The High Point- A Synopsis

Often in my training posts I refer to High Point hill reps, for example, "8 x High Point hill reps" without elaborating. It has occurred to me that it may be helpful and/or interesting (okay, maybe not the latter) to provide details of what a High Point hill session entails. This lead me on to researching the history of the East Kilbride area itself. I had been aware of the existence at one time of a Lickprivick Castle in the Greenhills area of the town (where I live) located on grass land beside the Greenhills shops known to locals as the High Point. Having delved further, what I have discovered has proven to be fascinating.

From my web based research I found that settlements in what is now the new town of East Kilbride date back to Roman times. Apparently ancient graves and Roman artefacts have previously been discovered around the Kype Reservoir about 4 miles south east of Strathaven. East Kilbride was originally known simply as Kilbride (it was recorded as such in 1800). The name suggests that the original settlement was formed around an early Christian church dedicated to St. Bride. Settlements included a number of castles, such as Mains Castle, Torrance Castle and Calderwood Castle. I am particularly aware of the latter castle since the site where it once stood is located in a trail where I sometimes train adjacent to the East Kilbride Expressway. This takes me on to my subject of interest, Lickprivick Castle.

While it is unclear when Lickprivick Castle was built, or indeed when the Lickprivick family took possession of the land, Hugh McBrien of the West of Scotland Archaeological Service undertook an investigation of the High Point site in 1999 for the Greenhills Millenium Video Group. His findings suggested that there could have even been two castles, a wooden one then a replacement stone one which became Lickprivick Castle. Another source I've read suggests that the stone castle was built in the 12th or 13th centuries. It is said that the Lickprivick family owned the land since before the time of Robert the Bruce/King Robert I of Scotland (1306-1329) so, by reckoning, the time of building is likely correct. In 1397, the Lickprivicks were granted the hereditary title Sergeantry and Coronership in the Lordship of Kilbride by King Robert III. A timeline, albeit vague, of events thereafter is as follows:-

Early 16th century: a Lickprivick heiress married a Lindsay family member, possibly a son, Alexander Lindsay, 4th Laird of Dunroy.

1540: their own son, possibly John Lindsay, the 6th Laird of Dunrod  exchanged the lands of Lickprivick with Robert Lindsay of Crossbasket, later the 8th Laird of Dunrod, receiving the lands of Linbank in Avondale in return.

Late 16th century: Lickprivick Castle was in ruins.

1733 approx: the ruined Lickprivick Castle was pulled down.

1840 approx: all traces of Lickprivick Castle were gone.

By my reckoning therefore, the transfer of the land which would become the High Point (and a key training venue for me, not that anyone involved in 1540 could have predicted that an eejit would be running up and down the hill every week in all weathers over 460 years later) out of the Lickprivick family's hands by the son of a female Lickprivick family member and her hubby in exchange for other land was the death knell for Lickprivick Castle. I wonder what John Lindsay's motives were. Money? Were the lands of Linbank a more lucrative asset to have than the lands of Lickprivick? How would things have turned out if the transaction didn't go ahead? Would the castle (well, the remains anyway) still be there? Who knows?

The site is now a grassed area, as I say called the High Point, surrounded by housing. It constitutes the highest spot above sea level in East Kilbride, hence the name. A good place to have a castle all those years ago. A large stone structure sits at the top of the hill with markings carved into it. I therefore disagree that all traces of Lickprivick Castle are gone since the structure is a clear reminder of what was once there. The Lickprivick name also lives on with Lickprivick Road being the main road you turn off to reach the High Point. Lickprivick Road is some hill to run up as well! In whatever way the Lickprivick family earned their living, I bet they were physically fit and anyone who wished to invade would have had to be as well.

 

 

 

Above: two photos of the stone structure courtesy of http://trigpointing.uk/trig/6406

So that's the history, what about the modern day? Well I used to sledge on the High Point so it's certainly steep enough. The grass circuit which includes the hill is an accurate 600m in length. For a hill session, I simply run continuous laps without any recoveries, focussing the effort on running uphill to the stone (which sits at the peak) then hard off the top, downhill back to the start. So "8 x High Point hill reps" means I have run 8 continuous laps of the circuit. Whatever number appears is how many laps I've done in that particular session. The most I have done so far in a single session is 14. I often dread the session but I always feel good doing it and even better afterwards. As a superstition, on my last rep in every session, without breaking stride, I run straight up to the stone and tap it on the head before finishing the circuit.

Above: two photos of me training at the High Point in 2012. The first shows me going uphill and, in the second, I'm preparing to descend to the left. The stone is on my right, out of shot.

 

My interest in the history of the High Point has certainly grown so I think this post may not be my last about it. Knowing what I know now, it feels like hallowed turf whenever I'm there. While this has been a different tone to my usual posts, hopefully it has been informative and interesting. Below is a list of my sources of research.

http://www.stravaiging.com/history/castle/lickprivick-castle
http://www.gmvg.org/videos_animation.asp
http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/44978/details/east+kilbride+lickprivick+castle/
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/eastkilbride/eastkilbride/index.html