Coatbridge

Industrial History

The town of Coatbridge lies east of Glasgow, in North Lanarkshire and has strong links with Lanarkshires industrial heritage.

Ironstone was found in profusion in the area around Coatbridge making the town a home for several ironworks.

By 1869, nationalisation of the industry had started, and the Gartsherrie Ironworks had become the largest in Scotland. By 1885, when Coatbridge achieved Burgh status, the population had increased to around 25,000.

The present-day street layout of the town centre was largely influenced by the planning of the Baird family who owned one of the town's largest ironworks.

Family Days Out in Coatbridge

For more information and an exciting look at the Industrial History of Lanarkshire and Scotland, the Scottish Museum of Industrial Heritage at Summerlee is a must see and offers a fun day out for all the family.

Experience a ride on one of Scotland's only operational electic trams, go down the mine and see how our coal was obtained, and visit the traditional homes and see how people lived in the 19th and early 20th Century.

Also, the Time Capsule offers a fun packed day for families with ice skating and hockey at Ice Age; the Waterworld leisure fun pool takes the bather through a landscape of steam, tidal waves, geysers, canals, waterfalls, a volcano, prehistoric monsters and plants, and of course the flumes and rubber rings rides in the pools.