Cleland: Mining history, church and routes

Cleland has a heritage shaped by coal mining, a history of church building and a personal connection to Sydney Devine. Two routes with Cleland as their destination add an active travel dimension to this local history. Cleland railway station is on Bellshill Road in Cleland, North Lanarkshire. When looking for a holiday rental, you can weigh up whether you are more interested in the area’s history or would like to factor the different route lengths into your travel plans.

Mining and church building

By 1763, the first coal mine in what is now Cleland was operating at Swinstie. At the same time, the land on which present-day Cleland stands belonged to the Cleland family estate. Together, these details offer two different insights into the past: the mine represents industrial use at a specific location, while the estate reflects the land’s earlier ownership. The area’s history therefore extends beyond individual buildings and encompasses both the landscape and its work.

The Former Cleland Church of Scotland was built in Cleland in 1877/78. H & D Barclay designed it in a simple Gothic style. Here, simple describes a restrained expression, while Gothic identifies the architectural style. The building’s history adds a perspective distinct from the area’s industrial past, with its construction date and architecture taking centre stage.

In 1929, the Former Cleland Church of Scotland united with the original Free Church. The original Free Church was converted into the Colville Memorial Hall. This distinction is useful for understanding the area’s history: the name Memorial Hall belongs to the conversion of the original Free Church, while the Former Cleland Church refers to the building erected in 1877/78. The two churches therefore have different historical roles.

A personal connection to Cleland

A plaque in front of Cleland Primary School commemorates Sydney Devine. He was born in Cleland in January 1940 and attended school there as a boy. His biography connects the name on the plaque with two specific stages of his life: his birth and school years in the area. This personal story adds another way of exploring local history alongside the themes of mining and church building.

Two routes of different lengths

Route N covers 1.7 kilometres from Calder Bridge, north of Wishaw, to Cleland and follows Core Path 269. Route U covers 2.9 kilometres from Carfin to Cleland and partly follows Core Path 268. Route N is therefore 1.2 kilometres shorter; the routes also differ in their stated starting points and path references. Comparing them gives you the lengths and routes as practical guides for your planning. Check the current condition of the paths before setting out on a walk.

The different themes make it easy to choose based on your personal interests: would you mainly like to explore Cleland’s local history, or include one of the listed routes in your stay? You can connect your search for a holiday rental in Cleland with the question of which aspect of the area matters most to your trip.

Discover more destinations: Bellshill, Gartcosh, Chryston, Stepps, Coatbridge, Cumbernauld, Kilsyth, Wishaw.

For the wider travel overview: North Lanarkshire.