Wishaw

Wishaw Scots: Wishae
Main Street, Wishaw
Wishaw Location within North Lanarkshire
Population	28,565 (2001 census)
OS grid reference	[NS795555 NS795555]
Council area	North Lanarkshire
Lieutenancy area	Lanarkshire
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	WISHAW
Postcode district	ML2
Dialling code	01698
Police	Scottish
Fire	Scottish
Ambulance	Scottish
UK Parliament	Motherwell and Wishaw
Scottish Parliament	Motherwell and Wishaw Central Scotland

Wishaw is a town in North Lanarkshire, Scotland. It is bordered by Motherwell and Carluke, and is split into several areas such as Netherton, Craigneuk, Newmains, Cambusnethan and Pather.

One of only three hospitals in Lanarkshire is in Wishaw. Wishaw General Hospital is at the bottom of Wishaw, easy to find as it is on the main A721 road.

History

The origin of the name is uncertain. One suggestion is that it is from the Scots word for "Wicket gate in the wood", and that it used to be called Wygateshaw. Another theory is that it was originally Viashaw, meaning way or road through the wood. Yet another theory is that the name derives from "Wee Shaw", meaning small wood.

In November 1996, the world's worst recorded outbreak of E. coli occurred in the town, in which 20 people died and around 200 were infected.

People

Wishaw has had a number of famous residents, including:

• John Higgins, world snooker champion
• Paul Quinn, footballer for Motherwell F.C.
• Tommy Gemmell, former footballer of Celtic F.C.
• Lee Miller, footballer for Aberdeen F.C.

Other websites

• Census 2001 statistics for Wishaw Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine
• History and Photographs of Wishaw Iron & Steel Works 1859 - 1930 Archived 2011-07-25 at the Wayback Machine
• Website of the local Newspaper, the Wishaw Press