“The Red Glen.” That’s what An Ruadh-Ghleann means in Scottish Gaelic. This name echoes through the history of Rutherglen. We stand at the corner of Main Street. It was once a bustling venue. Castle markets and horse fairs filled this space. Mill Street, leading to the town mill, completes the picture.
An Ruadh-Ghleann is more than just a name. It is believed to be the source of the name Rutherglen itself. There’s another theory. It suggests the area was a settlement. It belonged to Reuther, an ancient King of Scotland. He supposedly ruled between 213 and 187 BC.
King David I created Rutherglen a royal burgh in 1126. It was one of the oldest in Scotland. The town once boasted one of the mightiest fortresses in the country. Tradition says Rutherglen was named after King Reuther. He gave his name to “a fertile glen for farming”. A less romantic idea exists. Rutherglen comes from the Gaelic An Ruadh-Ghleann. This means red or reddish glen.
Until the early 1980s, this four-story building housed the Rutherglen Co-operative Society. It was founded in 1876. JD Wetherspoon refurbished these premises in December 2012.
An Ruadh-Ghleann stands as a reminder. It is a reminder of Rutherglen’s rich past. From ancient kings to royal burgh status, this area has seen it all. So, raise a glass to An Ruadh-Ghleann. It is a place where history and hospitality meet.