Hamilton (Scots: Hamiltoun; Scottish Gaelic: Baile Hamaltan [ˈpalə ˈhaməl̪ˠt̪ʰan]) is a large town in South Lanarkshire, Scotland.

[2] The town of Hamilton was originally known as Cadzow or Cadyou[3][4] (Middle Scots: Cadȝow), the "ȝ" being the letter yogh), pronounced /kadju/.

Hamilton Townhouse, which now houses a library and concert hall, underwent a sympathetic modernization in 2002 and opened to the public in summer 2004.

[9] The ruins of Cadzow Castle also lie in Chatelherault Country Park, 2 miles (3 km) from the town centre.

A former seat of the Dukes of Hamilton, it was built in 1695, subsequently much enlarged, and demolished in 1921 due to ground subsidence.

It is widely acknowledged as having been one of the grandest houses in Scotland, was visited and admired by Queen Victoria, and was written about by Daniel Defoe.

[12] Renowned explorer and missionary David Livingstone's house still stands at 17 Burnbank Road and has a plaque about him.

Its local government services are provided by the unitary authority the South Lanarkshire Council, which is headquartered in Hamilton.

This connection dates from the 16th century when the title Duc de Châtellerault was conferred on James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran.

Restaurants and national retail outlets are situated in a redeveloped part of the Palace Grounds that are visible upon entering the town from the M74 motorway.

By road the town is to the west of the M74 motorway, the main southerly link to England, which joins the M6 just north of Carlisle.

There are three council run Leisure Centres which comprise gyms, swimming pools, fitness classes and more[20] Hamilton Palace Sports Grounds [21] provide the town with rugby, cricket, tennis, football and bowling areas.

The town is also home to several large gym chains, such as David Lloyd formerly (Virgin Active Health Club), which hosted the tennis at the 2011 International Children's Games.

Speedway racing was staged in Hamilton for one off shows from 1947 to 1955 on the old ash football pitches of Strathclyde Park (now covered by the town square).

[citation needed] A multiplex Vue Cinema is located in the redeveloped Palace Grounds area close to the ROC nightclub.