Douglas is a small village in Clydesdale in South West Scotland. Historically in Lanarkshire, it stands on A70, the old highway between Ayr and Edinburgh, nowadays a narrow road through a scenic valley. Its name in Gaelic is Dùbhghlas, "dark stream" - the river is dark with moorland peat as it tumbles north to join the Clyde - and this is a very common placename. The village grew up around Douglas Castle, first built in the 13th century and wrecked and rebuilt several times. The final incarnation was a grandiose mansion built from 1757 and never completed. In the 20th century the 13th Earl encouraged local coal mining, the mansion became undermined and down it all came.
Get in
Junction 12 of the M72.
Closest rail station is Lanark.
Get around
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See
- 1 Cameronian Monument. A memorial to the Cameronian Regiment of the British Army, which was first raised in Douglas.
- 2 Douglas Castle. Located to the north-east of the village, the ruins of Douglas Castle lie near Stable Lake on the Douglas and Angus estate. All that remains of the twelfth century castle is a turret and a small section of the cellar. The ruins are a category C listed building.
Do
Buy
Eat
- 1 St Bride's Centre, Braehead, ML11 0PT, ☏ 44 1555 850019, ✉[email protected]. A community centre featuring a café.
Drink
- 1 The Scrib Tree, 1 Colliers Court, ☏ 44 1555 851262. Coffee shop
Sleep
- 1 Kilchoman Bed and Breakfast, 14 Addison Gardens, ML11 0PW, ☏ 44 7831 537702, fax: 44 1555 850110.
- 2 Days Inn Abington, Welcome Break Srvc Area (J13 M74), ☏ 44 1864 502782.
Stay safe
In an emergency, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the service required. An ambulance is stationed within Douglas, and there is a fire station in the village. The closest police station is in Lesmahagow, approximately seven miles away.
Crime in Douglas is generally not a problem, however you should remain with your belongings at all times and always lock vehicles. If you witness or are the victim of a crime, you should report it to the police immediately.
There is a doctor's surgery, Douglasdale Medical Practice, on the main road with a pharmacy nearby. There is also a hospital with a minor injury unit on the approach to the village, but the closest hospital with a full accident and emergency department is Wishaw General, approximately twenty miles away.
Respect
The people of Douglas are generally tolerant and respectful, welcoming all visitors. However, homophobia remains a problem in the area and same-sex couples are advised not to engage in public displays of affection. The United Kingdom's equality legislation makes it illegal for someone to discriminate against on a person based on their race, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, etc. If you encounter any form of discrimination, it can be reported to the Police by calling 101 from any telephone or by visiting a local Police station.
Go next
- New Lanark is a remarkably well-preserved 18th century mill village.
- West through the valley is Ayrshire, and Alloway near Ayr is the birthplace of the poet Robert Burns.
| Routes through Douglas |
| Glasgow ← Lesmahagow ← | NW  SE | → Lockerbie → Manchester |
| Ayr ← Cumnock ← | W  NE | → Lanark → Edinburgh |