Bothwell (Scottish Gaelic: Both Chluaidh) is a conservation village in the South Lanarkshire council area of Scotland and part of the Greater Glasgow area. It lies on the north bank of the River Clyde, adjacent to Uddingston and Hamilton, 9 miles (14 km) east-south-east of Glasgow city centre.

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Bothwell Scottish Gaelic: Boduail Scots: Boddle[1]
Bothwell Library
Bothwell Location within South Lanarkshire
Population	6,870 (mid-2020 est.)[2]
OS grid reference	NS705585
Council area	South Lanarkshire
Lieutenancy area	Lanarkshire
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Glasgow
Postcode district	G71
Dialling code	01698
Police	Scotland
Fire	Scottish
Ambulance	Scottish
UK Parliament	Lanark and Hamilton East
Scottish Parliament	Uddingston and Bellshill
List of places UK Scotland 55.802329°N 4.066217°W / 55.802329; -4.066217

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An ancient settlement which was once primarily a mining village, and earlier the site of the Battle of Bothwell Bridge in 1679, Bothwell is an affluent commuter town that has attracted a number of local celebrities including several professional footballers. Owing to a steady rise in property prices, Bothwell is one of Glasgow's most prosperous satellites. In 2019, "Earls Gate" which overlooks Bothwell Castle was named Greater Glasgow's most expensive street, with an average price tag of £1,125,000.^[3] In 2021 Earls Gate was again named the City's most expensive street; according to the report this extends to the entire West of Scotland.

The houses surrounding the Main Street are of older sandstone Victorian style whereas the newer part of the Bothwell consists of estates built in close proximity to Bothwell Castle and intertwined with Bothwell Castle Golf club. The new houses have significantly increased the population. According to the recent census report 2011, Bothwell has a population of c. 6000, with the local council ward in combination with Uddingston established a year earlier. The majority of Bothwell's residents own their own property, and household incomes are likely to exceed the national average.

The picturesque ruin of Bothwell Castle occupies a position on a bluff above a bend in the River Clyde on the edge of Bothwell, which here takes the bold sweep famed in Scottish song as the Bothwell bank. This fortress belonged to Sir William Moray, known as 'le Riche', who died in England in 1300. It passed eventually by marriage to the House of Douglas. The lordship was bestowed in 1487 on Patrick Hepburn, 3rd Lord Hailes, 1st Earl of Bothwell. When he resigned in 1491 the title passed to "Bell-the-Cat", Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Angus. The title ultimately passed to the Earls of Home.

The castle is a fine example of Gothic architecture. It consists of a great quadrangle with circular towers on the south. At the east end stand the remains of the chapel. An unpretentious mansion was built nearby by Archibald Douglas, 1st Earl of Forfar (1653–1712), and was known as New Bothwell Castle, but suffered mining subsidence and was demolished in 1926. The castle can be accessed through scenic Clyde Walkways.

Brighter Bothwell is a local environmental group, formed in 2000 for the benefit of the whole community of Bothwell. Their objective is to enhance the environment directly through the endeavours of volunteers.

Since the formation of the group, many public areas have been improved and some major projects have been undertaken including the Nature Trail, The Jubilee Garden and The Marion Gilchrist Garden. In the Beautiful Scotland campaign, the group has raised the village to Silver Gilt award standard and, in 2012, Bothwell won the prize as winner of the Small Town category.

Brighter Bothwell has also encouraged the formation of two additional community groups, The Organic Growers of Bothwell and The Bothwell Scarecrow Festival. Working along with Brighter Bothwell, these groups are having a positive impact on the community.^[6]

This list includes notable persons who were born or have lived in Bothwell.

• Joanna Baillie, Scottish poet and playwright
• Theresa Breslin, Scottish novelist
• Chris Brookmyre, Scottish crime novelist
• The Very Rev John Chalmers, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2014–15 (born in Bothwell)
• Joseph James Coleman, chemist and inventor of the Bell-Coleman effect in freezing and air-conditioning
• Marion Gilchrist, first female graduate of the University of Glasgow and the first woman to qualify in medicine from a Scottish university
• Leigh Griffiths, Scottish footballer^[11]
• Henrik Larsson, Swedish footballer
• Archie MacPherson, football broadcaster and journalist
• Rev John Pagan, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and 1899–1900 minister of Bothwell
• Gordon Strachan, Scottish football manager