Strathclyde Region takes up the western part of central Scotland. The region covers 5,350 square miles (13,850 square kilometers)–about one-sixth of Scotland’s total land area. Scotland’s biggest city, Glasgow, dominates the region. Glasgow lies on the River Clyde in the middle of the region. The Gaelic language is still spoken in a few parts in the northwest section of the region. Glasgow has several thousand Gaelic speakers. In recent years, an increasing number of Scots have been learning Gaelic as a second language.
Economy.
Glasgow’s port stimulated the growth of local tobacco and cotton textile industries. Shipbuilding developed along the River Clyde during the late 1700’s. Today, Glasgow is a broadcasting, commercial, and financial center. It is also a center of high-technology engineering activities and biomedical research. The city manufactures electronic products, including computers. Some of the other industries in the region produce aircraft and marine engines, baked goods, chemicals, clothing, plastics, and whisky.
Agriculture plays a small but important part in Strathclyde’s economy. In the lowland areas, farmers mainly produce dairy goods. Upland farmers raise sheep and beef cattle. On the islands and along the western coast, some crofters (owners or tenants of a small farm) combine fishing with farming.
Tourism is important in the Highland and upland parts of the region. Along the Clyde coast, seaside resorts serve people who live in the Glasgow area.
Land.
Strathclyde Region includes many islands, the largest of which are Mull, Islay, Jura, and Arran. The region contains parts of each of Scotland’s three main structural divisions. The divisions are the Highlands, the Southern Uplands, and between these, the fault valley of the Central Lowlands. The Highland area has magnificent wild scenery, with peaks more than 3,300 feet (1,000 meters) high. The Southern Uplands have lower, more rounded hills, and are heavily forested. The Lowland area lies mainly below about 400 feet (120 meters). The coastline has long, deep inlets, such as Loch Fyne and Loch Long. In places, the land meets the sea in high, almost vertical, cliffs.
The only major river is the Clyde, which lies entirely within the region. The largest body of fresh water is Loch Lomond, which lies along the region’s border with Central Region.
History.
The Romans arrived in the region in about A.D. 80. They discovered a well-established kingdom of Britons in the region. The Romans established the Antonine Wall, from the Clyde to the Forth, as a frontier. They withdrew in 185 and made their frontier at Hadrian’s Wall, farther south.
Saint Kentigern brought Christianity to the area in the 500’s. According to tradition, he founded a cathedral by the Molendinar stream. The town that grew around the cathedral was Glasgow. In 553, Saint Columba, also known as Saint Colmcille, established a famous community on the island of Iona.
For many centuries, Strathclyde Region was overshadowed by the dominance of Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh. One historic incident was the final defeat of Mary, Queen of Scots, which occurred at the Battle of Langside in 1568.
After the Act of Union of 1707, the region became increasingly involved in trade with North America and the West Indies. A period of industrial and commercial expansion began.
After 1745, English troops forced many Highlanders from their homes. Some Highlanders emigrated to North America and others settled in Glasgow. From this time onward, Glasgow and the surrounding towns grew steadily in size.
