Lanbig one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Lanbig here.

In full agreement with Markle's review. Nice route with some minor alterations available to make the road crossings safer.

I've walked or cycled all of this route but at different times, mostly before it was a Slow Way route.

Head to Lanark Castlebank Park where there are info boards showing the Dell path down to the Clyde and along to New Lanark. The path is steep and includes many flights of steps, and there are warning signs of the cliff edges.

Keeping the Clyde to your right, walk through the New Lanark World Heritage Site to rejoin Clyde path through archway running alongside the river (there is an alternative path through woodland higher up the valley side). There are maps on info boards.

Walk past the small hydro power station then up to the viewpoint of the dramatic waterfalls. Some sections have flights of steps. Then on to the weir to cross the Clyde. Turn left down the single track access road to continue along the river until the public road. Here there is a narrow metal gateway to pass through. It's the only part of the route where there is fly-tipping.

Up and along local roads to cross the A70, then back onto local roads to Carmichael.

At Carmichael the Slow ways route carries straight over the crossroads (signposted no through road) past the school and becomes a private road, then on past a derelict old mansion. Before this there is a signpost to the right to take a diversion to Carmichael Visitor Centre, which has a tea room if you wish. On the Slow ways route continue to meet the A73 at a rather dangerous crossing because the busy fast road is on a blind bend.

An alternative route at Carmichael crossroads is to turn right and continue along the signposted cycle route. This meets the Tinto Hill tearoom at the A73 and has a safer crossing point. Go straight ahead into Thankerton to meet up with the Slow ways route again.

From here on the route uses fairly quiet public roads in Biggar. There are are no pavements. The last straight road into Biggar (Lindsaylands road) is probably the least pleasant part of the whole route.

There is however an alternative footpath from Cormiston Farm to Biggar, which is marked by a signpost on the road. However the path route is not obvious. But in summary: from the road head up the track and through the gate. Make a right turn through the set of 3 or 4 large gates used as farm animal pens. Onwards the track bears left and after maybe 50m a gate on the right leads into a field. Cross over the field to a gate on the opposite side and pick up the track again through trees. From here on it's easy to follow and this will take you to the edge of Biggar.

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