The central belt of Scotland is dominated by this expansive region that packs in open-air museums, popular heritage sites and seldom-explored scenery.
North and South Lanarkshire take up a vast swath of Scotland in between the two major cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow. This central region is often overlooked but it contains a wealth of attractions for those who do stop here. Take some time to explore Lanarkshire to discover its numerous charms.
Experience ancient history at the Antonine Wall, which marks one of the furthest reaches of the Roman Empire and is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Follow a walking trail along the wall, built in around A.D. 140.
The village of New Lanark, another UNESCO site, represents more recent local history. Take photos outside the picturesque 18th-century cotton mill, backed by the Falls of Clyde.
Explore the towns of Lanarkshire, such as lively Hamilton. Here, you can visit the popular Low Parks Museum, a social history museum hosted in a 17th-century home. Nearby Strathclyde Country Park offers watersports, walking trails and roller coasters.
Lanarkshire contains several family-friendly attractions in the form of open-air museums and stately homes. Stand in awe of the banqueting halls and exhibition rooms in the 18th-century hunting lodge at Chatelherault Country Park. Nature trails around the edges of the lodge and a children’s play area make this a particularly popular destination for families.
Travel back to the era of the industrial revolution at the Summerlee Industrial Museum. Ride heritage trams, disappear into a mine and marvel at the still-operational machinery in the exhibition hall. The National Museum of Rural Life lets visitors meet a variety of livestock animals and explore a historic farmhouse.
Escape to a countryside of gentle, rolling hills and idyllic farmland. Villages such as Abington sit in the Lowther Hills, making for a pleasant stop while walking along the trails that cross the landscape.
Lanarkshire is easy to access, as several trains leave daily from Glasgow and Edinburgh, stopping at various points throughout the region. Visit in summer to enjoy long days in the hills of the region, untroubled by the masses of tourists who flock to Scotland’s cities.
