own showofautumncolour. from Septemberonwardsthetreesputontheir In Maybluebellscarpetthewoodlandfloorand for walking,wildlifewatchingandexploring. The ClydeValley Woodlands isagreatplace What todo Toilets inLanark. Snacks andrefreshmentsinLanark. Views ofthewoodedrivergorge. fort. remainsoftwelfthcentury Earthwork flowers (bluebellsbestduringMay). other woodlandbirds.Woodland woodpeckers, treecreepersand Kingfishers, dippers,greatspotted sided gorge. Linear pathalongthetopofasteep-

Way to go Way and Cartland Craigs form two separate areas of woodland to the north of . A path links the two, creating a linear walk of about 3 miles (4.8kms). Conditions underfoot are generally good, but the path can get muddy in places after wet weather. Need to know There are steep slopes and unfenced, unstable cliffs throughout the reserve. Exercise caution and keep would also advise away from the gorge edges. We that children are accompanied and that dogs must be kept on a lead or under close control. More… Scottish Natural Heritage (in partnership with and the Scottish Wildlife Trust Woodlands Council) manages the Clyde Valley NNR. Contact us on 01555 665928 or visit our website at www.snh.org.uk outdoors Enjoy ’s responsibly • take responsibility for your own actions • respect the interests of other people • care for the environment A72 www.nnr-scotland.org.uk Why notpaythemavisittoo? driveaway? are justashort Did youknowthatthemagnificentFallsofClyde Enjoyed yourvisit? www.travelinescotland.com Traveline Scotland–08712002233 Public transport A73. ofthetowncentreon about onemilenorth-west Bridge, sideofCartland area onthenorth-east There isroomforafewcarsatsmallparking ofLanark. The woodlandsarejusttothenorth CraigsandCleghornGlen Cartland . regular trainlinkwithGlasgowCentraland and iswellsign-postedfromtheM74.Ithasa (25 miles/40kms)orEdinburgh(35miles/56kms) Lanark islessthananhour’s drivefromGlasgow Lanark Getting there

Cartland Craigs Cartland A73 CARLUKE

Cleghorn Glen Cleghorn A721

A743 LANARK

A706 Ancient tradition Ancient Lanark is one of the oldest Royal Burghs in Scotland, having been granted its charter in 1140. One of the duties of the burghs was to check their boundaries and the people of Lanark have done this every year Every June, hundreds of since receiving their charter. people join the Lanimer procession to check the 15 boundary or ‘march’ stones, some of which are in the nature reserve. During the procession, many people carry birch twigs taken from the Cleghorn Glen woodlands. This tradition started in the 1840s when an ancient dispute with the Lairds of Jerviswood came to a head. The then Laird tried to stop the procession from crossing his land and accused the ‘perambulators’ of damaging his newly planted birch when the records were checked, it trees. However, was discovered the Laird had never officially been sold the land. Since then, the townspeople have carried the twigs to show they have exercised their right to walk the Jerviswood lands. The modern, week-long Lanimer celebrations also include a procession of floats or ‘lorries’, a formal ball and the crowning of the Lanimer Queen.

Creative management and writing by Vivienne Crow, design, illustrations and maps by Visual Imprint, photos by Vivienne Crow, Lanark Lanimer Committee and Lorne Gill/SNH. © SNH 2009. National NatureReserve Clyde Valley Woodlands Secret glensandamightymouse Cleghorn Glenand Cleghorn Cartland Craigs Cartland VISIT The Clyde Valley Woodlands The Clyde Valley Discover deep, hidden gorges cloaked in ancient woodland where rare species cling to the steep slopes and wildlife flourishes in an undisturbed world. Key Coloured square IfIf you notice a tree with its aspen corresponds to coloured barkb stripped off, it’s likely Entrance to site grooves on the trail posts. thatth a roe deer buck has beenb marking his territory. Aspen reproduce by throwing out suckers from the roots of Limited parking a parent tree. Young trees can A mighty Mouse roe ddeereer grow up to 40 metres from the Evidence of 12th The tiny, but powerful rises in peatat parent, but remain connected century fort bogs to the north-east of Lanark. In its few short milesmiles,, through their roots, forming just it slices through the surrounding countryside to fformorm one individual organism. Viewpoint two magnificent gorges. With waterfalls tumbling away to their rendezvous with the , the Dead wood provides ideal burn was once used to power mills and factories, and living conditions for many is still used to generate hydroelectricity today. species of invertebrate, Fulwood

Carving through the landscape As you walk the woodland trail, the trees occasionally part to reveal snatched glimpses of steep-sided sandstone cliffs. After the last Ice Age, torrents of meltwater came carving through the surrounding Cleghorn plateau, cutting into the bedrock of old red sandstone and slicing through the debris left behind by the ice to create the dramatic gorges you see today.

trails they leave in the search of invertebrates to eat. Woodend undergrowth. You may even see hairs left behind on wires where one of these trails A hidden history goes under a fence. This secret world is not only a haven for plants and animals; its seclusion has also provided humans with been security through the ages. William Wallace is said to s were have hidden in a natural cleft in the rocks of Cartland Craigs after fleeing from enemy soldiers garrisoned in an oa ark R Lanark at the end of the thirteenth century. Today, hoverfly badgers Wallace’s Cave – one of two in the area – is Cartland Bridge peza ter leuco aulacigas Living on the edge inaccessible to walkers. Before Wallace, in about Spring is the best time to enjoy the colour and Protecting this diversity 1100, Castle Qua was built on the high ground above the crags. All we know about the fort is that it Out of harm’s way... perfume of the 210 species of flowering plants that The unusually wide variety of species, including rare once had an underground living space. Only a low These peaceful woods are rare remnants of ancient cling to these dramatic slopes. This is also the time beetles and caddis flies, makes the reserve important, earth mound remains today. forests that once covered much of southern and when the trees are filled with the beautiful song of the not only on a national scale, but also at European central Scotland. They have survived relatively long-tailed tit, redstart, wood warbler and chaffinch. level. It is Scottish Natural Heritage’s job to protect Hundreds, if not thousands of drivers cross Thomas undisturbed – thanks to the steep slopes on which they Above the sound of the tumbling river below, listen too this habitat for generations to come. This includes Telford’s Cartland Bridge to and from work every day. live, making the area unsuitable for timber extraction for the great spotted woodpecker hammering away. felling some non-native trees to allow Scottish species The best way to see this imposing 39 metre-tall and agriculture. Look up into the canopy and you’ll If you’re lucky, you may even catch sight of tawny to thrive, coppicing and building bird and bat boxes. structure, reputedly the second highest bridge over fresh see mostly oak and ash, but there are also stands of owls, kingfishers and a host of mammals, including Dead wood, an important habitat in its own right, is water in Scotland, is from the woodland Scot’s pine, birch and aspen. Nearer the ground, badgers, otters and roe deer. Barn owls and brown also left to decay. path. hazel, rowan and holly dominate. hares can be seen in the surrounding fields. own showofautumncolour. from Septemberonwardsthetreesputontheir In Maybluebellscarpetthewoodlandfloorand for walking,wildlifewatchingandexploring. The ClydeValley Woodlands isagreatplace What todo Toilets inLanark. Snacks andrefreshmentsinLanark. Views ofthewoodedrivergorge. fort. remainsoftwelfthcentury Earthwork flowers (bluebellsbestduringMay). other woodlandbirds.Woodland woodpeckers, treecreepersand Kingfishers, dippers,greatspotted sided gorge. Linear pathalongthetopofasteep-

Way to go Way Cleghorn Glen and Cartland Craigs form two separate areas of woodland to the north of Lanark. A path links the two, creating a linear walk of about 3 miles (4.8kms). Conditions underfoot are generally good, but the path can get muddy in places after wet weather. Need to know There are steep slopes and unfenced, unstable cliffs throughout the reserve. Exercise caution and keep would also advise away from the gorge edges. We that children are accompanied and that dogs must be kept on a lead or under close control. More… Scottish Natural Heritage (in partnership with and South Lanarkshire the Scottish Wildlife Trust Woodlands Council) manages the Clyde Valley NNR. Contact us on 01555 665928 or visit our website at www.snh.org.uk outdoors Enjoy Scotland’s responsibly • take responsibility for your own actions • respect the interests of other people • care for the environment A72 www.nnr-scotland.org.uk Why notpaythemavisittoo? driveaway? are justashort Did youknowthatthemagnificentFallsofClyde Enjoyed yourvisit? www.travelinescotland.com Traveline Scotland–08712002233 Public transport A73. ofthetowncentreon about onemilenorth-west Bridge, sideofCartland area onthenorth-east There isroomforafewcarsatsmallparking ofLanark. The woodlandsarejusttothenorth CraigsandCleghornGlen Cartland Motherwell. regular trainlinkwithGlasgowCentraland and iswellsign-postedfromtheM74.Ithasa (25 miles/40kms)orEdinburgh(35miles/56kms) Lanark islessthananhour’s drivefromGlasgow Lanark Getting there

Cartland Craigs Cartland A73 CARLUKE

Cleghorn Glen Cleghorn A721

A743 LANARK

A706 Ancient tradition Ancient Lanark is one of the oldest Royal Burghs in Scotland, having been granted its charter in 1140. One of the duties of the burghs was to check their boundaries and the people of Lanark have done this every year Every June, hundreds of since receiving their charter. people join the Lanimer procession to check the 15 boundary or ‘march’ stones, some of which are in the nature reserve. During the procession, many people carry birch twigs taken from the Cleghorn Glen woodlands. This tradition started in the 1840s when an ancient dispute with the Lairds of Jerviswood came to a head. The then Laird tried to stop the procession from crossing his land and accused the ‘perambulators’ of damaging his newly planted birch when the records were checked, it trees. However, was discovered the Laird had never officially been sold the land. Since then, the townspeople have carried the twigs to show they have exercised their right to walk the Jerviswood lands. The modern, week-long Lanimer celebrations also include a procession of floats or ‘lorries’, a formal ball and the crowning of the Lanimer Queen.

Creative management and writing by Vivienne Crow, design, illustrations and maps by Visual Imprint, photos by Vivienne Crow, Lanark Lanimer Committee and Lorne Gill/SNH. © SNH 2009. National NatureReserve Clyde Valley Woodlands Secret glensandamightymouse Cleghorn Glenand Cleghorn Cartland Craigs Cartland VISIT The Clyde Valley Woodlands The Clyde Valley Discover deep, hidden gorges cloaked in ancient woodland where rare species cling to the steep slopes and wildlife flourishes in an undisturbed world.