Things to do in Lanarkshire
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Museum of Lead Mining
‘Lead mining’: even the phrase has a sort of dulling effect on the brain, and you’d think it’d be a tough ask to make the subject interesting. But at the Museum of Lead Mining at little Wanlockhead, off the motorway northwest of Moffat, they pull it off. It’s apparently Scotland’s highest village, and not necessarily a place you’d have chosen for quality of life back in the day. The tour of the place is fascinating, and family-friendly, taking in a real mine, miners’ cottages, a unique library, and a display on lead-mining and other minerals. In summer, they also run gold-panning activities (£3).
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Falls of Clyde
The Falls of Clyde Wildlife Centre is also by the river in New Lanark. This place has child-friendly displays focused on badgers, bats, peregrine falcons and other prominent species. In season, there's a live video feed of peregrines nesting nearby. Outside is a bee tree, where you can see honey being made.
From the centre, you can walk up to Corra Linn and Bonnington Linn (one hour), two of the Falls of Clyde that inspired Turner and Wordsworth, through the beautiful nature reserve managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust.
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Prego
This perpetually busy Italian restaurant manages to create a modern ambience in a traditional setting. It dishes up excellent pasta, pizza and fillet steak at very reasonable prices, and the service matches the cuisine.
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New Lanark Visitor Centre
You need to buy a ticket to enter the main attractions. These include a huge working spinning mule, producing woollen yarn, the Historic Schoolhouse, which contains an innovative, high-tech journey to New Lanark's past via a 3D hologram of the spirit of Annie McLeod, a 10-year-old mill girl who describes life here in 1820. The kids will love it as it's very realistic, although the 'do good for all mankind' theme is a little overbearing.
Also included in your admission is a millworker's house, Robert Owen's home and exhibitions on 'saving New Lanark'. There's also a 1920s-style village store.
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Falls of Clyde Wildlife Centre
The wildlife centre is also by the river in New Lanark. This place has child-friendly displays focused on badgers, bats, peregrine falcons and other prominent species. In season, there's a live video feed of peregrines nesting nearby. Outside is a bee tree, where you can see honey being made.
From the centre, you can walk up to Corra Linn (30 minutes) and Bonnington Linn (one hour), two of the Falls of Clyde that inspired Turner and Wordsworth, through the beautiful nature reserve managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. You could return via the muddier path on the opposite bank, pass New Lanark, and cross the river a little further downstream to make a circular walk of it …
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Craignethan Castle
This castle has a very authentic feel – it hasn't been restored beyond recognition – and is in a stunning, tranquil spot, too. You'll feel miles from anywhere, so bring a picnic and make a day of it.
With a commanding position above the River Nethan, this extensive ruin includes a virtually intact tower house and a caponier (unique in the UK) – a small gun emplacement with holes in the wall so men with handguns could pick off attackers. The chilly chambers under the tower house are quite eerie.
Craignethan is 5 miles northwest of Lanark. If you don't have your own transport, take an hourly Lanark–Hamilton bus to Crossford, then follow the footpath along the northern…
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La Vigna
This well established local favourite is a great spot, seemingly plucked from some bygone age with its quietly efficient service and, charmingly, a separate menu for ladies – without prices! The food is distinctly Italian, albeit using sound Scottish venison, beef, and fish, and there are also vegetarian options. The set-price lunch is fine value at £13.
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Crown Tavern
Off the main street, the Crowny is a local favourite. It's a highly regarded place that does good bar meals and even better food (pasta, seafood and vegetarian dishes) in the evenings in its restaurant. Try the local trout or the Highlander chicken.
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