Rutherglen

Town and former royal burgh in City of Glasgow unitary authority, Scotland, situated near the River Clyde, 4 km/2.5 mi southeast of Glasgow; population (2001) 33,100. A thriving industrial community, it manufactures chemicals, paper, ropes, furniture, and mining machinery, and is a notable producer of oatcakes. Rutherglen is the oldest royal burgh in Scotland; it received its first royal charter in 1126.

In the Middle Ages the town was of considerable importance, but its pre-eminence was lost with the rise of Glasgow.