Lesmahagow

Etymology

The name means "Enclosure (meaning a walled area, like a monastery or fort) of St Machutus". The saint was born in Wales and may originally have been known as "Mahagw" prior to emigrating to Brittany where he became known by the Latinised form of the name and also as "St Malo". It is also possible that the first syllable may mean "garden" rather than "monastery", although Mac an Tailleir (2003) believes the former was altered from the latter in Gaelic.

Religion

The town has three Christian congregations, namely Lesmahagow Old Parish Church of the Church of Scotland and Abbeygreen Church of the Free Church of Scotland and an Evangelical congregation, (the Hope Hall) on the main street. Roman Catholic residents are served by Our Lady and St John's in the neighbouring village of Blackwood, 3 mi away.

Lesmahagow Priory, founded by Benedictine monks in 1144, no longer stands but its foundations were excavated in 1978 and are located next to the Old Parish Church off Church Square.

The seat of ISKCON Scotland is located in Lesmahagow. The organisation operates an eco farm at this location, which serves as a centre for spiritual practice, community activities, and sustainable living in accordance with ISKCON principles.

Highland Games

The Highland Games are held annually in June with Pipe Bands competing in Grades 1 through 4. There are also events for Highland dancing, weight over the bar, tossing the caber and archery. The first Highland Games was held in 1960 as a result of a collaboration between Lesmahagow F.C. and the now defunct Vale of Nethan Pipe Band. Originally held in Craighead Park, it is now held in the Glebe Park and entry is free, mainly due to community fundraising events and a strong committee.

Landmarks

Birkwood Castle is nearby.

Notable residents

• John Cairncross (25 July 1913 – 8 October 1995) was a British civil servant who became an intelligence officer and spy during the Second World War. As a Soviet double agent, he passed to the Soviet Union the raw Tunny decryptions that may have influenced the Battle of Kursk. He was alleged to be the fifth member of the Cambridge Five.
• John Greenshields (1795–1835) a short-lived but talented Scottish sculptor responsible for works such as Sir Walter Scott in Parliament House, Edinburgh
• Jim Holton (1951–1993), Scottish football centre-half, was born there. He died, aged 42, after suffering a heart attack at the wheel of his car.
• Alexander Muir, composer of Canadian patriotic song "The Maple Leaf Forever", was born in Lesmahagow in 1830 before emigrating to Canada as a child.

Fossil discoveries

The basal anaspid Lasanius has been discovered in Lesmahagow.

References

References

1. {{Scottish settlement population citation
2. "Names in Scots - Places in Scotland".
3. "Error 403".
4. The Imperial gazetteer of Scotland. 1854. Vol.II (GORDON-ZETLAND) by Rev. John Marius Wilson. pp.324–325 https://archive.org/stream/imperialgazettee02wilsuoft#page/324/mode/2up
5. [http://www.lesmahagow.com/history/annals/CH01/01001.htm "Chapter 1 – Derivation of Name.."] {{webarchive. link. (7 March 2008 lesmahagow.com. Retrieved 14 February 2008.)
6. Iain Mac an Tailleir. "Placenames". Pàrlamaid na h-Alba.
7. link
8. "Birkwood House LB7698". Historic Environment Scotland.
9. (2023-07-24). "Oppenheimer: How Lesmahagow produced Britain's first atomic spy".
10. "CPHS Website".
11. [http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/football_player_profile.cfm?page=823&playerID=113793&squadID=1 Jim Holton] at [[Scottish Football Association]] website
12. link. (20 December 2010 at [[The Canadian Encyclopedia]])