North Lanarkshire is a county located in the central belt of Scotland. It is bordered by the counties of East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, Stirling, South Lanarkshire, and the City of Glasgow. It is one of 32 council areas of Scotland and its administrative centre is Motherwell. North Lanarkshire is steeped in history, and has a rich and diverse past.
Early History
The earliest known inhabitants of North Lanarkshire were the Picts, who settled in the area around the 5th century AD. The area was then inhabited by the Britons until the Romans invaded in the first century AD. The Romans built a number of forts, roads, and settlements in the area, which included the fort at Castlecary.
The area was then invaded by the Angles in the 6th century AD, and it became part of the Kingdom of Northumbria. North Lanarkshire was then part of the Kingdom of Strathclyde from the 9th century AD until the 11th century, when it was annexed by the Kingdom of Scotland.
Medieval History
In the 12th century, North Lanarkshire was divided into the baronies of Bothwell and Cadzow. The barony of Bothwell was granted to Walter fitz Gilbert in 1177, and it was later passed on to the Maxwell family. The barony of Cadzow was granted to David I of Scotland in 1140, and it was later passed on to the Hamilton family.
The area was then divided into the parishes of Bothwell, Cadzow, and Hamilton. In the 14th century, the parishes were held by the Hamilton, Bothwell, and Boyd families.
Modern History
In the 19th century, North Lanarkshire became an important industrial area. It was home to a number of coal mines, ironworks, and steelworks. The area also became a major centre for textile production.
In 1975, North Lanarkshire was created as one of the nine districts of the Strathclyde region. The district was then divided into the four unitary authorities of North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, East Dunbartonshire, and West Dunbartonshire in 1996.
Today, North Lanarkshire is a vibrant and diverse county. It is home to a number of towns and villages, including Motherwell, Airdrie, Coatbridge, Bellshill, and Wishaw. It also has a number of parks, forests, and nature reserves, including Strathclyde Country Park and Chatelherault Country Park.
North Lanarkshire is also home to a number of historical sites, such as the ruins of Bothwell Castle, Cadzow Castle, and Hamilton Palace. It is also home to the National Mining Museum Scotland, which is dedicated to the history of coal mining in Scotland.