Kirkintilloch 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Kirkintilloch was a place of importance in Roman times, when a fort was established there on the east-west barrier across Scotland, nowadays known as "The Antonine Wall". This was constructed around 142AD as a boundary line between Roman civilization and wilder territory not under permanent Roman control. For a short period it replaced the more southerly "Hadrian's Wall". The departure of the Romans was followed by a Dark Age when little is known of Kirkintilloch's history, although the name "Kirkintilloch," in its original form of Caerpentaloch "The Fort at the Head of the Ridge," dates from this period. Light began to dawn again during the twelfth century, when the prominent Comyn family established a castle in central Kirkintilloch, with a parish church to the south (at the locality now occupied by the Old Aisle Cemetery). The Burgh of Kirkintilloch was created in the year 1211, (although it was 1938 when an official grant of arms was granted by the Lord Lyon ) and a local market was held weekly thereafter.

In medieval times Kirkintilloch was situated on an important highway between Glasgow and the east, and indeed the town's axis lay very much on an east-west alignment at that time - West High Street, High Street and Eastside. A bridge over the Luggie was established at an early date, and was of vital importance in keeping the highway open in bad weather. The parish church was moved from the Old Aisle to central Kirkintilloch in 1644. Improved transport links in the form of the Forth and Clyde Canal (1773) and the pioneer Monkland and Kirkintilloch Railway (1826) led to the establishment of important new industries - cotton, weaving, Iron Founding and boat building. During the twentieth century these all faded away, but there was an attempt to replace them with new ones during the period of Glasgow Overspill, around 1960. This met with only limited success, but the Overspill project resulted in the construction of many homes, both in the rented and private sectors, with a consequent increase in the population of the ancient burgh.

The Auld Kirk at Kirkintilloch Cross dates from 1644 and is one of Kirkintilloch's oldest buildings. Until 1914 it served as the parish church, but in that year the new St. Mary's Church was opened at the other end of Cowgate, to take its place. The Auld Kirk was then used as a Sunday School. Since 1961 it has been the town museum. The nearby Barony Chambers was erected in 1814-15 and formerly served as the town hall, council chambers, court house, school and jail. Today it serves as offices for East Dunbartonshire Leisure & Culture Trust's Museum Service.

Have you ever wondered about the history behind the Old Aisle Cemetery Watch-Tower in Kirkintilloch? Check out a new leaflet on the building, which benefited from works as a result of funding from Historic Environment Scotland

[KryptonitetoallBS]

My memories include Jack's sports shop across from the old police station, Westermains Tennis Club RIP, Hayston Golf Club, Ghiloni's Cafe, Fine Fare, Dinardo's Chippy in Eastside, Donnellys, Caprice, Caspers, the snooker club down on the Industrial Estate and another one just along from Cunningham's Chemist, The chippy @ townhead and table tennis tables on the park across from the old swimming baths! Sadly Kirky never felt like it had a boom period, certainly not while I was there in the 70's and 80's. Maybe I missed that period when the Foundries were prospering, building post boxes and phone boxes. I always thought the best part of Kirky was the view on a nice day out to The Campsies.

[davidwilson]

My grandfather was Willie Williamson who had a barber shop for many years. He still had gas lighting in his shop and he worked on until he was around 90 years old.

[Patricia-hwyh]

Peel park is an amazing place and the main street I live close to there

[TheAverageYouCuber]

Well done guys, nice little scenic video of Kirkintilloch you have there which as we know but nevertheless it's interesting to highlight that the town has gone by many similar sounding names over the century's such as "Kirkintulach" "Caerpentaloch" or more commonly simplified to just that of "Kirky" just to name a few since the construction of the Antonine Wall named after Antoninus Pius! Here's hoping that Kirkintilloch will benefit massively from coming investment packages more likely after those Covid lockdown ordeals and knightmares come to an end touch wood. Hopefully this will pave the way for new business start ups include revised and relaxed corporation tax rates for new business start-ups!