{"id":1357,"date":"2019-10-28T11:33:24","date_gmt":"2019-10-28T11:33:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.fiveminutesspare.com\/travel\/?p=1357"},"modified":"2020-12-13T20:29:37","modified_gmt":"2020-12-13T20:29:37","slug":"hamilton-the-five-minute-spare-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fiveminutesspare.com\/travel\/hamilton-the-five-minute-spare-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Hamilton: The Five Minute Spare Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

That\u2019s Hamilton Scotland, not the more or less interesting (depending on your viewpoint) American or Australian ones\u2026<\/p>\n

Hamilton is (arguably) the biggest commercial centre in South Lanarkshire County. With an actual shopping centre, its own adventure swimming pool and the only nightclub for a few miles in any direction \u2013 it is one of the bigger towns in the Central Belt.<\/p>\n

\"Hamilton

Hamilton High Street just like any other but steeped in history.
Editorial credit: lennystan \/ Shutterstock.com<\/p><\/div>\n

There is a phrase in Scotland that we use to refer to a long length. When we say something is \u201cthe length of Leith Walk\u201d we are referring to the Leith Walk<\/a> in Edinburgh. This is one of the longest streets in Scotland and connects the port to the city centre. Anyway, we are getting off-topic.<\/p>\n

Hamilton has a history that is the length of Leith Walk. If you are spending any time there you should really familiarise yourself with it.<\/p>\n

Hamilton steeped in History – the length of Leith Walk<\/h2>\n

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Instead of doing our usual top 5 attractions of Hamilton, we wanted to talk about Hamilton\u2019s past. That way we can point you to the sights of interest as we go, then round up the modern attractions at the end. Hopefully, we will uncover some mystical stories of Hamilton of Olde. But this is Scotland, so it is more likely that the stories will be of rebellion and bloodshed\u2026<\/p>\n

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The Hamilton Clan and Town History (in Three Minutes)<\/h2>\n

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Yes, that\u2019s right; Hamilton is named for Clan Hamilton<\/a>, who owned it. All throughout the area, you can find traces of their history and remnants of their castles and houses. Oddly, the clan history is murky. There are branches of the clan everywhere. This points towards the clan having been an amalgamation of families who sought protection in one group\u2026 Not unlike how other lowland clans formed in response to consistent raids from the north.<\/p>\n

That being said, James Hamilton married Mary Stewart \u2013 a royal princess \u2013 in the fifteenth century. This marked the beginning of a long allegiance. It is thought the royal branch of the family is descended from Walter Fitz Gilbert of Cadzow. Fitz Gilbert governed Bothwell castle<\/a> on behalf of the English during the wars of independence. Later, he switched sides and joined Robert the Bruce.<\/p>\n

Bothwell Castle lies outside of town in nearby Uddingston. Definitely visit if you can. It is a centre for Historic Scotland<\/a> and, although it is a little ruined, it\u2019s still impressive.<\/p>\n

During the Wars of Independence<\/a>, Clan Cumming sided with the English. Bruce stripped them of their lands and awarded them to Clan Hamilton. This was the area of the Cadzow Estate that we now know as Hamilton town. Although they built on the land and a portion of the family remained there; the clan head moved to Arran. After this, a Hamilton would be present for the crowning of both King
\nJames IV and Mary Queen of Scots.<\/p>\n

The descendants of this Arran branch were named Marquess of Hamilton, were charged with the keeping of both Stirling<\/a> and Edinburgh<\/a> castles, and would occupy the first seat as Lord of Paisley. They also went on to support Bonnie Prince Charlie<\/a> during the Jacobite Rebellion<\/a>. The Duke of Hamilton was subsequently beheaded for his sins. Branches of the family remain but they thus fell from royal favour, as the Duke was killed in London by his king\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

Nowadays you can visit Hamilton Palace<\/a>, and the Palace Grounds extend to include shopping centres, a cinema and a night club\u2026 But the old world is still there if you know where to look. Hamilton Palace is the largest non-royal residence in Britain. That should tell you all you need to know about how important this family was.<\/p>\n

Drop by the Mausoleum<\/a>, where the former clan members were entombed. It is free to visit although you can\u2019t get inside without paying for the tour. We would suggest that if you are in the area on the first and third Sunday of each month you book a tour.<\/p>\n

\"Mausoleum

The Mausoleum in Hamilton
Image: lennystan\/Shutterstock.com<\/p><\/div>\n

In Hamilton with Kids?<\/h2>\n

So perhaps you have come to have a fun day out in Hamilton, and not to have an educational tour. In that case, there are loads of things to do. Check out Chatelherault Country Park<\/a> where there is a free adventure playground. Loads of hikes, and an old (properly haunted) manor house you can tour. It stretches all the way to Calderglen Zoo in East Kilbride<\/a>\u2026 the woodland is around 500 acres with the River Clyde passing straight through.<\/p>\n

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The Labyrinth Garden at the Back of Chatelherault House is well worth a visit
Editorial credit: lennystan \/ Shutterstock.com<\/p><\/div>\n

Did we mention Hamilton has its own theme park? Well, it does. It\u2019s called M & D\u2019s<\/a> and it is one of the very few Scottish theme parks that didn\u2019t die in the recession. It\u2019s also set inside Strathclyde Park<\/a>, which has its own loch, marina, and walks. There is also the Water Palace<\/a> for a day of swimming and flumes, the cinema, and plenty of places to eat in the Palace Grounds shopping area.<\/p>\n

Where to Eat, Drink or Party in Hamilton?<\/h2>\n

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As we mentioned above, you can have a good dance at the Hamilton Palace<\/a> (everything in Hamilton is called the Palace) but the local joke is that you have to wipe your feet on the way out. For fine dining try Gusti D\u2019Italia<\/a> on Townhead Street. Carrigan\u2019s<\/a> offers a nice family-friendly pub meal if that\u2019s your preference.<\/p>\n

Other Notable Attractions<\/h2>\n

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There is a bunch of other stuff to get up to in Hamilton, besides drinking in the 500 acres of woodland.<\/p>\n

Some free things to do in Hamilton:<\/p>\n