South Lanarkshire: Mill Village, Museums and Nature Trails

South Lanarkshire combines industrial history with wooded valleys, moorland landscapes and trails through nature. New Lanark, museums in Hamilton and Biggar, and several country parks offer different reasons to explore the region. To plan your trip, you can first decide whether you want to focus mainly on historic places, walks or wildlife watching.

New Lanark and the trails to the Falls of Clyde

New Lanark is an outstanding example of a purpose-built 18th-century mill village and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The New Lanark Experience combines historic buildings with immersive exhibitions and interactive displays. It includes the Annie McLeod Experience, an immersive ride that brings the history of the mills to life.

Two trails also start in New Lanark. A 3-mile self-guided trail leads to the Falls of Clyde. The 1.2 km Power Trail also starts there and ends at Corra Linn; along the way, it passes Dundaff Linn and Bonnington Power Station. Conditions may affect access to the self-guided trail. Check trail conditions before your visit.

Wooded valleys, moorland and wildlife watching

The Clyde Valley Woodlands National Nature Reserve comprises six protected woodland areas along steep river valleys. At the main sites, you can walk, enjoy the views and watch wildlife. With a little luck, you may spot badgers, roe deer, otters, great spotted woodpeckers, kingfishers or peregrine falcons; sightings are not guaranteed. The Falls of Clyde Reserve is one of the most easily accessible destinations within the protected area. Check access and facilities before setting out.

Langlands Moss is a rare and significant lowland raised bog. The Local Nature Reserve is open to the public and has a boardwalk. Access and trail conditions may change. In the wooded valley of Calderglen, the landscape extends for more than 5 km along the Rotten Calder. Waterfalls and geological features characterise the valley.

Parks and trails with different highlights

Chatelherault Country Park covers 500 acres of countryside and woodland, with more than ten miles of waymarked trails. Four official nature trails in Calderglen start at the Information Point at the top of the main access road. There is also a zoo and a tropical greenhouse there. The park is also home to a listed 18th-century hunting lodge. The trails, parkland and historic building offer different ways to enjoy your visit.

James Hamilton Heritage Park is home to a 16-acre lake for water sports and leisure boating. The park is also an accredited training centre for the Royal Yachting Association and Paddle Scotland. The Local Nature Reserve there includes wetlands and small islands that provide habitats for birds and other wildlife. This means water sports and wildlife watching are available side by side as separate interests at the same location.

Museums and architectural history in Hamilton and Biggar

Low Parks Museum is a heritage attraction on the former estate of the Duke of Hamilton. Its Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Gallery tells the story of the unique regiment over more than 300 years. The museum is 0.7 miles from Hamilton Central railway station; the walk takes about 15 minutes. Walking time and distance may vary slightly depending on the route.

Hamilton Mausoleum was built as a tomb and memorial to Alexander, the 10th Duke of Hamilton. A distinctive architectural feature is the chapel’s 15-second reverberation. Tours of the mausoleum can be booked through Low Parks Museum; availability is subject to conditions. Check whether a tour is available before travelling.

Biggar Museum dedicates its collections to 14,000 years of rural life in Biggar and Upper Clydesdale. Its exhibits include the 4,000-year-old Thankerton Man. Gladstone Court complements a visit to the museum with a Victorian streetscape and shop display. In Lanark, you can walk around the loch; there is also a children’s playground. Coarse fishing at Lanark Loch is permitted only with a permit, and the loch is stocked with carp. As permit rules may change, check them before fishing.

Whitelee Visitor Centre offers free parking, an electric vehicle charging point, Wi-Fi and a bike shed. As these facilities may change, it is advisable to check before setting out. Choose your accommodation base according to the places you actually want to visit.

Discover more destinations: Hamilton, East Kilbride, Uddingston, Abington, Leadhills, Lanark, Biggar, Larkhall, Strathaven, Blantyre, Carstairs, Chapelton, Cambuslang, Carluke, Lesmahagow, New Lanark.

For the wider travel overview: Scotland.