I welcomed the chance to celebrate Rutherglen’s 900th anniversary, praising Clare Haughey MSP and the community-led efforts behind the Rutherglen 900 project. I reflected on the town’s rich history, its remarkable people, and my own years representing Ruglonians—from monthly surgeries to the joy of Landemer Day. It was a privilege to serve such a vibrant, proud and welcoming community.
Full text of my speech
I congratulate Clare Haughey on securing the debate celebrating the 900th anniversary of Rutherglen as a royal burgh.
My goodness, I am glad that I am not living 900 years ago. Clare Haughey has put on record the intrigue, treachery and treason that have taken place in Rutherglen. I am sure that the place has moved on considerably from those medieval times.
Clare Haughey is a real champion for Rutherglen. That came out quite clearly in her speech. She spoke passionately about the community-led Rutherglen 900 project. I was pleased to hear Clare talk about the Healthy n Happy Community Development Trust and Camglen Radio being part of the community-led project, as those are a couple of organisations that I know quite well from my days as a regional MSP.
Clare Haughey also went through a list of famous people from Rutherglen. I was scoring out my list of people I was going to name-check as she went on. Bobby Murdoch was on the list as well, and he is one that she did not mention.
Also, who was Nellie Hunter? I did not know until a couple of hours ago that Nellie Hunter was a suffragist from Rutherglen. There will be an exhibition all about Nellie Hunter at the library and heritage centre in just a few days’ time. That is the point of celebrating our history—to find out about those histories that are lost through time, as those stories of remarkable people are the social fabric of all communities. I am delighted that such events are taking place in Rutherglen.
My connection with Rutherglen goes back to 2007, when I became a regional MSP for Glasgow. I fulfilled that role until I became a constituency MSP for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn in 2016. Let me be clear: I am not saying that Rutherglen is part of Glasgow. Heaven forfend that I should say that. Some people say that it is part of Lanarkshire, but the people of Rutherglen are, first and foremost, Ruglonians. They are welcome, inclusive and passionate Ruglonians. Unless things have changed, they would still view themselves as Ruglonians.
I want to give some personal reflections on my time in Rutherglen. I well remember my monthly surgery in the King Street cooncil buildings in the town over the years. I also recall the regular Scottish National Party meetings at St Columbkille’s church hall, where we would have to compete with the Irish dancing and the occasional hooley. I hope that that is all still going strong.
After those branch meetings, if I was very lucky, I would have a pint at Dr Gorman’s pub. I understand that it is no longer Dr Gorman’s—good luck to the new owners, but that is a backward step as far as I am concerned. I used to go there with the late Councillor Gordon Clark—it was his local. I was saddened by Gordon’s recent passing, and I want to put on record in this place the contribution that he made to public life and to the Rutherglen community over many years, including 10 years as a councillor.
My highlight as a regional MSP who covered Rutherglen was always my annual attendance—I would have been in trouble if I didnae go—at Landemer day, with the late Gordon Clark and many others, some of whom are also, sadly, no longer with us. I would like to mention Councillor Clare McColl and Councillor Anne Higgins, who are no longer with us. Friends across all parties will have their own memories of people who are no longer with us.
I always had a wonderful time at Landemer day, which was supported by the people of Rutherglen in their thousands each and every year. It was always a passionate, vibrant and lovely demonstration of Rutherglen’s civic pride and creative endeavour.
I had not known that Landemer day recommenced only in 1974, having fallen into abeyance in 1926. I learned that in preparation for today’s debate. I am pleased that it has bounced back so strongly since the Covid-19 pandemic.
It is important that all communities celebrate such landmarks. Not that long ago, I led a members’ business debate on the 50th anniversary of Summerston, where I stay, and the church that I go to in Maryhill will be celebrating its 50th anniversary. However, what is important is not the number of years for which a community has been in existence but how the people in the community knit together in such a beautiful, wonderful, vibrant and diverse way.
That is how I think about Rutherglen. It was a privilege to represent it for a short period of time. Those who represent it today, including Clare Haughey, are lucky and privileged to do so. Happy birthday to Rutherglen.