The current estimated population is 8,000. The town was granted a royal charter in 1450, making it a
burgh of barony. The
A71, which connects
Edinburgh and
Irvine, passes through the town.
The settlement within the lands of Strathaven became a
burgh of barony in 1450.[4] The centre of the town is occupied by the market square, formerly a grassed common, and still known as Common Green, or just 'The Green'. Linking the town and the castle is the old 'Boo Backit Brig' ('bow-backed bridge'), a small arched bridge.[5]
The Old Parish Church, with its landmark spire, was built in 1772, and was the place of worship of the
Dukes of Hamilton, who had a section of the church reserved for them.[6]
The town played a significant part in the
Radical War of 1820, when
James Wilson led a band of radicals on a march to Glasgow, to join a rumoured general uprising, which never actually happened. Wilson was hanged for treason.[7]
Its most famous 'modern' resident was the singer, Sir
Harry Lauder (1870–1950) whose mansion, Lauder Ha', or Hall, was just above the town on the road to Kilmarnock. Sir Harry spent the Second World War years there, and died in February 1950.[8]
Dungavel House on the outskirts of Strathaven was the place where German Deputy Führer,
Rudolf Hess, originally intended to land on the evening of 10 May 1941 in a misguided attempt to seek peace talks with
the Duke of Hamilton. However bad weather and poor navigation resulted in Hess having to land at Floors Farm in
Eaglesham.[9]
In 2002, Strathaven was granted the title of Scotland's First Fairtrade Town[10] (jointly with Aberfeldy) under the leadership of Paulo Quadros, chair of the first Fairtrade group in Scotland.[10]
The
A71, which connects
Edinburgh and
Irvine passes through the town. The
A723 links Strathaven to Hamilton and the
A726 links it to East Kilbride, and further onto Glasgow. As part of South Lanarkshire, the town is in the
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport area.[16]
Former railway stations
Strathaven had, at various times, three railway stations.
Strathaven North, a terminal station on the Hamilton and Strathaven Branch of the Caledonian Railway, opened in October 1904, closed temporarily during
World War I; and closed completely in 1953.[18]
Strathaven Airfield is home to a
microlight flying school, which operates both the traditional-style weightshift microlights and the light aircraft-style ones, and the new airfield manager's house was featured on Channel 4's Grand Designs in October 2013.[20] There are approximately 35 aircraft – both light aircraft and microlights – hangared at Strathaven in two modern purpose-built hangars. The airfield is also home to an annual local music festival, HangarFest. The airfield was set up on the old Couplaw Farm, which The Scottish Flying Club Ltd bought in May 1964. The club had begun flying in 1927 at the old Renfrew Airport[21] but was left homeless after Renfrew was nationalised in 1946. Strathaven Airfield was given to the
RAF Benevolent Fund in 1974 and then sold privately in 2005. It has three grass runways, the main runway is oriented 09/27 (east-west) and is 530 m long (with a 100 m starter extension on 27 available on request). The airfield co-ordinates in the UK Air Pilot ENR 5.5-17 are: 554049N 0040654W.[22]
Education
There are 7 primary schools in and around Strathaven, Chapelton Primary School, Gilmourton Primary School, Kirklandpark Primary School, Sandford Primary School, St Patrick's Primary School and Wester Overton Primary School
Strathaven contains six churches[23] including three Church of Scotland parishes: Avendale Old (built in 1772) linked with Drumclog Parish Church,[24] Strathaven Rankin linked with Chapelton Parish Church,[25] and East Parish Church (built in 1777) linked with Glassford Parish Church.[26]
The only Catholic Church in the town is St Patrick's Catholic Church (built in 1863).[27]
There is an active ecumenical body, consisting of six churches in the area (five within the town, one nearby), named "Hope Strathaven", which work together bringing a mix of community projects that reflect faith and service.[28]
Sport
Strathaven is home to several sports clubs, which include
Strathaven Rugby Club which has a
3G, all-weather pitch.[29]
David Fernández, Spanish footballer who spent most of his career in Scotland playing for clubs including
Celtic and
Kilmarnock, lived in Strathaven[35]
James Mackinnon Fowler, Australian politician and founding member of the Victorian Socialist League, born in Strathaven[36]