Stenhousemuir

infobox UK place
country = Scotland
static_

static_image_caption=
latitude= 56.0288
longitude=-3.8108
official_name=Stenhousemuir
population = 10,351
lieutenancy_scotland= Stirling and Falkirk
unitary_scotland= Falkirk
edinburgh_distance=
london_distance=
constituency_westminster=
constituency_scottish_parliament=
constituency_scottish_parliament1=
post_town= FALKIRK
postcode_district = FK5
postcode_area= FK
dial_code=
os_grid_reference= NS872832

Stenhousemuir is a small town in the district of Falkirk, Scotland, situated to the north of Falkirk. In 2001 the population was reported as being 10,351. The town adjoins Larbert to the West and to a lesser extent Carron & Carronshore to the East.

About The Town

Stenhousemuir has a football team (Stenhousemuir F.C.), a cricket club and a golf club. The [http://www.falkirktrystgolfclub.com Tryst Golf Club] , built in 1885, has its clubhouse in Burnhead Road, which is arguably in Larbert. The town is also home to McCowan’s toffee factory, who make both traditional toffee and also the popular Wham and Irn-Bru bars.

Landmarks

Ochilview Park, McCowan's Toffee Factory, Falkirk Tryst Golf Club and Stenhousemuir Cricket Club are all accessible via Tryst Road, a prominent stretch of road leading North out of the village. The street is so called because it was the site of the annual Tryst gathering of livestock farmers and buyers came from all over Scotland. On the anniversary of the Tryst in September each year, a travelling funfair comes to the site.

Local History

The "stone house" from which the village took its name was a Roman building on the north of the Carron River Valley valley known in later centuries as "Arthur's O'on," i.e. King Arthur's oven. This building fits the description of the "rotunda tabulata" described by Wace in his Roman de Brut of 1155, which may by mistranslation have given rise to the legend of the round table. It is no longer to be seen, having been demolished to rebuild a dam on the River Carron by Sir Michael Bruce of Stenhouse in 1743. The stones were swept away in a flood soon after. However, detailed drawings had been made in the 1720s and a replica was made in 1763 to serve as a dovecote on the roof of the stable block of Penicuik House in Midlothian, and this remains. The site of the original building has been localised to the garden of a modern house on a housing estate, apparently by the American academic Norma Lorre Goodrich (1917 – 2006).

The shopping area of Stenhousemuir is currently under renovation, which is set for completion in 2008. A new library, football pitch and new shops including a 4000 sq ASDA supermarket will be the essence of the development. A further plan for King Street will begin in 2009. [http://www.falkirkonline.net/Community/Larbert/Town%20Centre%20Improvements.aspx]

External links

* [http://website.lineone.net/~jsowens Stenhousemuir Cricket Team]
* [http://www.scottishspecialtyfoods.com/mccowans.html McCowan’s Toffee]
* Arthur's O'on [http://members.fortunecity.com/gillonj/arthursoon/]

ee also

*List of places in Falkirk