Newbigging to Lanark
This often forgotten corner of Lanarkshire was at the vanguard of the industrial revolution. En route are the remains of the Wilsontown Ironworks, one of the first in Scotland and now a national monument.
Industry has been important to the area but it is also an area of pleasant countryside, old farming communities and undulating back roads.
Distance: 20 miles
Grade: easy/moderate
Terrain: the route crosses gently undulating farmland and most climbs are short. Beyond Auchengray the road can be rough in places.
A-roads: 5 ½ miles; B-roads: 3; minor roads/cycle-path: 11 ½
Carnwath (off-route)
A traditional Scottish village strung out along the A70. A contender for the furthest point from the sea in Scotland it has always been regarded as a difficult place to reach. When James V travelled from Edinburgh he was heard to say: “It’s a lang whang” (a long way).
Burke and Hare, the infamous grave robbers may even have hidden out here when the heat was on in Edinburgh.
At the north end of the village is St Mary’s Aisle. A remnant of a larger collegiate church built in 1424. Inside are the tombs of lord and lady Sommerville who died in the mid 16th century.
(Detour: to reach Carnwath continue along A721 at Kaimend; resume route by following the A70 towards Edinburgh and take the second left ½ out of Carnwath).
Accommodation symbol; Eating & drinking symbol; Shop symbol
Auchengray
Auchengray was a once thriving rural community. The row of houses around the small square once housed an undertaker, a post office, a smithy and a pub.
The village church, on the left as you enter Auchngray, is particularly distinctive. The facade was designed by modern gothic architect F T Pilkington and is in the style of a Coptic church in Alexandria, Egypt.
No services
Wilsontown (Forth)
Wilsontown grew up around the ironworks founded here in 1779 by the Wilson brothers. Locally available coal, limestone and ironstone made it in some ways the perfect location.
So successful was the venture that by 1812 over 2000 people lived in the village. A church, a school and a bakery had to be built in what was previously empty countryside.
1812 was however the beginning on the end for Wilsontown as the spiralling costs of transportation and squabbling among the brothers brought litigation and bankruptcy.
The works were rarely in service after 1812 and were closed in 1824.
The Forestry Commission has developed a series of walks which explore the ironworks site and the adjoining woodland.
Eating & drinking symbol (Forth) Shop symbol (Forth)
Braehead
Braehead is a pleasant former mining community of low white washed cottages and a has a good public house serving bar meals.
Eating & drinking
Directions
To view route on google map click here; to download detailed directions click here
Turn right onto A721 at Nestlers Hotel. Follow A721 to Kaimend.
Take first right at Kaimend – Kersewell Avenue.
Follow Kersewell Avenue to T-junction with A70.
Turn right onto A70 and then left after 400 yards – signed for Auchengray and Woolfords.
Continue along road to Auchengray turning right uphill just before Auchengray.
Turn left just beyond cottages in Auchengray on narrow road (rough in places).
Follow minor road to Wilsontown.At T-junction with B7016 turn left – signed Braehead 3.
Follow B7016 to Braehead. In Braehead turn right onto Main Street.
Follow Main Street out of Braehead to T-junction.
Turn right and continue straight on through crossroads and downhill to T-junction.
Turn left and then immediately right.
Continue to T-junction with A706. Turn left.
At roundabout continue straight through for Lanark.
Follow A706 over level crossing and round to the right once over narrow bridge. Continue into Lanark.
Route info