The name Rutherglen derives from King Reuther V in the genealogy of the kings of Scotland, who began his reign in 213. His kingdom about that time had shrunk to a glen “two miles and a half south-east of Glasgow and about nine miles to the west of Hamilton”.

A history of Rutherglen, published in 1793, give details of Reuther, or Reuda as Bede calls him. “Having experienced the changes of war, by which his army was greatly exhausted, he retired to the mountainous country of Argyle where he remained in peace for several years. Finding at length that his forces, now greatly increased, were inflamed with the love of war, he left his retirements, and, by many successful attacks on the Britons, regained the ancient boundaries of his kingdom”.

Reuther’s Glen eventually became, by contraction, Rutherglen.

Rutherglen received the status of Royal Burgh in 1126 by Royal Charter from King David I of Scotland who ruled from 1124 to 1153. In the 14th century Walter Stewart, father of King Robert II, was granted Farme Castle. This was located close to Farme Cross in the east of Rutherglen, and stood until the 1960s.

My Knowledge of the geography of western Scotland is somewhat limited, however, I doubt that there is much similarity between the environs of Rutherglen in northern Victoria and that of Rutherglen, Scotland. It is more likely that it was out of nostalgia for the “old country” that the early pioneers chose the name of King Reuther’s ancient capital for their new home in Australia.