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The 25-mile (40-kilometer) Lanark, Tinto and Covington cycle route takes you along country roads, through rural landscapes and Lanarkshire’s best scenery. At the end of the route, Covington is an attractive hamlet of thatched cottages. A few miles east of Covington, Biggar Caravan Park has pitches for caravans, tourers and tents.
A 20-minute drive south of Lanark, the village of Douglas has historical significance, due to its association with the Lords of Douglas. You can soak up the area’s history on the 3.5-mile (5.6-kilometer) Douglas Historic Walking Route, which takes you along ancient streets and into the surrounding countryside. Four miles (6.4 kilometers) northeast of Douglas, Collierhall Farm is a tranquil campsite set on a small working farm with grass and hardstanding pitches for motorhomes and caravans.
For the best chance of good weather, mid-summer, from June through August, is the ideal time to visit Lanark, and the entire Central Lowland region. This is also a lovely time to explore the Clyde Valley, which is carpeted in wildflowers during the spring and summer, and the Falls of Clyde Wildlife Reserve. If you’re passing through on your way to begin the West Highland Way, which begins nearby, spring or autumn is best for avoiding crowds.