bothwellians, mostly members of the Bothwell Historical Society, reflections on Bothwell in the 1940s and 1950s. [Links to be inserted Anton will provide]
Gardiner, Rev. Matthew, C. 1840s. The New Statistical Account of the Parish of Bothwell. https://archive.org/stream/newstatisticalac01edin/newstatisticalac01edin_djvu.txt – Overview for early local industrial development. It should be noted that the Parish of Bothwell includes the village of Bothwell in addition to settlements such as Bellshill, Uddingston etc.
Gazetteers of Scotland 1803- 1901. National Library of Scotland – 20 volumes of the most popular descriptive gazetteers of Scotland, providing a comprehensive geographical encyclopedia of Scotland in the 19th century. Principal places in Scotland, including towns, counties, castles, glens, antiquities and parishes, are listed alphabetically.
Gow, Bill. 2011. Digging into the Past. Bothwell Horticultural Society. – Beginning in the 1840s, this publication offers a history of Bothwell’s Horticultural Society.
Hamilton, William. C. 1710. Descriptions of the Sheriffdoms of Lanark and Renfrew. https://digital.nls.uk/publications-by-scottish-clubs/archive/78835430?mode=gallery_grid&sn=228 -This publication covers Bothwell’s old collegiate church and the castle.
Hart, John. 2020. History of Church & Parish. Bothwell Historical Society. – Includes two detailed academic contributions; informative and interesting. No index nor bibliography.
Henderson, G. & Waddell, J. Jeffery. 1904. By Bothwell Banks. Hobbs of Glasgow. – Readable overview.
Jolly, William. 1902. The Battle of Bothwell Brig. Reported by ‘Strathclutha’ Hamilton: Hamilton Committee. – Mixing poetry and prose, this publication was designed to raise funds for the Covenanters’ Memorial.
MacCulloch, Michael, C. 1790. The Old Statistical Account of the Parish of Bothwell. https://stataccscot.ed.ac.uk/data/pdfs/account1/StAS.1.16.299.P.Lanark.Bothwell.pdf – Classic historical source by the Parish minister Rev. Michael MacCulloch with moralistic overtones. It should be noted that the Parish of Bothwell includes the village of Bothwell in addition to settlements such as Bellshill, Uddingston etc.
MacDonald, Hugh. 1854. Rambles Round Glasgow. Murray & Son. – Chapter 4 is devoted to Blantyre & Bothwell several editions.
MacPherson, Angus. 1862. Handbook of Hamilton, Blantyre and Bothwell. Hamilton Advertiser. https://deriv.nls.uk/dcn6/8973/89731742.6.pdf – Written by MacPherson, a local teacher, this text offers a postal directory of local residents.
n.a. 1909. The Bothwell Case. Blackwood & Sons, Edinburgh. – Presbytery report on the court proceedings regarding circumstances and ultimate appointment of Rev. S.J. Hamilton to Bothwell Parish Church; includes evidence from several members of the congregation.
Pagan, John Hamilton. 1892. The Antiquities of Bothwell. Bothwell Literary Society. – This publication of John Hamilton Pagan’s lecture of 16 February 1892, was popular at the time & went into two editions.
Stothers, Thomas. 1912. Stothers’s Glasgow & Lanarkshire Annual, 1911-1912. Thomas Stothers. – Christmas annual to celebrate the achievements and contributions of the leading personalities of the region.
Thomson, George, 1960. The Third Statistical Account for the County of Lanark. Glasgow, Collins. – Provides a summary of Parish and gives a separate treatment of Bothwell village by T. Coughtrie.
Thomson, Russell. 1995. Hamilton District – a history. Editors: Burns, Reed & Walker. – His chapter on Bothwell is a good introduction.
Waddell, J. Jeffery. 1911. Rambles Through Lanarkshire. Hamilton Advertiser – Readable but not much detail.