New Lanark Heritage Village - Lanark
The New Lanark World Heritage Site in Southern Scotland is a restored 18th-century cotton mill village. At the award-winning visitor centre visitors can explore what life would have been like for the 18th-century inhabitants of New Lanark which rose to fame in the early 1800s when Robert Owen was manager of the mill. Two of the most popular attractions at the centre are the Millennium Experience ride and an audio-visual theatre show called Annie McLeod's Story which tells the history of the region through the ghost of a mill-girl. From the centre, visitors can follow the trail to the spectacular Falls of Clyde close by where there's also a Wildlife Centre that's home to nesting peregrine falcons. The site is one of Scotland's top attractions attracting over 400,000 visitors each year. The visitor centre is closed during December and January.  Website New Lanark

 

Falls of Clyde - Lanark
Truly one of THE most beautiful sites in Lanarkshire. The Falls of Clyde comprise the upper falls of Bonnington Linn, Corra Linn, Dundaff Linn, and the lower falls of Stonebyres Linn. Corra Linn is the highest, with a fall of 90 feet. Bonnington Linn [fall of 30 feet], Corra Linn and Dundaff Linn are above New Lanark and located within the Falls of Clyde Reserve. Famously painted by Turner and an inspiration to Wordsworth it really is a must see. The best time to catch the falls is when they are in ‘full spate’ (about 4 times a year). This is when the water is allowed to flow freely down the Clyde creating a thundering display especially at Corra Linn.

Waterfall Days at the Falls of Clyde for 2010 will be published as soon as they are available. Website Falls of Clyde

 

Peregrine Falcons - Falls of Clyde
Just a few minutes walk up from the Falls of Clyde is a site is well-known for its resident breeding pair of peregrine falcons, which are protected during the breeding season by Operation Peregrine, providing security for the birds and a chance for the public to view the birds through scopes and CCTV. Generally nest building starts in March with eggs appearing in April and fingers crossed chicks in May. A great opportunity to catch a rare site if you are visiting at this time.  Thank you again to David Shaw for this wonderful picture taken May 09.  Check out our Birdwatching section for more pictures. Website Falls of Clyde

Conservation village of Douglas - Douglas                                      Douglas is a wonderful village 10 minutes from Craigend which is steeped in history.  Home to the Black Douglasses it has featured heavily in Scottish History  mostly through it's most famous son, James Douglas, Robert the Bruces Right Hand Man.  St Brides Church contains the tomb of James Douglas and the nearby Heritage Museum will give you the full history of this infamous clan.  Douglas  was also home to the Cameronians and a memorial in the grounds of Castle Dangerous holds a conventical every year to comemorate their history. 

Wanlockhead                                                                                                                             Wanlockhead is the highest village in Scotland at 1531ft and recently featured in the BBC series 'Hope Springs'.  With its history based in mining of gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc Wanlockhead is now home to the popular Lead Mining Musem which offers visitors the rare opportunity to actually go inside a mine and to have a go at gold panning....although finding some is not guaranteed!  Wanlockhead is also on the Southern Upland Way route so a visit  here could be combined with part of that walk.  Website Lead Mining Museum

Wallace Cave                                                                                                                                            A unique, little known landmark near Westoun is our very own Wallace Cave and a must see for all William Wallace enthusiasts. Reputed to be the hiding place of William Wallace in the late 1200's, this cave can only be reached by foot and is close to Craigend Bed and Breakfast. William Wallace was well known in Lanark, this being the home of Wallace's wife Marion, where he was married and the scene of Wallace's infamous skirmish with English soldiers in May 1297. There is much Wallace history to be found in the area, even as recently as August 2005 when the William Wallace Memorial Tomb at St. Kentigern’s Church in Lanark was designated as the final resting place of the Spirit of William Wallace – The Soul of Scotland

The cave has recently featured in the local press as attempts to protect the ancient carvings and have the cave designated as a Historic Monument pick up pace.

The William Wallace Heritage Trust www.wallaceinlanark.com  

Hovercrafting                                                                                             A fantastic trip out locally is a Hovercraft experience at Strathaven Airfield....we know...we've done it! You get to drive/fly/float the hovercraft round various courses, pitting your skills against your partner for the best times and skill. If you're feeling really adventurous you could even try a microlight or Light Aircraft flight over the Lanarkshure countryside from the same airfield. You can then take a trip into Strathven and walk around their many shops and finish the day off in one of the many restaurants.  Website Hovercraft Scotland

Lanimers - Lanark                                                                                    By far the biggest even in the Lanark area is Lanimers, an ancient festival that last for a whole week and culminates in a gala day procession featuring pipers, floats, bands rides and much more. It is a fabulous tradition and is unlike any other ‘gala day’ in Scotland. The date of the 2010 Lanimers parade will be published as soon as it is available but is usually the 2nd week in June.

 

www.lanarklanimers.co.uk

Lanark Medieval Festival - Lanark                                                          An annual event that sees Vikings and Scottish clansmen re-enact the history of the country. Re-enactors and stall holders from all over the world set up camp on Lanark Racecourse for a fascinating weekend of fun and history. Battles, Medieval bands, Archery, Birds of Prey, Arts and Crafts all come together to form a wonderful day out for any age. The 2009 festival falls on the 22nd 23rd August.

 

www.lanrkmedievalfestival.co.uk

Golf - Everywhere!                                                                                                                        Being the birthplace of Golf, Scotland is obviously spoilt for choice when it comes to golf courses. We have a number of local clubs which are open to the general public and offer varying degrees of difficulty.