Upperton is a village in North Lanarkshire, Scotland, near Airdrie and Cumbernauld, about 20 miles (32 km) north-east of Glasgow. It lies close to the B803 between Greengairs and Slamannan. Other nearby roads include Hulks Road towards the A73, Fannyside Road to Abronhill and the road to Caldercruix via Longriggend. The Avon Water flows through the village and meets the Shielhill Burn, a tributary of the River Avon, just outside the village. William Forrest's 1816 map of Lanarkshire shows the site as Upper Town.[1] The Ordnance Survey map sites "Uppertown" on Shiel Hill.
Longriggend Fever Hospital and Remand Institution
Looking towards former Prison
Upperton was formerly a part the neighbouring village of Longriggend and a tuberculosissanitorium was built in the village.[2] The hospital was converted into Longriggend Remand Institution which has now been closed[3] and demolished.[4]
Today's Village
Maintenance disputes between the Scottish Prison Service and North Lanarkshire Council have left residents angry about the neglect of the infrastructure around the 80 or so houses and flats built in the 1960s to house prison staff.[5] A dilapidated Upperton flat made the BBC news as it was listed in an online auction for £1 although it eventually sold for £20,000.[6]
Wind farm
Wind turbine at Greendykeside, near Upperton
The construction of a 9 turbine wind farm is currently underway on the outskirts of the village at Greendykeside, near Longriggend. At present, 2 wind turbines have been erected.
