Weaving community in Lowland Scotland 

‘When they grew up, Claude and Bart became elders of Cambuslang parish church. The weaving community had a distinctive attitude to religion and politics. They were deeply committed protestants, followers of John Knox, members of the Church of Scotland and Whig in their politics. As a community the weavers stood together against the absolutism of kings and bishops. Politically, believed in education, social reform and parliamentary sovereignty. Economically, they believed in improvement and trade.’ This quote is from The Claudians: gardens, landscapes, reason and faith: John Claudius Loudon and Claudius Buchanan by Tom Turner, (Kindle, 2024).

More information about the weaving community in Cambuslang

Cottage weaving flourished in the 18th century and was characterised by tight-knit relationships. Families often shared workshops, passing down weaving techniques and traditions from generation to generation. The weavers were deeply intertwined with Presbyterianism and Whig politics during the 18th century. 

This form of Protestant Christianity characterised by governance by presbyters or elders, was the dominant religious denomination in Scotland at the time. Religious gatherings, such as Sunday worship services and midweek prayer meetings, served not only as spiritual outlets but also as opportunities for social interaction and community cohesion. The Presbyterian Church provided a framework for moral guidance, communal support, and collective identity, reinforcing the bonds within the weaving community. Moreover, Presbyterianism intersected with Whig politics in significant ways. 

The Whig Party, one of the dominant political factions in 18th-century Britain, advocated for constitutional monarchy, parliamentary supremacy, and religious toleration. Many Presbyterian Scots, including members of the weaving community in Cambuslang, aligned themselves with Whig principles, seeing them as compatible with their religious and political values. Whig politics emphasised principles of liberty, equality, and the rule of law, resonating with Presbyterian beliefs in individual conscience and religious freedom. As a result, members of the weaving community often participated in Whig political movements and supported Whig candidates in elections, viewing them as champions of their rights and interests.