The town of Larkhall lies about 17 miles east of Glasgow and has been the principal village for the Parish of Dalserf since the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The parish covers an area of approximately 11 square miles and includes Larkhall and the smaller settlements of Dalserf such as Ashgill, Netherburn and what was once Millheugh.
Larkhall sits on the west bank of the River Clyde, which forms the east and north-east boundries to the Parish. To the west and south-west runs the river Avon and Cander water.
The Parish was originally known as Machanshire, probably from the Gaelic Maghan (a little plain) and the Saxon scir or Shire (a division). Lavrockha which is Gaelic for a Lark on the hill has been suggested as to how the name Larkhall was derived. The name Levrokhall appears on a 1773 map and much earlier in a 1654 atlas, the name Lakhouf also makes an appearance as the site in and around the Old Cross. Houf was the old name for house, with Larkhouse possibly becoming Larkhall. To some of the locals past and present, it has simply become known as "Larkie"
