Wishaw is a large town in North Lanarkshire, Scotland, on the edge of the Clyde Valley. It lies about fifteen miles south-east of the Glasgow city centre.
Wishaw is part of the Motherwell and Wishaw urban area. Nearby towns include Motherwell to the north-west, Hamilton to the west, and Carluke to the south-east.
The area of Wishaw has been inhabited since ancient times. Roman roads ran through the area. What is now Wishaw's Main Street follows the course of an earlier Roman road. A pagan religious figuring discovered in the 1960s indicates that there was a settlement on or near the current town of Wishaw before Scotland was Christianised between 400 and 600 AD.
During the medieval era, a small church was established near the River Clyde, which became known as Cambusnethan. The site of this original church remains as a ruined burial ground. The courtyard is round, similar to those found in Wales and Ireland, suggesting that it could have been built on an earlier Celtic temple.
The Wishaw House, a large mansion that once served as the family seat of the Belhavens and Hamilton families, was constructed in 1665. Throughout its history, the structure was renovated and extendes several times. After the death of the 8th Lord of Belhaven in 1868, the building began a period of decline, culminating in its being demolished in 1957.
It is believed that the town was named for the Wishaw House. The name "Wishaw" may have derived from via shaw (way through the woods) or wee shaw (small wood). Another possibility is that it comes from wis (water) in medieval Scots, which would be a reference to "water wood."
In the 18th century, the area was primarily agricultural, and chiefly used for growing oats, although pears were also cultivated there. A Reformed Presbyterian Church congregation was established in 1792, and the village was laid out in 1794. Originally named Cambusnethan, it was later renamed Wishawtown.
The population of the village was about 500 in 1801. Lord Belhaven set up a distillery in the 1830s. The village's development accelerated in the 19th century with the growth of coal mining and steelmaking industries, along with foundries. Railways came through in the 1830s, and by the time the Caledonian Railway's main line came through in 1848, it was a major mining centre.
The Burgh of Wishaw was formed in 1855, incorporating the town with the villages of Coltness and Stewarton, bringing its population to about 5,000.
Saint Ignatius Parish Church was founded in 1859 on Young Street, where it remains today.
Wishaw's coal and steelmaking industries began a rapid decline in the late 20th century, leading to the closures of its steelworks and coal mines in the 1980s and 1990s.
Today, its economy is based primarily on retail, healthcare, small-scale manufacturing, and light engineering industries. The healthcare industry is also important to Wishaw, with University Hospital Wishaw being a major local employer.
Wishaw has several churches from various denominations. There are several Church of Scotland congregations, including the Wishaw Old Parish Church, the oldest building in the town and one of its principal landmarks, and South Wishaw Parish Church on the outskirts of the town centre. Wishaw also has a large Catholic population, largely descended from the Irish Catholics who fled the 1845-1852 Famine to settle in and around Glasgow.
An interesting neighborhood of Wishaw is the village of Wishawhill, near Craigneuk and Stable Wood in the northern part of the town. Characterised by its residential area, including a mix of flats and houses. The neighborhood is known for its community-oriented environment.
The focus of this portion of our guide is on the town of Wishaw, Scotland. Online resources for the town government or any other governmental entity located within the town, local businesses, industries, schools, churches, libraries, museums, organizations, sports and recreational programmes, activities, and events.
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The family-run business sells used cars from its Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, Scotland. In business for over forty-five years, the car dealership carries a wide but frequently changing range of makes and models, including Mercedes, Audi, Saab, BMW, and various family cars, diesel, estate, 4x4, prestige, sports, performance, and low-cost runabouts. Available vehicles are highlighted on its site, and an overview of its services, parts exchange, and finance options are included.
https://www.arthurhaslam.co.uk/
The Artisan Restaurant, on Main Street in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, Scotland, specialises in traditional Scottish cuisine. It caters to locals and visitors and features a variety of Scottish dishes with a contemporary flair. The establishment boasts a collection of over 1,300 whiskies. Its lunch menu, pre-theatre menu, evening menu, and weekend menu are published on the site, along with a list of its whiskies, its address, telephone number, email address, and hours are posted.
https://artisan-restaurant.com/
Located on Wishaw Road in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, Scotland, Duncan Caravans is a family-run company established in 1970. The company is a dealer for Bailey Caravans, Sprite Caravans, Swift Touring Caravans, and used caravans. Each caravan is appraised by the owner before being offered for sale. Duncans also stocks caravan parts, accessories, and Caravan Club and Camping and Caravanning Club membership packs. Its location, contacts, and showroom and workshop opening hours are posted.
http://www.duncancaravans.co.uk/
Elite Cars is an independent used vehicle dealership in Wishaw, Scotland. In operation for more than twenty-three years, the dealership sells a wide and frequently changing variety of makes and models, from practical and economical cars to luxury vehicles. The company is also a vehicle sourcing expert, and it is always looking for autos to trade, buy, and part exchange used cars for competitive prices. Financing may also be available. Its location, phone number, and email address are posted.
https://www.elitecars1.co.uk/
Friends of Cambusnethan Priory, The
Headquartered in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, Scotland, the "Friends of" organization was created in 2014 to save the Cambusnethan from further deterioration and the hope of returning it to its former glory. Also known as the Cambusnethan House, the Priory was designed by James Gillespie Graham and completed in 1820. Currently on the list of Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland, the Priory was damaged in a fire in the 1980s and has since been vandalized. Ongoing projects are reported.
https://www.cambusnethanpriory.com/
