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East Kilbride
Gaelic: Cille Bhrighde an Ear
East Kilbride takes its name from an Irish saint, St Bride (or Brigit). The original parish church was located on the site of a pre-Christian sacred well, which is possibly the origin of the association with St. Brigit, since the well was dedicated to the Celtic goddess whose traditions the reverence of St. Brigit continued.
East Kilbride grew from a small village of around 900 inhabitants in 1930 to become eventually a large burgh part of Greater Glasgow. The area of Calderglen was in the past celebrated as a picturesque wooded valley. It was the home of the Maxwells of Calderwood who resided in Calderwood Castle. The remnants of Calderwood Castle were demolished in 1951.
The oystercatcher bird is present on the coat of arms because this bird was considered sacred to both St. Brigit and her pre-Christian antecedent.
Choose from one of the East Kilbride tartans listed below:
