The central belt of Scotland, home to most of the nation’s major cities and industrial towns from Edinburgh and Glasgow to Coatbridge and Paisley. The might of Scotland’s urban scene is here, unrivalled across the rest of the country.
But in the middle of it all is a country haven, a rural refuge to those who don’t like the hustle and bustle of big, urban places. Nestled between Motherwell, Hamilton and Bellshill, Strathclyde Country Park provides a much-needed dose of nature to an endless built-up area.
The Strathclyde Walk
On entering the park itself you are immediately greeted by its main feature: Strathclyde Loch. This loch is by far the biggest natural landmark of the park and hosts a whole range of wildlife, much of which comes to greet you on the shores. Swans, small gulls and legions of geese roam the water’s edge and go about their daily lives in peace and harmony. Ducks also join the aquatic avian community, and it is a joy to watch them all.
But continue your journey as there is plenty to discover. No need for hiking boots: the 3.7 mile main circuit around the loch is all paved, so terrain is not a problem. It will not be long before you hit woodland areas with beautiful trees flanking your path as you walk on to your next discovery. As the summer retreats and autumn advances, the leaves turn yellow and orange and shed all over the ground beneath your feet.
Historical marvels
Despite the difficulties the Romans had in conquering Scotland, their presence is nevertheless strong north of the border. In Strathclyde Country Park, particular evidence of this lies in a small clearing in the woods.
The Roman Military Bathhouse, situated near the Roman fort of Bothwellhaugh, provided one of the few ways for Roman soldiers to relax, away from the front lines and hardship of military life. Located a day’s march from the Antonine Wall, the fort itself was home to a garrison of 500 men belonging to the Auxilia, units recruited from the provinces of the empire.
Now, as with most Roman structures in Britain, the bathhouse is a ruin. But as with all old ‘ruins’ across the country, it is beautiful and does not merit the name ‘ruin’. It may have lost much of its once great architecture, but it still retains both its beauty and its history.
Places to take a break
Don’t worry if you haven’t packed a lunch for your walk around the park, as there are a few places to eat, albeit it at the M&D’s Scotland’s Theme Park, which is a bit of a contrast to the local natural beauty sites.
The layout inside the theme park’s main complex building resembles a street, with a yellow, four-way traffic light hanging from the ceiling and interesting metal signs adorning the walls. You are flanked by American diner layouts, complemented by a life-size motorbike decoration. The place truly gives you American vibes.
Strathclyde Country Park is a genuinely amazing place and a beautiful, natural refuge among the urban business of the central belt. As autumn dominates the nation’s season and the leaves fall from the trees, the park takes on a new kind of beauty as it reflects the time of year. Summer might be gone, but when the world loses the beauty of the greenery, it gains the yellow and golden beauty of autumnal nature.
More on Scotland:
