The Luggie Water is one of two streams which flow out of Cumbernauld. The Scottish New Town’s name derives from the Gaelic for "the meeting of the waters" and it’s possible this refers to the Luggie Water and the Red Burn, both of which run through Cumbernauld but which never meet. Water from the Luggie eventually ends up in the west in the Firth of Clyde via the River Kelvin which joins the Luggie at Kirkintilloch. Water from the Red Burn on the other hand flows northward and then eastward via the Bonny Water and the River Carron into the Firth of Forth. Cumbernauld can be considered the aquatic heart of Scotland, being the urban watershed between East and West in the centre of the Central Belt. Where exactly the Scottish watershed is located in the town is difficult to pinpoint. The catchment of both streams includes areas of Fannyside Muir. The Red Burn enters Cumbernauld behind Cumbernauld Academy, whereas the Luggie Water flows past Luggiebank close to the Greenfaulds railway station. Therefore, anywhere between these two landmarks may be the aquatic heart of Scotland. The Forth and Clyde Canal passes north of Cumbernauld but crosses both the Luggie Water on an aqueduct at Kirkintilloch, and the Red Burn on another aqueduct close to the Castlecary Arches. The river levels at Condorrat and Oxgang are monitored by SEPA.
Toponymy
The etymology of the Luggie's name is uncertain. It may originate from the "bright, shining" nature of the stream compared to other local watercourses. Two of Pont's maps mention the Luggie although neither links it with Cumbernauld. Several other old maps show the Luggie with various spellings including maps by Charles Ross, William Forrest, and William Roy.
The Luggie in Poetry
Kirkintilloch poet David Gray, wrote many poems which mention the river. "The Luggie" which has been partly narrated. is his most well-known work. The Luggie and Other Poems is his anthology and is online. Some of his many verses which mention the Luggie include a poem about a yellowhammer and this unnamed sonnet: LONG yearnings had my soul to gaze upon
Fair Italy with atmosphere of fire; On tawny Spain; on th' immemorial land
Where Time has dallied with the Parthenon In beautiful affection and desire.
But when last even, effluently bland, I saw sweet Luggie wind her amber waters
Thro' lawns of dew and glens of glimmering green, And saw the comeliness of Scotland's daughters,
Their speaking eyes and modest mountain mien, I blest the Godhead over all presiding,
Who placed me here, removed from human strife, Where Luggie, in her clear unwearied gliding,
Is but the image of my inner life. Jim Carruth, poet laureate of Glasgow, has a poem called Watershed which is inscribed on the base of Andy Scott's Arria, The Angel of the 'Naud, statue which overlooks the A80 in Cumbernauld. While it doesn't mention the Luggie by name, the poem, inspired by Cumbernauld's Gaelic name, builds on the theme of watershed to east and west.
Fauna
There have been reports of large mammals including otters, badgers, pine martens, foxes, mink and roe deer along the river. Ornithologists have reported seeing herons and kingfishers too. Eels which swim as far as the Caribbean and back have also been found.
Bridges, Viaducts and other Landmarks
There are many man-made structures along the watercourse. Some give aesthetic pleasure although others are largely functional. There are road, rail and footbridges as well as viaducts, and weirs along the length of the Luggie and its tributaries. For example at the site of the old mill at Lenziemill there is the ruins of a weir. It looks like a natural waterfall but it raised the water level in order to supply the mill lead to Lenzie corn and flax mills. Some of the isolated spots attract youths who enjoy local tonics or practise their art. Some parts of the river have problems with shopping trolleys and old mattresses and the like just dumped in the river. Volunteers like some Luggiewatch members from Kirkintilloch sometimes give up their free time to help with this problem. Other structures are more poignant like the memorial at Kirkintilloch to a young man, Hazleton Robert Robson, who at the age of 17 drowned in the Luggie Water whilst attempting to save the life of a young child.
No Connection
There is another watercourse in the area of Coatbridge called the Luggie Burn, a tributary of the North Calder Water. Luggie Jean, the murder victim from Cumbernauld, was named after her three ears rather than either of these streams.
