{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox military installation |name=Hamilton Barracks |image=LowParksMuseum.JPG |caption = Low Parks Museum (incorporating the Regimental Museum of the Cameronians) |type = Barracks |map_type = Scotland South Lanarkshire |pushpin_map_caption = Location within South Lanarkshire |location = Hamilton, South Lanarkshire |coordinates = {{Coord|55.780|N|4.047|W|region:GB_type:landmark|display=inline,title}} |ownership = Ministry of Defence |operator = {{army|United Kingdom}} |built = 1794-1795 |used=1795-1947 |architect = |built_for = War Office |garrison = |occupants = }} '''Hamilton Barracks''' was a military installation in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire.
==History== The barracks, which were originally designed for use by cavalry, were built between 1794 and 1795.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/parliamentarypa98commgoog/parliamentarypa98commgoog_djvu.txt|title=Parliamentary accounts and papers|publisher=UK Parliament|date=23 July 1847|accessdate=9 December 2015}}</ref> The cavalry moved out to Maryhill Barracks in Glasgow in 1877 and the barracks were converted for infantry use. The conversion took place as part of the Cardwell Reforms which encouraged the localisation of British military forces.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/9383385/Echoes-of-the-past-in-these-Army-cuts.html|title=Echoes of the past in these Army cuts|date=8 July 2012| accessdate= 13 November 2014}}</ref>
The barracks became the depot for the 26th (Cameronian) Regiment of Foot and the 74th (Highland) Regiment of Foot.<ref name=training>{{cite web|url=http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/depot/1873.htm|title=Training Depots|publisher=Regiments.org|accessdate=16 October 2016|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060210172841/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/depot/1873.htm|archivedate=10 February 2006}}</ref> Under the Childers Reforms, the 26th (Cameronian) Regiment of Foot amalgamated with the 90th Regiment of Foot (Perthshire Volunteers) to form the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) with its depot in the barracks in 1881.<ref name=training/>
The barracks also became the depot for the 73rd (Perthshire) Regiment of Foot and the 90th Regiment of Foot (Perthshire Volunteers).<ref name=training/> Under the Childers Reforms, the 71st (Highland) Regiment of Foot amalgamated with the 74th (Highland) Regiment of Foot to form the Highland Light Infantry with its depot in the barracks in 1881.<ref name=training/>
Many volunteers enlisted at the barracks at the start of the First World War.<ref name=lan>{{cite web|url=http://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/press/article/1121/100th_anniversary_of_start_of_wwi|title=100th anniversary of start of WWI|date=1 August 2014|accessdate=9 December 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210222602/http://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/press/article/1121/100th_anniversary_of_start_of_wwi|archivedate=10 December 2015}}</ref> The barracks fell into a state of disrepair and the Highland Light Infantry moved its depot to Maryhill Barracks in March 1921.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rhf.org.uk/rhf/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18:1914-1939&Itemid=31|title=1914-1939|publisher=Royal Highland Fusiliers|accessdate=9 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210221507/http://rhf.org.uk/rhf/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18:1914-1939&Itemid=31|archive-date=10 December 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The Cameronians, who had been scheduled to move out in the late 1930s, saw action in the Second World War and then re-located to Winston Barracks in 1947.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lanark.co.uk/history/time-line/P35|title=1939 − Winston barracks, Lanark constructed. It was later to be the base for the Scottish Rifles (Cameronians)|publisher=Lanark Life|accessdate=9 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210223635/http://www.lanark.co.uk/history/time-line/P35|archive-date=10 December 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The barracks were demolished in the 1960s and the site was occupied by Bell College in 1972: Bell College evolved to become the Hamilton Campus of the University of the West of Scotland in 2007.<ref name=lan/> Low Parks Museum, which incorporates the Regimental Museum of the Cameronians, is situated only a few hundred yards to the East of the site of the former barracks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slleisureandculture.co.uk/info/203/low_parks_museum|title=Low Parks Museum|publisher=South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture|accessdate=9 December 2015}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Barracks in Scotland Category:Installations of the British Army Category:Buildings and structures in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire Category:History of South Lanarkshire Category:Military installations established in 1795 Category:Military installations closed in 1947