On the banks of the River Clyde, half an hour southeast of Glasgow, Bothwell is one of the city’s prettiest and most prosperous commuter towns, known for its medieval castle and annual scarecrow festival. Its Victorian villas and secluded modern luxury mansions sell for millions to TV personalities, professional footballers, and entrepreneurs drawn to the area.
Bothwell Main Street, a designated conservation area, features glorious floral displays in summer and a year-round collection of independent boutiques, jewelers, and beauty salons that defy the decline seen on many high streets.
But walking along Main Street, the eye is also drawn to a series of empty lots and burned-out buildings, standing out like rotten teeth in an otherwise perfect smile. These are the latest signs of what police believe are targeted arson attacks that have troubled this close-knit community for at least a decade. What is happening in Bothwell?
Data obtained from Police Scotland by the Daily Record at the end of 2025 showed there had been 27 incidents of arson in the town since 2021, affecting restaurants, vehicles, and occasionally private homes, earning Bothwell the nickname “firebomb capital of the UK.”
More troubling is that only one suspect has been identified for one of the fires, with no prosecutions, while at least two businesses have been forced out of the area—attacks some neighbors suspect are targeted gangland assaults.
The first fires of 2026 occurred in early January when two cars were set alight in a residential area. Scorch marks are still visible on the tarmac.
Last autumn, two premises on Main Street were set on fire just a month apart. When the Guardian visited, workers were replacing the charred door and window frames of the former Nel & Co, a popular dog-friendly bistro.
Where the road dips toward the motorway turnoff, The Cut steakhouse—a large rosy sandstone building set back from the street—sits empty behind fire service tape, its elegant portico boarded up.
Between these two sites lies another prime location, overgrown with drooping buddleia. Da Luciano restaurant stood here until it was demolished in 2023 after two devastating firebomb attacks.
As Range Rovers and Jaguars glide along Main Street, residents’ reluctance to speak openly about the fires speaks volumes. Some are willing—on condition of anonymity—to speculate why this friendly, affluent community of about 6,000 people has become a target for such specific crimes, but there is no hiding the unease and, for some, genuine fear of reprisals.
“It’s dangerous, and it’s only luck that no one has been hurt or killed yet,” says one resident.
Another longtime resident notes that all three eateries were owned or run by Hugh O’Donnell or a family member. O’Donnell was jailed for six months in 2006 for running a brothel in Glasgow’s Kelvingrove area, having pleaded guilty to living off immoral earnings.
Speaking to the Daily Record after the most recent fires, O’Donnell, 67, emphasized he is now a pensioner and “very interested in the quiet life.” “I can categorically tell you that I don’t know who is behind this, and I cannot think of any grudge that would have led to such damage,” he said.
O’Donnell, who did not respond to the Guardian’s interview requests, added, “It is fair to say that I may have had certain associations 20 years ago, but my life is very different now.” The Record later reported that he and his family were leaving the area.
But O’Donnell is not the only victim. Vincent Marini’s popular Main StreetThe restaurant San Vincenzo was a finalist in three categories at the 2019 Scottish Italian awards before a late-night fire gutted the building—the third such attack in as many months. Metal railings now sag around the rubbish-strewn site, located next to Nel & Co. At the time, the owner Marini claimed he had been targeted for defying “a major Scottish crime family.” In a cryptic social media post, he wrote: “Sadly they won … To say we are devastated is an understatement … We failed. The beast was greater than us.”
Marini, who also has not responded to interview requests, moved away and opened another restaurant in Glasgow. He sold the Bothwell site, which locals call an “eyesore,” and South Lanarkshire council is now considering an application from the new owners to demolish it.
The Guardian approached as many other fire victims as possible—many of them successful business owners whose expensive cars were torched—but none were willing to speak about their experiences.
On Main Street, there is some sympathy for O’Donnell. “He’s not allowed to get on with his life,” says one lifelong resident. But most frustration is directed at the council and what residents see as a failure to address the aftermath of these crimes.
“I’d like to hear less about the fires and more about how the council can help local businesses move forward,” says a boutique owner. “With all this negativity, we have to work much harder to attract people from outside Bothwell. Visitors think we’re in the middle of a gang war when it’s actually quite safe.”
There is a weary resignation about the prospect of catching those responsible: “The problem for the police is that the person who set the fire is unlikely to be the main offender.”
The final community council meeting of 2025 had a much higher turnout than usual. “There were at least 70 people there and the mood was heated,” says Conservative councillor Kenny McCreary, a Bothwell resident of 21 years. “People are angry and they want something done.”
In early November last year, Marjory Robertson wrote to councillors, including McCreary, calling for “urgent action” from South Lanarkshire council to address the “battered” state of Main Street.
Robertson chairs Brighter Bothwell, a volunteer group set up 25 years ago to tackle litter and dog-fouling. It has since become a hub for environmental projects, renovating neglected areas to create a nature trail along a former railway line, a fruit and vegetable garden, and a play area inspired by the region’s coalmining heritage. The group has won several Beautiful Scotland gold awards.
“The local feeling is frustration, not fear,” says Robertson. “Some people move here for the postcode, but many more become part of the community and volunteer. It’s a small town with a village feel.”
Dennis Walker, another active member of Brighter Bothwell, adds: “Bothwell is the kind of place where you’re always bumping into people you know and stopping for a chat. There’s a general sense that the council isn’t stepping up and that this is a conservation area in name only. How can we bring Beautiful Scotland judges to see our floral displays on Main Street, only to turn around and see those eyesores?”
Walker, who has lived in Bothwell since 1979, explains how the town’s historic wealth contrasts with its working-class industrial past: “The mansions were built for Glasgow merchants escaping the smoky city, but there was always another side to Bothwell with the mines.”dra Longmuir, who runs the community larder at Bellshill and Bothwell Parish Church, comes from a mining family and is concerned about the gentrification of Bothwell. “I was born and raised here, and the town isn’t what it used to be,” she says. “We’ve lost all the village shops, and now we have these restaurants that are being burned down. All those memories—and look at it now, it’s all rubble.”
Police Scotland declined repeated requests to comment on the high number of unsolved arson attacks in the town, referring the Guardian instead to a public appeal for information about the most recent fires from the local area commander.
Chief Inspector Sarah McArthur said: “We understand these incidents in Bothwell may be concerning for the community, but I want to reassure everyone that we believe these fires were targeted and there is no wider risk to the public. The investigation into these deliberate fires is ongoing, and detectives are carrying out extensive inquiries to identify and trace those responsible.”
Police Scotland also stated there was no evidence linking the car fires in January to the attacks last autumn.
Graeme Pearson, former director general of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency, says the use of arson as a criminal intimidation tactic has increased over the past decade. He points to the anonymous nature of the crime, where someone struggling with addiction might be offered money to pour accelerant outside a home or business. “They may see it as worth the risk, since they’re several steps removed from the person who ordered the attack and the chances of being caught are fairly low,” he explains.
Pearson, who also served as Scottish Labour’s justice spokesperson before leaving parliament in 2016, adds that the movement of criminals from major cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh to surrounding suburbs and towns is a relatively new trend, driven by the substantial wealth generated from drugs and organized crime. “If you’ve grown up in a tough, violent environment and accumulate wealth, you start to feel vulnerable and want to move away,” he says.
Back on Main Street, there are signs of optimism alongside the spring flowers. “People have been feeling a bit down, but I’m hopeful things will improve this year,” says one shopkeeper. “Bothwell is still the safest place in Scotland.”
McCreary notes that the council is taking a more active interest in Main Street. “I’m hopeful that by summer things will look very different,” he says, sharing a modest goal: “We’re exploring the possibility of installing CCTV at either end of Main Street. It’s a deterrent. I just want the community to get back to normal, like everyone else does.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Bothwell addressing its reputation and reality
General Beginner Questions
1 Where is Bothwell and what is it generally known for
Bothwell is an affluent suburb in South Lanarkshire about 10 miles southeast of Glasgow city centre Traditionally its known for its high property prices excellent schools historic castle and golf course
2 Why is it being called the UKs firebomb capital
This label comes from a series of targeted firebombing attacks on vehicles and properties primarily between 2020 and 2023 The frequency and concentration of these incidents in a relatively small wealthy area led media to use this dramatic term
3 Is it just random violence
No Police have consistently stated these are not random acts They are believed to be part of targeted campaigns often linked to organised crime serious feuds or attempts at intimidation between known individuals or groups
4 Should I be worried about visiting or living there
For the vast majority of residents and visitors life continues as normal The attacks are highly targeted at specific individuals not the general public The overall crime rate for common offences in Bothwell remains low compared to many other areas
Advanced Detailed Questions
5 Whats being done about the firebombings
Police Scotland have run dedicated operations with increased patrols Theyve made several arrests and charges related to the incidents The community also has an active Neighbourhood Watch
6 Has this affected house prices in Bothwell
While the headlines cause concern Bothwells property market has proven resilient due to its enduring appeal Some agents report a temporary stigma or increased buyer caution but prices remain among the highest in the region
7 Are these kinds of incidents common in wealthy suburbs
Targeted attacks linked to organised crime can occur in any area where individuals involved live The contrast between Bothwells genteel reputation and the violent nature of the crimes is what makes the story particularly striking
8 What is the communitys response been like
There is significant frustration and anger among residents who feel their safe community is being tarnished by the actions of a very small number There are strong calls for continued police action and community solidarity
