KILPATRICK The Scotish Parliament created the parish of New Kilpatrick in 1649. It divided the former Parish of Kilpatrick. The western portion is now known as Old Kilpatrick and the eastern portion is New Kilpatrick. The original tiny church that was built on the site of the present building lasted for 150 years. Although the building no longer exists, there is still a group of 17th century gravestones in the southeast corner of the churchyard. The "new" church was built in 1808. The area which houses the chapel has been variously known as New Kilpatrick, Chapelton, New Kirk & most recently Bearsden.Old Kilpatrick is "a quiet place but hides a lot of historical importance". The
Antonine Wall , built in the 1400s, ends here. The wall ditch and other artifacts from the Roman occupation are still clearly visible.
Today, the Erskine Bridge crosses the River Clyde at Old Kilpatrick. Beyond there the Clyde widens into an inlet called the Firth of Clyde.
According to scotnursing.net,
New Kilpatrick village is in Dumbartonshire, Scotland; but the parish is also partly in Stirlingshire. It is 7 1/2 miles long & 3 1/2 miles wide, covering 9303 acres in Dumbartonshire & 2747 in Stirlingshire. The northern section is filled with part of Kilpatrick Hills. The rest of the land descends in successive knolly undulations down to the River Clyde. New Kilpatrick has natural resources of coal, limestone & very fine sandstone. It also has Antoninus' Wall and sites of two ancient chapels. The United Presbyterian & the Roman Catholic churches are well established." (Taken from The Gazetteer of Scotland by Rev. John Wilson, 1882.) Old Kilpatrick is reputed to be the birthplace of St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland. This was, incidentally, back in the days of the Roman occupation. It is said St. Patrick was so pious that the Devil leashed out an attack of witches upon him. It was from the banks of the River Clyde at Old Kilpatrick that St. Patrick departed for his mission to the Emerald Isle. His leaving so insensed the Devil that he threw a great chunk of rock at the saint as he left. There still exists today a well (now filled in) at this site. The well is said to have been used by St. Patrick.
