Scotland has the richest variety of golf courses in the world and the Lanarkshire area is no exception.

Colville Park golf course was designed by golf legend James Braid. Situated just 1 mile from Motherwell, it has 18 holes and occupies a mix of beautiful woodland and parkland. Visitors are welcome on weekdays only and rounds should be booked in advance by calling the Professional on 01698 265779. 

Bellshill Golf Club has a deceptively simple 18 hole parkland course overlooking Strathclyde Park. Its well-maintained fairways are littered with bunkers and foliage to catch out wayward drives and there is also a small water hazard. The club has excellent facilities for members and non-members alike, although visitors should take note of the dress code.

Dalziel Park Golf Club is only 5 miles from Motherwell and offers demanding golf on a beautiful parkland course with narrow fairways and well-protected greens. Visiting golfers may play throughout the week except Saturdays and are assured a warm welcome.

Bothwell Castle Golf Club has a reputation for being among the best parkland courses in Central Scotland. This immaculate, challenging course has a fine mix of wide and narrow fairways some of which are lined with mature trees which lead up to well-manicured greens. It has a superb, modern clubhouse with excellent facilities, and visitors must book prior to playing and adhere to the club’s strict dress code.

Hamilton Golf Club on the grounds of Chatelherault Country Park was designed by famous course designer James Braid. This fantastic course may not be long, but its challenging fairways, plentiful mature trees and well-positioned bunkers pose a test to even low handicappers. The clubhouse is open to visitors and facilities include a driving range and rental carts. Visitors are welcome but rounds must be booked in advance.

Strathaven Golf Club is renowned as having one of the best courses in the area. A championship standard course with tree-lined fairways, perfect greens and a variety of holes, it offers a considerable golfing trial. A key feature of the course are the magnificent views of the surrounding countryside and hills.

Contact the Best Western Moorings Hotel Motherwell on 01698 258 131 for more information on golf in the Motherwell area.

Bothwell Castle is a dramatic ruin set on the banks of the Clyde where visitors can explore the Great Hall, Prison Tower, donjon (keep) and courtyard all of which have informative display cards.

Further up the Clyde Valley sits the mighty Craignethan Castle. It makes for a fascinating day out and constantly surprises visitors with its many exciting features and nooks and crannies to investigate.

Strathaven Castle is another fine example of a 14th century stronghold, although now in ruins and partly kept standing with concrete.

Hamilton Mausoleum is a magnificent building dating back to 1842. Among its impressive features are a detailed, marble mosaic floor, sculptures and carvings with Egyptian and Greek influence, a sombre crypt, and the chapel with has the longest echo in Europe at 15 seconds.

Chatelherault Country Park is a 5 star attraction centred around the impressive 18th century Hunting Lodge of the Duke of Hamilton. The structure is actually two buildings linked by a gateway which leads through to ornate gardens. Surrounding the Lodge is the Country Park which features the stunning Avon Gorge, miles of pleasant woodland walks and the ruins of Cadzow Castle.

For further information on these and other historic buildings in the Motherwell area contact the Best Western Moorings Hotel on 01698 258 131.

Motherwell Heritage Centre is a free admission, 4 star attraction focussing on local history. Its “Technopolis” is a multi-media tour which explores the area from Roman times through the Industrial Revolution up to the present day. It also features a viewing tower which affords magnificent views stretching from the Clyde Valley all the way to distant Ben Lomond, an exhibition gallery and a fully staffed family history research room.

Low Parks Museum is another 5 star visitor attraction situated in some of Hamilton’s finest historic buildings. Included in its displays is detailed information on the area’s Roman and regimental history while its Assembly Room often host musical events and seminars.

BIGGAR MUSEUM TRUST

The small town of Biggar is home to some of the best small museums in Scotland. The Biggar Museum Trust looks after six sites. Moat Park Heritage Centre which houses local geology displays, archaeological artifacts, model building displays and figures dressed in authentic period clothing. At Gladstone Court you can step back in time and walk through quaint Victorian streets and visit the fully fitted shops and businesses taking time to soak up the atmosphere of times past. Brownsbank Cottage was the home of poet Hugh Mcdiarmid. Now fully restored, it houses some of Mcdiarmid’s artifacts and books. Greenhill Covenanters’ House is a restored 17th century building which tells the story of the National Covenant, an important religious and political movement during the 1600s. Biggar Gasworks is a perfectly preserved gasworks and the only one of its kind in Scotland. It remains as it did when it closed down in 1973 when North Sea gas took over from coal produced gas.

For more information on these and other museums in the Motherwell area contact us on 01698 258 131.

New Lanark is a World Heritage Site nestled in the beautiful upper reaches of the Clyde Valley. Conceived in 1786 as a village and cotton mill, it thrived as a self-contained community with the villagers and mill-workers living the socialist dream.

Among its attractions are a fully restored 18th century cotton mill, the mill workers’ houses, and an award-winning visitor centre where you can follow the ghost of mill girl Annie McLeod as she depicts everyday life in this self-contained socialist community.

For more information on visiting New Lanark please contact the Best Western Moorings Hotel Motherwell on 01698 258 131.

Situated between Hamilton and Motherwell, Strathclyde Country Park host to the Triathlon during the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games is one of Scotland’s top recreational areas. Centred around Strathclyde Loch, it offers a variety of land- and water-based activities for the enthusiast and casual visitor alike. Its Watersports Centre is one of the top rowing centres in Britain but also offers activities such as dingy sailing, canoeing, windsurfing and boat trips. Equipment is available for hire and rescue boats are always on hand in case of emergencies. Fishing permits are available for course anglers who wish to fish the loch and its surrounding rivers and ponds.

The countryside around the loch is a walker’s and nature lover’s paradise as there are miles of woodland and parkland paths and tracks to explore. The area is a wildlife sanctuary and as such is home to a rich variety of animals, birds, flora and fauna. For those wishing guided tours, the Ranger Service provides periodical nature trails where enthusiasts can learn more detailed information on the Park’s thriving wildlife. They can be contacted on 01698 402090.

In contrast to a leisurely parkland walk is a visit to family theme park M&Ds where a full day is needed to take advantage of what it has to offer. Among its 40+ rides and attractions are rollercoasters, water rides, thrill rides and kiddies rides. Or take a break from the excitement and see parrots, toucans, monkeys, pythons and tarantulas at Amazonia, a fabulous indoor tropical rainforest which is the largest of its kind in Scotland.

For further information on what Strathclyde Country Park has to offer please contact the hotel on 01698 258 131.

The Clyde Walkway is a 40 mile footpath stretching from Glasgow’s East End to New Lanark and closely follows the River Clyde. Considered too long for most to complete in a single day, most walkers choose a section and have a more leisurely walk. Along the way you’ll see sites of cultural interest with either an urban backdrop or set amidst beautiful scenery. It ends just above the World Heritage Site of New Lanark where the Falls of Clyde never fail to disappoint.

Strathclyde Country Park has miles of footpaths winding through its woodland and meadows where you can see Roman remains and a wide variety of wildlife and flowers. Contact the local Ranger Service for details of guided walks through the wildlife sanctuary to learn more about their range or services. Or if you want total relaxation just take a leisurely stroll along the banks of Strathclyde Loch and take in the view.

For more information on the Clyde Walkway and walking in the Motherwell area please contact us on 01698 258 131.

Hamilton Park Racecourse is a historic horse racing course with and excellent reputation for flat racing. Although Hamilton Park has hosted horse racing since 1782, the current course was opened in 1926 and since then has pioneered the advent of evening and morning racing which has now become commonplace throughout the UK.

Today, Hamilton Park is the most high profile racecourse in Scotland and not only attracts top jockeys like Frankie Dettori, live music performances take place during the warmer months.

Racing takes place from May to September and a visit on race day is always an exciting and glamourous affair. Before the racing begins, visitors are welcome in the hospitality areas, parade and betting rings before walking round the short course. Every Hamilton Park race meeting has a theme such as Braveheart Night, Ladies Night, Farmers Market or Irish Night: racing isn't the only entertainment! Depending on the theme there are pipers, dancers, fashion shows and performances from both local and chart topping bands.

Facilities are excellent with many bars and fine eateries, disabled access and ample free parking. Ticket prices are reasonable with advance booking discounts available for some meetings, come in a variety of packages to suit all pockets, and can be pre-booked via Hamilton Park Racecourse’s online booking.

So why not enjoy a fantastic day at the races then a fine evening meal and comfy night’s stay at the Best Western Moorings Hotel. Call us today on 01698 258 131 for more details on events at Hamilton Park Racecourse.

Glasgow and Edinburgh provide a great day out if you’ve explored Motherwell and Lanarkshire’s leisure activities. Moorings Hotel to Glasgow is only 20 mins away by car, bus or train and Edinburgh around an hour.

Glasgow golf offers golfers of all ages and abilities excellent courses with superb facilities at 66 member clubs and 13 municipal courses. Golfers making the slightly longer trip for Edinburgh golf are rewarded with a wide variety of top quality park and heathland courses some with views that take the breath away.

The less energetic may prefer to visit the celebrated Glasgow museums to explore Glasgow and Scottish history or view paintings by the world’s greatest artists. Edinburgh museums provide an equally rich cultural day out.

To help plan your day out to either Glasgow or Edinburgh please call the Best Western Moorings Hotel on 01698 258 131.