From breathtaking landscapes and historic castles to charming towns and outdoor adventures, South Lanarkshire has something for everyone. Whether you're exploring scenic hiking trails, enjoying family-friendly attractions, or diving into rich Scottish heritage, there's no shortage of things to see and do. Browse the VisitLanarkshire website for more ideas on things to see and do along with places to stay, and plan your perfect trip today.
Ten stories | Ten characters | Ten days, which changed life in North Lanarkshire. Forever.
North Lanarkshire Stories is a collection of tales inspired by places and the events that have taken place there. Spanning two millennia, each of the stories explores a day in the life of an ordinary person experiencing an extraordinary event. They are about working people who, just like you, have lived through love, war, labour, and transformation.
The stories can be found displayed on specially designed signage in the locations that inspired them. At each location you will find a sign with a summary of the story, a rubbing tile and an opportunity to engage with the main character via your mobile device.
Characters and other details, whilst informed by real people and events, are fictional. We hope the tales might encourage people to explore further and learn more about life in North Lanarkshire through the ages. Each character witnesses a different but equally seismic and irreversible shift in the fabric of life and the landscape in North Lanarkshire. And this is the thread that weaves the stories together.
Use the map to obtain directions to each of the signage locations. Each sign will provide access to a full story.
Using the map: Once you've clicked on a pin on the map below, a little window will appear telling you which story is located there. Click the little red arrow under the story picture to get directions to where that story sign is located. Ignore the location description that google offers as some of these aren't accurate - but the pins are in the right place so either enlarge the map for exact location or input your starting point to obtain directions.
From quirky B&Bs to historic castles, Lanarkshire has plenty of unusual places to stay if you are in search of a memorable short break.
Live like a Royal at Shieldhill Castle, on the outskirts of Biggar. This fantastic property offers a variety of accommodation options, from castle and courtyard rooms to Scandinavian-style lodges on the grounds. The castle dates back to the 12th century and you will be walking in the footsteps of some historical greats, as the venue has links with Mary Queen of Scots and William Wallace.
Take residence in your very own private cottage which is part of New Lanark UNESCO world heritage site and immerse yourself in Scottish history. The accommodation includes an open-plan living room, dining and kitchen areas and family bathroom. This charming self-catering cottage is located in the heart of New Lanark village on the banks of the River Clyde. You can also access the award-winning New Lanark Visitor Centre and facilities at the New Lanark Mill Hotel.
The enchantingly-named Grumpy Schnauzer in Airdrie is a luxury farmhouse bed and breakfast, with stunning, en-suite rooms each with their own private hot tub area. There’s a games room, too, with snooker, pool and TV, and a fully-equipped gym. A chill-out area with a library and some cosy chairs, books and board games is a relaxing spot, and this unique B&B comes with five cuddly shnauzers who enjoy meeting the guests.
At Jackton Distillery, staying the night is an experience in itself. Nestled amidst Scotland's rolling countryside, this luxurious accommodation offers guests the chance to immerse themselves in the art of whisky making. The self-catering cottages combine rustic charm with modern luxury, giving visitors a cosy yet stylish retreat after a day of touring the distillery and sampling its finest spirits. Whether you're relaxing with a dram in hand or enjoying the scenic views from your window, a stay at Jackton Distillery is an unforgettable way to embrace Scotland’s rich whisky heritage.
Indulge your daredevil side at Lanarkshire’s most adventurous attractions.
M&Ds Theme Park, located in Strathclyde Country Park, features a huge range of rides and activities from thrilling rollercoasters to breathtaking water rides. If you love hurtling down a track or splashing through the waves, this is the perfect day out. Relax afterwards in one of the site’s many restaurants, explore ‘indoor rainforest’ Amazonia, enjoy a game at Cosmic Bowl ten pin bowling, or chill out while you send the kids into the Krazy Congo soft play.
https://scotlandsthemepark.com/
Enjoy all the excitement of karting at Scotland’s longest outdoor course, which hosts the British Championships. The Larkhall Circuit is open to individuals and groups, beginners and experienced racers, and a recent refurbishment has resulted in a fantastic new Kart Republic café, track extension and renovated paddock and pit bays.
Outdoor Trax in Kilsyth aims to encourage everyone to have fun and get some exercise in the great outdoors. Its activities at Auchinstarry Marina include canoeing on the open waters of the Forth and Clyde canal, cycling along the canal banks and kayaking.
https://www.outdoortrax.co.uk/
Bouldering – which is climbing stripped back to its bare essentials – is a test of balance, technique and strength. Lanarkshire’s first dedicated centre, Hang on Climbing, in Hamilton, has more than 600 square metres of climbing wall, plus a dedicated children-only area and an amazing café with drinks and snacks from small, local businesses.
When love is in the air, Lanarkshire can provide the most romantic of getaways, whether you are looking for elegant surroundings, peaceful hideaways or a little taste of luxury,
Tastefully converted and restored, Cornhill Castle Hotel in Biggar is a Scottish mansion house designed in the style of an elegant castle in a rural, waterfront setting. Fairytale accommodation includes classic double rooms and grand, opulent suites, plus brand new luxury Scottish hot tub lodges for that intimate, get-away-from-it-all escape.
https://www.cornhillcastle.co.uk/
Take a romantic stroll around the loch, relax over dinner and wine in the stunning Glasshouse restaurant with its seasonal menus and contemporary design, and retire to one of the tastefully decorated rooms, all at the Alona Hotel in Strathclyde Country Park. Lochside rooms come with stunning views, and with the park on your doorstep, there are plenty of opportunities for peaceful walks with your loved one.
Charming and quirky, Stoury Bothy sits on a working farm, surrounded by spectacular scenery on the outskirts of Kilsyth. There’s a touch of history thrown in too, as the farm is located on the site of the Battle of Kilsyth, which took place in 1645. Cosy and original, the tastefully decorated bothy is a romantic little hideaway, with an outside hut which is the perfect spot in which to sit with a hot chocolate to watch the world go by. There are lovely walks nearby, and the local pub is a short stroll away.
Home to nine stunning en-suite bedrooms, each decorated in a period style and named in honour of a historical custodian of the place, Crossbasket Castle boasts period window and bed dressings, original antique furniture and luxuriously over-sized beds. For a regal romantic getaway, this is a beautiful location, with the option to dine in opulent surroundings at the latest contemporary restaurant from the Roux culinary dynasty. Dishes showcase fare from Scotland’s renowned natural larder with an added touch of creative flair from the iconic Roux team.
https://crossbasketcastle.com/
Rest, refresh and revive your flagging spirits at one of Lanarkshire’s many impressive spa retreats.
Relax and revitalise at New Lanark Mill Hotel’s fantastic leisure and beauty centre. Facilities include a swimming pool, bubble pool, steam room, sauna, a health and fitness studio and a gym with a full range of equipment. Whether you want to shape up and improve your fitness level, or simply relax and unwind, this superb facility has everything you need. The sumptuous four-star hotel is located in the heart of New Lanark World Heritage Site, a beautifully restored 18th century cotton mill village.
https://www.newlanarkhotel.co.uk/
The peaceful countryside setting of East Kilbride’s Crutherland House Hotel and Spa is the tranquil backdrop to a range of treatments and short breaks designed to put the spring back in your step. Visitors can take a leisurely swim in the pool, enjoy quiet reflection in the relaxation room or sweat it out in the bright and airy state-of-the-art gym. Spa treatments include relaxing massages and soothing facials.
https://www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/crutherland-house
Westerwood Spa and Golf Resort is a beautiful space in which to unwind and recharge. The spa offers a wide range of soothing, relaxing and invigorating treatments, with full days and short break options available, so you can make the most of the other facilities on offer, including an 18-hole golf course designed by Seve Ballesteros and Dave Thomas and the award-winning Flemings Restaurant.
https://www.thewesterwoodhotel.co.uk/
The joy of a self-catering holiday is the freedom to live at your own pace, and Lanarkshire is home to a breathtaking variety of quiet, quirky and quite unusual homes-from-home.
Sweeney Apartments and Rooms in Motherwell are classy boltholes, perfect for a city break or romantic weekend getaway. Located close to fantastic restaurants, bars and the motorway network, these stylish self-catering properties offer luxury at affordable prices, with elegant décor and bright, airy rooms. All mod cons are provided.
Cormiston Farm’s Georgian Farmhouse sleeps up to six people in three bedrooms (including a sumptuous four-poster) and the fantastic facilities are all the more appealing because the energy used to power them - and the rest of the farm - is all generated from renewable sources. Families, walkers and cyclists are all welcome, with secure sheds for the bikes, washdown facilities and a laundry service.
Escape to The New Farmhouse, a beautiful Scandinavian-built lodge, for a self-catering holiday with a host of activities on the doorstep. Perfect for families, it’s located in the peaceful countryside close to the town of Biggar. The large secure garden with swings is ideal for children and if the weather does not allow for a barbecue, cosy up in front of the wood-burning stove inside instead.
Self-catering enthusiasts are spoiled for choice on the spectacular Carmichael Estate, located between Lanark and Biggar. There are 13 cottages dotted around the historic estate, all pet-friendly, and each with its own story to tell. Choose from, among others, the two-storey Coachman’s House, the cosy two-bedroomed Eagle Lodge or Laundry Cottage, which was part of the original 18th-century mansion house laundry building.
Lanarkshire hotels provide a warm welcome to walkers and cyclists looking to explore the area’s vast network of paths, trails and tracks.
Allanfauld Farm is situated at the foot of the Kilsyth hills and close to the Forth and Clyde canals, making it a popular base for walkers and cyclists. In fact, the farm offers a pick up/drop off service for people coming to the area to take advantage of the fantastic trails. The working farm’s successful and welcoming B&B business offers three rooms in the farmhouse and a self-contained luxury wooden house situated in the garden, which sleeps up to three people.
The Tollpark section of Scotland’s famous Antonine Wall lies just behind the Castlecary House Hotel near Cumbernauld, making it a popular venue for walkers keen to visit the Roman landmark. After exploring this pretty woodland walk, relax in the hotel’s pleasant rooms or enjoy freshly-prepared, home-cooked food in the Cary Bar and Grill.
The Popinjay Hotel in the charming village of Rosebank welcomes walkers and cyclists keen to take advantage of the new and improved paths and tracks which form the Clyde Walkway. The hotel, one of the central belt’s most famous, is the starting point for the Rosebank Circular, a woodland walk which takes in Stonebyres Falls. The Tudor-style country house celebrates heritage and modern comforts side by side, with romantic scenery, pleasant rooms and all-day dining.
https://www.facebook.com/ThePopinjayHotel/
Tinto Hotel is an excellent base for those planning to climb Tinto Hill, a great walk with resulting spectacular views as far afield as the Lake District and Northern Ireland’s mountains of Mourne. Nestled in five acres of stunning gardens, this traditional country house hotel boasts standard, superior and dog-friendly rooms, and its restaurant serves up fantastic breakfasts, a diverse range of classic and contemporary dishes, and delicious Sunday brunch.
Delightful cottages and converted barns on working farms make for unusual short breaks, and Lanarkshire is home to some of the best.
The Bothy at Cleugh Farm is a rural treat, a converted barn which is now luxurious self-catering for two people. Set in beautiful countryside near Lanark, this award winning property has been renovated to the highest standard, with central heating, a spacious lounge and a private, secluded garden. Guests can observe life on the farm, enjoy scenic walks nearby or venture into the surrounding hills for fresh air and stunning views.
The brand new, soon-to-open Bowmuir Farm Cottages near Biggar comprise family and dog-friendly self-catering cabins in a peaceful woodland setting around a pond on the farm. Each cabin includes a living/dining area, kitchenette, bedroom and bathroom, private garden and hot tub. Visitors can also hire the BBQ hut for a cosy family get-together or chill-out with friends.
https://www.bowmuirfarm.co.uk/
The 100-acre Easter Glentore Farm, near Airdrie, boasts panoramic views of the hills and its comfortable self-catering accommodation, Acorn Cottage, comes complete with a new conservatory and relaxing outside seating area. The charming cottage sleeps five people and is furnished and equipped to a high standard.
https://www.easterglentorefarm.com/
Camping is a fun way to enjoy the great outdoors – and if you like a little added luxury, try glamping instead.
At Eden Leisure Village near Cumbernauld, the views are exceptional and the accommodation is fantastic, ranging from intriguing-sounding hobbit huts and stylish glamping pods to bell tents and the quirky Glampervan. Visitors can enjoy the use of the site’s luxury, well-equipped kitchen, and dine on bespoke, home crafted furniture before relaxing in an appealing lounge area.
The well-maintained Biggar Park Caravan and Camping Centre welcomes guests throughout the year, in tents, campervans, motorhomes and caravans. Facilities are comprehensive, with toilet block, hot showers, a washing up area, laundry and drinking water points. It is a 10-minute stroll from Biggar, but there is plenty to do in the park itself, including an 18-hole golf course, coffee shop and play area for younger children.
For a real get-away-from-it-all camping break, head to Lettershaws Farm near Biggar and Abington. The field is bordered by a river on one side and a young wood on the other, so shake off the stresses of everyday life and enjoy uninterrupted countryside views, scenic walks and fresh air in abundance. The welcome is warm and the site is Camping and Caravanning Club certified with easy access to Lanarkshire, Glasgow and Edinburgh.