For the locality in Marlborough, New Zealand, see Rai Valley. Coordinates: 55°44′01″N 3°50′03″W / 55.73369, -3.83427
The town of Carluke (Gaelic: Cathair MoLuaig) lies in the heart of the Lanarkshire countryside in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, 5.4 miles northwest of Lanark and 5 miles South-East of Wishaw.
Carluke is largely a commuting town, with a variety of small stores and supermarkets available at its centre. The surrounding villages of Braidwood, Forth, Kilncadzow, and Law are supported by the various shops and services available in Carluke.
History
In a charter by Robert I, dated 1315, Carluke is written "Carneluk"; at different periods it appears as Carlowck, Carlowk, Carluk, Carlook, Carlouk and Carluke. Car or Caer tells us that it is a height or strong position and Luke suggests that it may be dedicated to the saint of that name, however there is evidence that the earliest church was dedicated to St. Andrew.
The town was chartered as a Royal Burgh in 1662[3]. Carluke expanded during through the industrial age, with work involving corn milling, cotton weaving, coal mining and the manufacture of bricks, glass, confectionery and jam.
Notable figures
The town has the distinction of being home to three gallant recipients of the Victoria Cross, and is the birthplace of General William Roy. Carluke was also famous for being the home of Scott's jam, which was recently downsized, and subsequently bought over. Also in Carluke for over 150 years Ramsay of Carluke have been producing quality bacon and are one of Rick Stein's food heroes. The inventor of Slush Puppies previously stayed on West Avenue. Dougie Arnott, a former striker for Motherwell F.C. currently resides in Carluke.
Present Day
Carluke town centre has been subject to a £2.35million redevelopment project[4]. Carluke's High Street, after many years of pedestrianisation, vehicular traffic is now permitted one-way, albeit at restricted times to the general public.
Education
The town currently has five primary schools: Carluke Primary [1], High Mill Primary [2], Kirkton Primary [3], Crawforddyke Primary [4], and St Athanasius Primary [5], all of which are in the process of being rebuilt or refurbished. Secondary education is provided by Carluke High School, which also serves Law village and Forth. Carluke High School has also been rebuilt on its current site.
In addition Carluke is home to a state funded Special School, Victoria Park The school serves the whole of South Lanarkshire Council and provides education for primary and secondary pupils aged 3 to 18 with special educational needs.
Sport
The Town also has its own rugby league side, the Carluke Tigers, as well as a Junior football team Carluke Rovers.
Transport Links
The town has frequent direct train links to Glasgow (via Motherwell) and Lanark, running twice hourly most days.
Two trains per day are bound for North Berwick (via Haymarket), and a further two services per day terminate at Carstairs Junction.
See also
References
External links
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