Lanark/New Lanark to Douglas
The peaceful Douglas valley links these two historic burghs. The initial plunge into, and climb out of, the Clyde valley gives way to perfectly pleasant cycling through a landscape of hedgerows, dry stane dykes, patchwork fields and big old trees.
Distance: 11 miles
Grade: moderate
Terrain: fast descent out of Lanark is followed by climb that is steep in places. Remainder of route is level or gently undulating. Short off-road section on good surfaces to avoid A70 into Douglas.
A-roads: ¾ mile; B-roads: 0; minor roads/cycle-path – 10 ¼ miles
Lanark
Lanark is an intimate market town that sits high above the river Clyde on a classic defensive site. It is a handsome town with many elegant Victorian and Georgian buildings.
An important crossroads it can trace its history back to Roman times and was elevated to a Royal Burgh by David I in 1140.
William Wallace lived in Lanark and married Marion Braidfute in the town’s St Kentigern’s church (ruined). The marriage was short as Edward I’s sheriff in Lanark executed Marion after a skirmish involving Wallace and English soldiers garrisoned in the town. When Wallace emerged from hiding he avenged her death by killing the sheriff and in doing so set himself on the path to rebellion against the English occupation.
Accommodation symbol (link to visitlanarkshire.com); Eating & drinking symbol; Public transport symbol; Museum symbol; Bicycle shop symbol
New Lanark
Lanark’s precocious offspring is a perfectly preserved 18th century factory village of mills and tenement rows in a stunning woodland setting by the river Clyde.
In 2001 New Lanark was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites, in part, for the radical programme of social improvement that brought the village to prominence.
Richard Arkwright and David Dale started the project and by 1799 four mills were operational and employing 2000 people.
It was Robert Owen, Dale’s son-in-law, who enthusiastically pursued the radical social improvements. Not only were the mill workers and their families particularly well housed but they were also provided with evening lectures, schooling, nursery care and a co-operative store.
A large part of one tenement has been converted to an excellent SYHA hostel; there are the see-it-as-it-was attractions; a hotel; and a number of speciality shops.
Beyond the village lies the Falls of Clyde nature reserve and the spectacular series of waterfalls. Wordsworth, Turner and Coleridge and a number of crowned heads of Europe came to marvel at the overwhelming force of the waterfalls.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust manage the reserve and run a series of guided walks from their visitor centre in the village.
Accommodation Symbol (link to www.visitlanarkshire.com); Eating and Drinking Symbol; Museum symbol
Douglas
In the 13th and 14th centuries the Douglas family were among the most powerful families in Scotland and controlled most of the south west. It is from this family that the village takes its name.
The village was their powerbase and consequently the village has a rich history that can be immediately appreciated by wandering its narrow streets.
At the centre of the village, with a 15th century octagonal tower, is the old St Bride’s church. The clock in the tower is perhaps the oldest working clock in Scotland and was gifted to the church by Mary Queen of Scots in 1565.
Set in the floor of the church is a casket containing the heart of the ‘The Good’ Sir James Douglas – Robert the Bruce’s right hand man. He died in Spain while on a crusade with the heart of Robert the Bruce.
Douglas also has strong links with the Covenanters. The statue of the earl of Angus is pointing to a field where the Cameronian regiment was raised. The regiment was named after Richard Cameron – a hardline Covenanter killed at the battle of Aird’s Moss in 1680.
On Main Street there is a memorial to James Gavin, a tailor and covenanter, who had his ears cut off by Bloody Claverhouse with his own shears and was then deported to Barbados.
Accommodation Symbol (link to www.visitlanarkshire.com); Eating and Drinking Symbol
Directions
To view route on google map click here; to download detailed directions click here
Follow the A72 downhill, out of Lanark, to Kirkfieldbank.
Cross the Clyde and turn left onto Kirkfield Road. At flats take left fork – Byretown Road.
Follow Byretown Road to T-junction – turn left.
Continue along road in the direction of Douglas and Coalburn.
Ignore turning for Douglas Water and take next left indicated by small cycleway sign.
Follow to T-junction with B7078 (dual carriageway) – turn left onto cycle-path.
Follow cycle-path across dual carriageway short of roundabout. Continue round to the right and under roundabout.
Route continues in the direction of Abington, B7078. To visit Douglas either follow the A70 or descend to right to gate and follow unsurfaced road. Take second right downhill to ruined Douglas castle. Go to left at ruin and follow good track around small loch into Douglas.
Route info