Our Town
The earliest inhabitants dwelt in this area about two thousand years ago, in what was but
a morass of bogland. (What else is new? say the long suffering gardeners of East
Kilbride).
The early inhabitants speech would probably have been Gaelic, and they would have been
hunters of the Deer, Wolves, Bear and Wild Cattle which prevailed in the area. Their
dwelling places would have been caves or mud huts built on poles above the marshes. The
name derives its origin from St.Bride (or Brigid) and the Gaelic "Cil" meaning
Church or Burial Place. The recorded history of the Parish of East Kilbride, did not start
until the 12th Century, and space prevents giving a detailed resume here, but it
must be said that like so many other places in the area it is steeped in Scottish History,
Political, Religious and Social. During the 17th Century the people of East Kilbride
strongly upheld the Covenanters Cause. Amongst the many historical happenings of
that time was the re-capture of the "Kilbryd Flag" at the Battle of Bothwell
Brig.
In the 18th Century shoemaking and muslin weaving were important local trades but with the
onset of the "Industrial Revolution" machinery ousted craftsmanship causing much
local hardship. Coal was mined in the area but the seams were sparse and the yield
was poor. The pits known locally as "Coal Heughs" were short lived, and
consequently the countryside was spared the scarring and dis-figurement which despoiled so
many other parts of Lanarkshire.
In the 19th Century, road improvements were slow, so the coming of the railway was very
welcome. The Busby Railway Company was founded in 1863 and the line from Glasgow via
Busby to East Kilbride was opened in stages between 1867 and 1868.
By the end of the second world war East Kilbride was an agricultural town of 2400
people. It was obvious that the problems of overcrowding and poor working and living
conditions, which prevailed in the West of Scotland could not be tolerated by a
country which was hoping for so much for it's Citizens after the horrors of 1939 to
1946. In 1946 the Clyde Valley Planning Advisory Committee recommended that East
Kilbride should be the focal point of a New Town, and under the "New Town Act
1946" the village of East Kilbride was designated in 1947 as Scotland's first New
Town.
The success of East Kilbride as a New Town is almost legendary, and owes much to many
people and many organisations, but we feel that the Faith and Commitment of the People of
East Kilbride themselves, and the pride which they have in their town is the biggest
single factor in its success. It is this same Faith and Commitment which will take
"Our Town" through the difficult days which lie ahead. Our Lodge has
always encouraged a community involvement - long before it was fashionable to do
so. We believe in "Our Town" that is why we named ourselves
LODGE DOUGLAS EAST KILBRIDE.
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