Strathclyde Country Park

Strathclyde Country Park is firmly established as one of the leading Scottish centres for outdoor recreation. Thousands of visitors every year come to enjoy the huge range of activities available; from sailing to sunbathing; birdwatching to bicycling; water ski-ing to watching the world go by. Close to the industrial centres of Scotland, the Park lies in 1100 acres of countryside in the valley of the River Clyde; acres of mature woodland, rough wetland, wildlife refuges and neat open parkland, all of which surround Strathclyde Loch the focal point for many of the park activities. New innovations to Scotland, Holiday Inn Express with 120 bedrooms, Strathclyde Park Inn, an Innkeepers Fayre Tavern, and M&D's Scotland's first theme Park, are just some of the, more recent attractions to have been developed in the Country Park. Ideally situated with excellent roads and public transport links, the Park plays host to a series of major events throughout the year, all with their own special excitement and attractions to offer the visitor. Based on the excellent facilities of the Watersports Centre and Strathclyde Loch, the Park is a licensed outdoor activity centre and caters for the following water activities Rowing, windsurfing, dinghy sailing, canoeing and water ski-ing. Craft are available for hire, or you may bring your own if you prefer. Expert instruction in the necessary skills, all in accordance with the standards laid down by the sports national governing bodies, is available from the instructors on the Park staff. Rowing Boats, Bumper Boats, Boat Trips, Wave Bobs and Canadian Canoes. There are rescue boats on the water and modern equipment is provided to ensure the exciting but safe enjoyment of all Loch users All fresh water Lochs are dangerous, particularly those like Strathclyde Loch with its shoreline shelving down to a lower layer of cold water. So swimming is not allowed and you should make sure that you and your companions always wear your lifejackets or buoyancy aids when you are on the water Throughout the year the Park hosts various major events which are well worth seeing. Car rallies, cycling and cross-country races on the park roads; world class international rowing, canoeing and sailing regattas on the Loch; leisure exhibitions, country fairs, horse shows and funfairs on the showgrounds; some events attract upwards of 100,000 visitors providing "something for everyone" Enquiries from organisers of such events, both voluntary and commercial, will be met with helpful advice and co-operation from the Park's knowledgeable and experienced staff of leisure professionals, with the full back-up of the resources of North Lanarkshire Council's Department of Community Services Land Sports Served by well-equipped and meticulously maintained sports pavilions, Strathclyde Country Park caters for the following variety of sports on dry land. Football & Hockey 3 hard porous pitches (2 floodlit) 2 grass pitches & Lanarkshire's 7-a-side football centre. Coarse Angling Permits available for the loch, rivers and ponds. Horse Riding Permits available for 7 miles of bridle paths. Wayfaring & Competitive Orienteering 3 different courses. Cross Country Running Several alternative courses. Mountain Bikes for hire. And to get in shape for all the above, why not try the Park's Fitness Gymnasium Jogging Tracks Travel Directions: M74 J5 or J6.