parks-and-leisure

A fairly new park to Lanark, it became public in 1928 at the bequest of Mr James Smith Watson of Delves House, who left it to the Town Council on his death. In 1938 a Dr Thom gifted money for tarring part of the ground and for erecting swings.

This small leafy park was once a popular play area for kids the swings are still there but these days it’s mostly used by dog walkers and those taking a shortcut down to Castlebank Park from the town centre. A lovely spot in all seasons, it’s the perfect sun trap and a great place for a quiet picnic on a warm summers day.

About the reserve

Owned and managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT), the Falls of Clyde nature reserve is truly one of the most spectacular, relaxing and inspiring spots in Lanarkshire, with beautiful riverside walks and an abundance of wildlife. A walk through the reserve is always a special occasion, made more so when you consider how many poets and painters, like Wordsworth and Turner, have been inspired by the reserve, to put pen or brush to paper.
The Falls of Clyde is the collective name of four ‘Linn’ (Scots for waterfalls) and comprises of the upper falls of Bonnington Linn (11m high – 30-45 minutes walk) , Corra Linn (28m high – 20-25 minutes walk), Dundaff Linn (3m high – close to New Lanark), and the lower falls of Stonebyres Linn.

Corra Linn is the highest with an impressive 28m (90 feet) of water cascading through the dramatic gorge, even more impressive when the river is in full spate shortly after heavy rain.

The reserve itself stretches along both sides of the Clyde gorge, from New Lanark to Bonnington Weir. As well as the falls, the gorge is fringed by ancient natural woodland and modern mixed plantation and provides suitable habitat for badgers, roe deer, and over 100 species of bird, including a resident pair of nesting peregrine falcons. Nowhere else in Great Britain can you get as close to these wonderful birds as you can at the Falls of Clyde Reserve. High powered telescopes and binoculars are available for a ‘birds eye’ view’ along with the guidance of an expert species protection officer.

Be on the lookout too because within the reserve the River Clyde is a suitable habitat for otters and kingfishers, and you might just catch a glimpse of the protected Brook Lamprey, hear a hooting owl or watch the bats flying as dusk falls.

The Falls of Clyde Visitor Centre, operated by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, features exhibits about the waterfalls, the woodland and the area animals, including a special bat display. On summer evenings there are ranger led badger and bat walks. The Scottish Wildlife Trust run a summer events programme and educational group visits can be arranged. The Clyde Walkway long distance path passes all four falls and ends at Bonnington Linn.

Best time to visit
• Apr to Jun for breeding peregrines
• May to Aug for flowering plants
• Sep to Nov for fungi

Opening Times
The Wildlife Reserve is open all year round, although restrictions will be in place during 'Operation Peregrine' which runs between April and July. The Falls of Clyde Visitor Centre and "Foragers" shop is open every day 11.00 – 17.00, except during January and February when opening hours are between 12.00 -16.00.

Getting aroud the reserve
The reserve has a network of paths, including the top section of the Clyde Walkway. Pick up a map at the Visitor Centre for more information. Take great care on the reserve as the path is steep in places, particularly close to the gorge edge and the river. There is good wheelchair access to the visitor centre, however access is limited on the adjacent Falls of Clyde reserve. A comprehensive upgrade of access will be carried out in the coming years-please contact the ranger service for more details.

Other odds and sods?
The word corra is said to come from the Gaelic 'currach', meaning a marshy place.
A legend gives 'Cora' as a daughter of King Malcolm II, who leapt to her death here whilst trying to escape imagined danger.
Near Corra Linn is the Pavilion, built by Sir John Carmichael of Bonnington, probably in 1708. The Pavilion had mirrors on its back wall and when the doors were opened, visitors had the illusion of standing beneath the falls.
The 15th century Corra Castle is next to Corra Linn. It is now home to a family of rare bats.

Nobody really knows when the racecourse originated, maps have shown the racecourse loop since 1815.  It hosted Scotland’s first international air show in 1910, an event that attracted over 250,000 people. During the war period it was used as an aerodrome and is still an official emergency aerodrome.  Rumour has it that spitfires were stored there in huge wooden boxes.

Lanark Tolbooth is a building of historical significance, its past including housing the burgh jail until the 1830s. It occupies a prime site in Lanark High Street and was a shop for many years until funding was obtained to restore the building and open it as a Heritage Centre. A charitable trust was formed and a management committee set up to run it. Its facilities are available to local organisations; commercial lets are not considered.

To book, contact Ian Veitch on Lanark 01555 664113.

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Swimming Timetable
Fitness Timetable

Spring Break April Holidays - Kids Swimming Lessons
Spring Break Kids Activities Timetable

If you want to get in shape, increase your stamina or simply enjoy a healthier lifestyle there’s the Club Gym. The gym is equipped with a wide range of new cardio-vascular and resistance equipment suitable for the novice and advanced users.

Ever heard of Body Pump, Body Combat or Zumba? These are just some of the body training system fitness classes South Lanarkshire Lifestyles has to offer. The trained fitness instructors keep their classes fresh and up to date with routines tailored to popular music. So if you haven’t heard of any of these classes, give them a shot for an exhilarating and rewarding experience.

Swimming is great fun and it’s also known to be one of the best exercises you can do! It exercises your whole body - heart, lungs, and muscles. Whether you fancy a quick dip or taking the kids for a fun activity, Lanark's safe and spacious 25 meter pool is ideal.

A great way to relax at the end of a hard day or at your leisures, is to enjoy a revitalising sauna. Lanark's health suite provides a spacious sauna, steam room, showers and lounge area, making it the ultimate place to unwind. The saunas dry heat detoxifies you, while the steam rooms humid heat hydrates skin and soothes your muscles.

Once you’re finished your session, sit down and relax in the Starbucks coffee shop….Perfect!

A variety of Memberships for fitness, health suite and swimming are available.

The Royal Burgh of Lanark Museum houses a collection of items which illustrate the ancient and varied history of the town. Lanark is one of Scotland's oldest burghs and from the time of King William the Lion, was a favoured hunting area of the Kings of Scotland. It also has associations with two of Scotland's greatest heroes: William Wallace and King Robert the Bruce.