Erskine

Erskine ("Arasgain" in Scottish Gaelic) is a commuter town in Renfrewshire, Scotland, located on the southern bank of the River Clyde at the western extent of the Greater Glasgow conurbation. It neighbours Renfrew, Bishopton, Inchinnan and Paisley and is located near Glasgow International Airport.

History

Archeological evidence states that agricultural activity took place within the area as far back as 3000 BC and that it has been inhabited by humans since 1000 BC.

In the late 1700s, Erskine was a hamlet. During this time, stone quays were constructed to support a ferry service to Old Kilpatrick and Dumbartonshire. This replaced the river ford which had been in place since Medieval times.

In light of increased industry and infrastructure in the surrounding area, it gradually became a village in the following century. The small church community grew to having 3000 residents in 1961, when Renfrewshire Council unveiled its' "New Community" plan for the town's development.

The development began in 1971 with the building of both privately-owned and rented accommodation which boosted the town's population by around 10,000. Having established itself as a thriving commuter town, the 1990s saw the building of larger and more expensive housing, aimed at more affluent property buyers.

Due to apprehension about further expansion of the town, several proposals for further large housing developments have been rejected. This is largely due to the fact that the town has only one high school.

Areas

The town consists of five main residential areas, Park Mains (built in 1970s), Bargarran (built in 1970s), Linburn (built in 1980s), Millfield (built in 1980s) and Garnieland (built in 1990s) and Freelands (built in 2000's).

ites of Interest

Erskine is generally synonymous with the suspension bridge towering high over the western limit of the town, the Erskine Bridge.

The town is home to the Erskine Hospital; a facility providing long-term care for veterans of the British Armed forces. The hospital opened in 1916 and in 2000, moved to two new, purpose built sites within the town.

Erskine also boasts the unique natural habitat of Newshot Island Nature Reserve, a salt marsh which juts out into the River Clyde. Contrary to its' name, it is now a peninsula,created from silt left over from the widening and deepening of the river in the 1930s, connected the island to Erskine.

The nature reserve acts as a feeding a nesting point for a wide array of migratory birds travelling to and from regions such as North America, Siberia and West Africa.

chools

Erskine has five primary schools: Rashielea, Bargarran and Barsail and the Catholic schools St John Bosco and St Anne's.

The town's high school, Park Mains, is the largest school in Renfrewshire county, and one of the biggest in Scotland with over 1,400 students. The school is to receive a council refurbishment from 2008 onwards.

Retail/Leisure facilities

The majority of Erskine retail and leisure facilities are located within the towns Bridgewater complex.

It is home to a newly built supermarket (Morrisons), bakery, newsagent, two restaurants, opticians, doctors surgery, two hardware stores, bookmakers, salon, a swimming pool, bank and a public library. On the riverside at this area, there are several recently built office blocks

The area has two main recently constructed sporting facilities; the two million pound Erskine Community Sports Centre and the £600,000 astroturf football pitch at the High School. These are complemented by the town's numerous playing fields.

There is also a smaller retail area in the Bargarran area, where there are a few shops and restaurants as well as a community centre.

Nightlife

There are 3 Local Pubs: the Park Mains, the Eriskyne and Jade's. The town is a very close and easy link for clubs and pubs in Paisley, Renfrew or Glasgow City Centre.

Name Origins

The name "Erskine" derives from the Scottish Gaelic phrase; "Ard Sescenn", meaning "High Marsh". The area was first identified as "Erskin" in 1225.

Famous residents

*Douglas Alexander, Member of Parliament
*Wendy Alexander, Leader of Scottish Labour and Member of Scottish Parliament
*James Sheridan, another Member of Parliament
*John MacKay, Journalist
*Dougie Vipond, "Deacon Blue" drummer and broadcaster
*Stephen Philip Donnelly, "Film Director" Lived in Erskine 1978 - 1988.
*Jimmy Reid, journalist and trade union activist
*John McArthur, Union general during the American Civil War.
*Eileen Catterson, Miss Scotland 1988
*John Smeaton (baggage handler), Scottish Personality

External links

* [http://www.inchinnan.org.uk/history/people/jimmy_monson.htm A Personal Account Of Erskine In The 1930s.]