There are few villages in Scotland, if not the world, which can that they are named after the legendary giant. However, the town of Shotts, which lies between Glasgow and Edinburgh, gains it name from the historical giant, and former resident, Bertram de Shotts. Although he was seen as a merciless thug, Bertram de Shotts leant his name to the town he used to terrorise.
Shotts was, historically, an important coach town, which grew with the improving trade routes between, the village truly started to grow at the start of the 19th century. During this period of growth, as her surrounding area provided great resources for the production of Iron, the village expanded.
As with other small towns in the Central Lowlands, the discovery of useful natural resources not only created a booming industry for Shotts, but lead to an influx of immigrant workers. As with other North Lanarkshire towns, their proximity to the West Coast of Scotland led to this influx being of Irish immigrants.
With the industrial power of Shotts growing, the phrase “Shotts Lights The World” became commonplace. This is due to the export of gas lamp standards that were made in Shotts and exported worldwide.
Shotts is no longer known as a centre of industry, but for its high security prison complex, which lies between her two towns of Dykehead and Salsburgh.
In modern times, Shotts has been known as a commuter town, since the demand for industry has dwindled, as with much of Scotland. As the town lies between Glasgow and Edinburgh, many of her 9,000 inhabitants choose to travel to work in either of these locations.
© Ciaran Mackie 2009
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