ABOUT GARTCOSH

The village is situated in North Lanarkshire, east of the Glasgow boundary. The derivation of Gartcosh has been argued over many a time but the most popular idea is that it derives from Gaelic ‘Gart’ meaning field and ‘Cos’ meaning hollow.- this is a fair description of the green countryside and the village's position with nearby undulating glacial drumlins.

Gartcosh has recently expanded from the 401 households- population 952 recorded in the 2001 census – as, without doubt, the recent 2011 census will show. Although best known for its role in Scottish industry, Gartcosh began as an agricultural village and the area around it still reflects its agricultural past.

In the early nineteenth century, a ‘stopping off’ railway station was opened to transport coal from the numerous mines in the area and it led to industrialisation and a population increase into the sleepy pastoral area.

Gartcosh Village from the air

Most of the land was owned by two strict Presbyterian spinster sisters. They weren't interested in financial gain from the sale of land to industrialists on points of principle, though, eventually they relented under pressure from Smith & McLean.

The sisters, however, attached conditions to the sale , which are still honoured today:

...."that the following shall not be built within the Gartcosh boundaries"

• bookmakers

• public houses See CHAPMAN'S for notes on location.

• Catholic Churches The nearest Catholic Churches are still located Muirhead, Glenboig and Coatbridge.

The main employer if the village closed in 1986 and the site is currently being developed. Gartcosh continues to grow as a residential commuter village.

The section INAND AROUND GARTCOSH- Places & Sites of Interest will help you find out more about the interesting sites and buildings in and around our expanding village.