Libberton

Libberton
Libberton Parish Church, seen from the south-east, built 1812
Libberton Location within South Lanarkshire
Civil parish	Libberton
Council area	South Lanarkshire
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Police	Scotland
Fire	Scottish
Ambulance	Scottish

Libberton is a village and historical parish in South Lanarkshire.[1] The village is approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) north of Quothquan and 2.3 miles (3.68 km) south-east of Carnwath. The nearest rivers are the South Medwyn River, the North Medwyn River and the River Clyde which lies the east of the village.[2]

History

Libberton Parish Church front view.

There are several prehistoric Hillforts in the area, including West Whitecastle. However, over centuries, West Whitecatle has been extensively disturbed by ploughing and tree planting.[3] A carved stone dating to the late 13th or early 14th century has also been found within the fort at West Whitecastle Farm (just to the west) of Libberton.[4][5] A camp earthwork with a circular enclosure lies to the east of the village at Bowmuir.[6] Another earthwork is also near Libberton at Craigieburn. A polished greenstone axe was found there circa 1900 and this was purchased by the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland.[7]

Libberton has a long history as an agricultural settlement.[2] In 1660, the village was incorporated as a parish with Quothquan.[2] Much of the parish was historically owned by the Lords Dalzell before being sold to Sir George Lockhart in 1676.[2]

In 1811, the population of the village was recorded as 749 and by 1831 this had risen to 773.[2] There were two Smithies in the town, the buildings are now in residential use.[8][9]

In 1854, Liberton Mains farmhouse was built.[10] The adjacent housing development at Libberon Mains was built after 2007 following an archeological survey. The surrounding area has several Cropmarks.[11]

The village red telephone box is of the K6 design. It dates to 1935 and is Category B listed.[12]

Church

Libberton parish church was built in 1812.[2][13] The church is a congregation of the Church of Scotland.[14] The church interior was refurbished in 1902.[13] The 2 story manse was built in 1824 and is also Category B listed.[15] In 1892, a medieval bronze cauldron was found near the Church and is now in the National Museum of Scotland.[16]

Education

Libberton Primary School is located just outside the village on the Muir road to Quothquan.[17][18]

References

1. "Parish of Libberton". The Gazetteer for Scotland. School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh and The Royal Scottish Geographical Society. Archived from the original on 21 April 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
2. The New Statistical Account of Scotland. Blackwod and Sons. 1845. pp. 42–48.
3. Historic Environment Scotland. "West Whitecastle (48963)". Canmore. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
4. Davidson, J (1977). "Note on a carved stone found within the fort on West Whitecastle Farm, Libberton, Lanarkshire". Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. 108: 383–384. Archived from the original on 19 February 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
5. Historic Environment Scotland. "West Whitecastle Farm (48980)". Canmore. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
6. Historic Environment Scotland. "Bowmuir (48962)". Canmore. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
7. Historic Environment Scotland. "Libberton Earthwork (47681)". Canmore. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
8. Historic Environment Scotland. "Libberton, Smithy (151304)". Canmore. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
9. Historic Environment Scotland. "Libberton, Old Smithy (47675)". Canmore. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
10. Historic Environment Scotland. "Libberton Mains (200003)". Canmore. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
11. Historic Environment Scotland. "Libberton Mains (146058)". Canmore. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
12. Historic Environment Scotland. "K6 TELEPHONE KIOSK ON B7106 NEAR LIBBERTON (Category B Listed Building) (LB7380)". Retrieved 19 February 2022.
13. Historic Environment Scotland. "PARISH CHURCH AND GRAVEYARD (Category B Listed Building) (LB7374)". Retrieved 19 February 2022.
14. "Home Page". Libberton and Quothquan Parish Church. Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
15. Historic Environment Scotland. "LIBBERTON HOUSE (Category B Listed Building) (LB7375)". Retrieved 19 February 2022.
16. Historic Environment Scotland. "Libberton Church (47685)". Canmore. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
17. "Libberton Primary School". South Lanarkshire Council. Archived from the original on 23 August 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
18. "Home Page". Libberton Primary School. Archived from the original on 17 April 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2022.