Banton, North Lanarkshire

Banton
The Swan Inn, situated in the heart of the village at the Cross.
Banton  Banton shown within North Lanarkshire
Council area	North Lanarkshire
Lieutenancy area	Dunbartonshire
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	GLASGOW
Postcode district	G65
Dialling code	01236
Police	Scottish
Fire	Scottish
Ambulance	Scottish
EU Parliament	Scotland
UK Parliament	Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East
Scottish Parliament	Cumbernauld and Kilsyth
List of places UK Scotland

Coordinates: 55°59′24″N 4°00′22″W / 55.990°N 4.006°W

Banton is a small village located near to the town of Kilsyth in Scotland. Originally a cluster of houses and a farm to the north (now referred to as High Banton) was what existed of the village and then coal-mining brought about the settlement we see today. Nestled under the Kilsyth Hills, the village is a small community with few local amenities, save for a shop and post office (this has since closed as of late 2008), a pub/restaurant (The Swan Inn) a local primary school, church and bowling green. A number of Banton residents in the past secured employment in the Banton weaving mill. However once the mill closed this changed and locals had to seek employment in other fields. Businesses with operations in the village include Bennett Homes and Border Demolition based at the old mill. A livery business and a dog grooming parlour have recently become established in the Mailings side of Banton and a computer repair business on Mill Road.

The Townhead Reservoir (or Banton Loch) is in the vicinity (3/4 mile to the west) of the village, and this was once the property of the company that owned the Forth and Clyde canal. It was widely used by a boating club for many years, but has latterly been secured for use by a local fishing club. The source of the River Kelvin is situated at the south east corner of the village near the site of the old Lammerknowes Farm Photo.

Transport is provided today by the A803 non-trunk road between the Falkirk area to the east and Kilsyth and Glasgow city to the west. The village lies on a spur of this road 1/2mile due north; Kelvinhead are arranged at the junction. An hourly bus service between Falkirk/Camelon/Larbert/Bonnybridge/Banknock - Kilsyth/Kirkintilloch/Bishopbriggs/Springburn/Glasgow is operated every day by First.

The Covenanter army under General William Baillie formed near Banton for their engagement with the Royalist forces under the command of Montrose at the Battle of Kilsyth on August 15, 1645; a major battle of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.