Resting on a plateau four hundred feet above sea level, the town of Airdrie, Scotland, is adjacent to Coatbridge to the west.
The Glasgow city centre is about twelve miles to the west. Chapelhall, Calderbank, Caldercruix, Gartness, Glenmavis, Greengairs, Longriggend, Plains, Stand, Upperton, Newhouse, and Wattston are satellite villages of Airdrie, and the area was historically the Monklands district.
Airdrie first appears in the Register of the Great Seal of Scotland in 1373 as Ardre. By 1546, it was spelled Ardry, and Ardrie in 1587, taking its current spelling by 1630. Given the height of its topography, its name was likely derived from the Gaelic An Àrd Ruigh, which refers to a high plain.
Under the patronage of King Malcolm IV of Scotland, a Cistercian abbey was established at Melrose in 1136, and a daughter house at Newbattle Abbey in Lothian in 1941. In 1160, King Malcolm granted lands in central Scotland to the monks of Newbattle, which became the Munklands, and later the Monklands. King Malcolm's charter lists the place names in the Monklands at that time, but Airdrie, under any recognizable name, is not recorded in the charter.
The Cistercian monks of Newbatle Abbey controlled a lot of land, much of which they farmed. They were also known for building roads, and, in the 12th century, they constructed the original road from Glasgow to Edinburgh, which passed through the area where Airdrie now is, likely contributing to the founding of the town.
The first houses in what became Airdrie were built along this road. Development was slow, however, as only about five hundred people were there in 1650. Nevertheless, people from Airdrie fought at the Battle of Bothwell Brig during the Covenanter Rebellion of 1679.
In 1695, the Scottish Parliament granted Robert Hamilton of Airdrie the right to hold four fairs each year and a weekly market in the town of Airdry, as it was then spelled. Thus, Airdrie transitioned from a farm town to a market town.
During the 18th and early 19th centuries, Airdrie was an important weaving center. The town relied heavily on the handloom industry, which employed people from several of the surrounding villages. In 1774, the Scottish government lifted a ban on pure cotton cloth production, leading to a mill construction boom.
In 1824, the Airdrie Town House was built. Later used as a hospital during a cholera outbreak, the structure is now a landmark known as the "town clock."
Significant population growth between 1850 and 1920 was attributed to an influx of new residents from the Scottish Highlands and Ireland after the Highland potato famine, seeking work in heavy industries in the area, including mining and ironwork foundries. These new industries encouraged the construction of railway links beginning in 1826.
Airdrie, and much of Scotland and the United Kingdom faced significant economic challenges during the period following World War I to well after World War II. The wars had disrupted industries, trade, and labor markets, and the demobilization of soldiers following World War I led to a sudden influx of workers into the civilian labor force, exacerbating unemployment, which reached as high as 30% after World War I.
The economy struggled to transition from wartime production to peacetime activities, only to have to shift back into wartime production during the period leading up to World War II.
Airdrie was a particularly depressed area. Older workers faced difficulties finding work due to shifting industries and technological advances, while women, who had entered the job market during the war, struggled to secure stable jobs at the end of the war. While improvements came following World War II, the decline in unemployment was gradual.
In 1949, Boots UK Limited, a pharmaceutical company, opened in Airdrie, and Banner Textiles opened. Together, they employed about 1,200 people, which put Airdrie back on the map as a viable option for businesses. The Pye electronics company employed more than 1,000 people in 1958.
Today, Airdrie is largely a commuter city for people employed in Glasgow. Its traditional town centre serves as a focus for shopping and leisure activities. While the town is no longer an industrial center, it boasts historical and modern attractions for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike.
This portion of our web guide focuses on the town of Airdrie, Scotland. Online resources for governmental agencies, services, industries, businesses, entertainment or recreational facilities or programmes, schools, medical facilities, or other entities or events in Airdrie are appropriate for this category.
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Recommended Resources
Founded in 1849, Airdrie Academy has moved twice and is currently located along South Commonhead Avenue in Airdrie, Scotland. The school has always been the senior secondary school in Airdrie, although it was nearly merged with Caldervale High in 2006, forestalled through vigorous lobbying. Its history, a statement of values, leadership, a school bulletin, departments, policies, documents, curriculum, qualifications, a photo gallery, and contacts are set forth.
https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/nl/airdrieacademy/
Situated on a plateau about 400 feet above sea level, Airdrie is a North Lanarkshire, Scotland town. The former coal mining and cotton milling town now serves as a commuter town, hosting historical and contemporary attractions for residents and visitors. This guide to the town advertises businesses, organizations, products, and services in Airdrie and offers opportunities for local marketers to reach Airdrie residents and those visiting the town. Member sites are highlighted on the site.
https://www.airdriedirect.uk/
Founded as a residential school for junior boys in 1970, the school has since developed a reputation for residential child care and education, a day services facility, and a mixed-gender service for young people aged ten to eighteen. In addition to its residential and education facilities, St. Philips also has a number of health and wellbeing sites across from the school, providing spaces and tools for young people to learn, develop, and keep active. Some of these are highlighted.
https://stphilipsschool.org.uk/
Situated in the Airdrie Health Centre on Graham Street, Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, Scotland, the medical clinic is part of NHS Scotland. Its location, contacts, and information on extended hours access, accessing health records, ordering repeat prescriptions, travel vaccines, test results, and booking appointments may be accomplished through the website, which includes an overview of the practice, self-help guides, NHS services, and health information.
https://tintopractice.gp.scot/
Originally known as the Black Bull Inn, the Tipsy Cow is on Alexander Street in Airdrie, Scotland. The address, a map showing its location, a telephone number, an email address, and social media links are posted on the site, and visitors may opt to sign up for a newsletter. The dining facility serves breakfast through to dinner. Its breakfast and kids menus are posted on the site, which includes drink menus, special offers, gift vouchers, a photo gallery, and online booking.
https://www.thetipsycowairdrie.com/
The family-run motor business offers various vehicle services, including tyres, MOT testing, brakes, exhausts, filters, air conditioning, steering, fleet servicing, and diagnostics. Its address, a map showing the shop's location, and an overview of its services, credentials, and availability. Client feedback is published on the website, and job openings are included, along with the skills required for the job, contact information, photos, and social media.
https://treadsgarage.com/
The Tudor Hotel, owned and operated by the Moylan family since 1997, is in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, Scotland, east of Glasgow. The address and contacts are provided, and its location is shown on a map. The family-run hotel features twenty bedrooms, catering to corporate guests, attendees of functions being held on the premises, and customers looking for a weekend getaway. Options include standard single rooms, premium single rooms, and standard double rooms.
https://www.tudorhotelairdrie.com/
