East Kilbride is a large suburban town in the South Lanarkshire council area, Greater Glasgow, Scotland. It is Scotland's first new town, and lies on high ground on the south side of the Cathkin Braes, about 8 mi southeast of Glasgow city centre. The area borders close to the boundary with East Renfrewshire and the White Cart river to the west side of the settlement. The Rotten Calder river flows along the east side of the settlement, northwards to join the River Clyde near Cambuslang. ==History== thumb|left|East Kilbride thumb|East Kilbride The earliest evidence of habitation in the area dates back to ancient graves found near the Kype Water to the south of the district. Roman coins and footwear have also been found in the area. East Kilbride takes its name from an Irish saint, St Bride (or Brigit) who founded a monastery for nuns and monks in Kildare, Ireland in the 6th century. Irish monks introduced her order to Scotland. Kil, from the Gaelic cill, means church or burial place. The area of East Kilbride is home to a river valley which, apart from the Avon Gorge, is unique in the way it was formed. A river usually starts off narrow, fast-flowing, with steep cliffs, and in the hills. This is the youth of the river. Later once the river reaches flat land it begins to widen and meander and flow slower. This is the river's middle age. Calderglen is interesting in that it flows fast, has steep cliffs and is fairly narrow (youth stage) but also meanders. The Rotten Calder therefore has its river youth after its middle age, as the river source is on flatter land and is meandering and slow flowing. Calderglen was in the past celebrated as a picturesque wooded valley. It was the home of a noble family known as the Maxwells of Calderwood who resided in Calderwood Castle. The remnants of Calderwood Castle were demolished in 1951.
