The Present.
Douglas Lanarkshire
Our Local Community
Things To See & Do
Events & What’s On
Photo Galleries
Local Directory
The Landscape Asset.
While the river valley has been truncated over the years by the development of the M74, Douglas retains a quality of rurality and landscape which is quite unique given its accessibility and proximity to the towns and cities of the Central Belt.
The flat parklands of the former Castle offer access to nature in the form of gentle walks while the valley rises on either side, through forestry, and into upland sheep grazing and moorland where the more adventurous might be found both walking and mountain biking.
Links to the south and into Dumfries and Galloway provide exciting opportunities for cycling and mountain biking more generally, and ramblers can be found making the best use of forestry tracks and windfarm roads from where the Grampians can be seen to the North. It is our location and our natural surroundings which we believe have the potential to form solid foundations for future socio-economic development.
Economy.
Employment in the village of the present day is found almost entirely in the service, healthcare – and less notably – the logistics sector.
A significant proportion of the population will travel away from the village for work to nearby towns and also as far as Glasgow and Edinburgh, made easy as a consequence of proximity to the M74 and A70. Increasingly, working from home has seen people able to move to the area from further afield too.
The more recent development of retail space at Colliers Court, a prominent site in the heart of the community, is a welcome investment which in turn has inspired entrepreneurial spirit in other areas of the village centre.
An adequate mix of general stores, a filling station, pharmacy, several take-aways, a butcher, hair dresser and a public house complete the retail and hospitality offering of the area. Cairn Lodge Services is also a notable employer. More information and contact details can be found in the Business Directory.
The village enjoys the services and employment opportunities afforded by the NHS in the form of a cottage hospital and a strong medical practice, and there are increasing opportunities in storage and logistics provided by the development of the Dalquhandy/ Poneil area in the form of the ‘Connexus’ vision.
Community Facilities.
Douglas is a place with a history of rich social capital which continues to this day. Whether formal or otherwise, there is always an event or gathering which can be attended.
This is aided by the existence of a modern Primary School and a linked Youth Facility, ‘Universal Connections’. In addition, in 2008 the community embarked on a major project which saw a former Victorian school purchased, reconfigured and refurbished to create a multi-functional community facility, St. Bride’s Centre. This is managed by Douglas St. Bride’s Community Group. The Centre boasts a small fitness suite, central atrium with cafe/ kitchen, large hall, studio and a suite of meeting spaces.
The community also benefits from the existence of various active social and sports organisations including a Bowling Club, Curling Club, Amateur Football Club, Youth Football Training Academy and a series of uniformed organisations. More about these groups, membership information and contact details can be found in the Business Directory.
