East Kilbride - old and new

East Kilbride has grown from a small village into a busy modern town. This page gives you an overview of how the town developed and where you can explore its past today.

Early beginnings

East Kilbride’s story starts over a thousand years ago. Archaeologists have found ancient graves, Roman coins and other items that show people lived here long before the village was recorded in writing. The name comes from St Bride, whose followers brought Christianity to Scotland. “Kil” means “church”, so Kilbride means “church of St Bride”.

The first written records appear in the 12th century, when the land was gifted to Roger de Valoins. Over the centuries, ownership passed to well-known families, including the Comyns, the Bruces, the Stewarts and the Lindsays.

Changing times

In the 1600s and 1700s the area played a role in Scotland’s religious struggles, including the Covenanters’ battles. Kilbride later became East Kilbride to avoid confusion with West Kilbride in Ayrshire. Markets and fairs grew, including the famous Cattle Show, which continues in the Show Park today.

The Village area still holds many historic buildings. These include the Old Parish Church and the Montgomerie Arms, once a busy coaching inn. You can also find older homes such as Rose Mound and visit the birthplace of the Hunter brothers, famous surgeons whose work shaped modern medicine.

Writers have also left their mark on the town. George Orwell spent time in Hairmyres Hospital in the 1940s and wrote part of his novel 1984 while recovering there.

Becoming a new town

In 1947 East Kilbride was chosen as Scotland’s first new town. Plans were drawn up to create homes, schools, parks and workspaces for people moving from Glasgow. New neighbourhoods grew around a central shopping area, with industry placed at the edges of the town.

By the 1990s most residents owned their homes, and new housing estates continued to expand the town. The Development Corporation closed in 1996 after completing its work.

Find out more

You can discover local history at the Hunter House Museum and through community groups in the Village.