Discover Lanark from two perspectives: through its history as a market town and through trails that range from a town walk to paths and longer riverside routes. There is also a local tradition with a set time of year, as well as landscape features in the Clyde Valley. When planning your visit, it helps to decide first whether church history, the Lanimer tradition or outdoor activities should be the main focus.

Church, museum and the Lanimer tradition

St Kentigern’s Church in Lanark was built in the 13th century; the remains of the church have survived. Tradition also associates it with a meeting between William Wallace and his marriage to Marion Braidfute. The church thus offers two distinct historical perspectives: a surviving medieval building and a tradition linked to Wallace.

The Royal Burgh of Lanark Museum houses a collection that illustrates Lanark’s long and varied history. Its first exhibition opened in spring 1991; exhibitions have been held there every year since. Check separately before your visit to see which exhibition is currently on display. This lets you consider the town’s long history and the current exhibition programme as two separate aspects of your planning.

The Lanimer tradition also has a historical background. The Perambulation of the Marches in Lanark dates back to 1752. The Lanimers grew out of the annual duty of checking the boundary stones. Lanimer Day traditionally takes place on a Thursday between 6 and 12 June. If you want to plan your trip around the festival day, check the dates for the relevant year.

Walks and landscape trails

The Lanark Heritage Trail is a walking loop through the historic market town of Lanark. It starts at Lanark Train Station. As the published starting point may change when the trail is revised, check it, along with the route details, before setting off. This lets you combine a town walk with a historical theme without relying on unverified route information.

The Stey Brae is a footpath in Lanark used year-round, offering views of the Mouse Valley below. In the Clyde Valley, Cartland Craigs is one of the most dramatic wooded gorges. Together, these two landscape features offer different perspectives: a path with views into the valley and a wooded gorge.

A circular path runs around Lanark Loch. Castlebank Park has a Wildflower & Tree Trail. These offer two more types of route: a loop around a body of water and a named trail focusing on wildflowers and trees. Which one better suits your day depends on whether you would prefer to plan a walk around the loch or a trail in the park.

Visitors can access the Clyde Valley Woodlands NNR from Lanark at Leitchford Bridge and follow paths and minor roads on a circular route. This differs from the walk through the market town: the route described for the reserve follows paths and minor roads. The Clyde Walkway runs through the area around Lanark. The 65 km route follows the river and connects Glasgow city centre with the Falls of Clyde at New Lanark. The route operator recommends checking conditions before setting off.

As another activity, Lanark - Lifestyles has a 25 m swimming pool and a hydrotherapy pool. As availability and operating arrangements may change, check the current rules before visiting. This is different from the trails and historical sites mentioned above: it involves pools at a facility, not an outdoor route.

Plan your stay around your interests

The different times and locations can help you choose a focus: the church and its remains are a permanent historical feature; Lanimer Day falls within a recurring annual period; and it is worth checking the museum’s current exhibition programme. The trails range from a walk through the market town to a 65 km riverside route in the surrounding area. If you plan to walk, check the details and conditions for each route rather than treating the different trail options as a single route.

Lanark can be reached from Glasgow Central via Motherwell. Check the operator’s current travel information before your trip. You can then plan around the historical sites you want to visit, the date of Lanimer Day or the trails that interest you.

Discover more destinations: Abington, Biggar, Leadhills, East Kilbride, Cambuslang, Blantyre, Carluke, Lesmahagow

For the wider travel overview: South Lanarkshire.