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Explore the treasure trove of hidden history and beautiful landscapes bursting from the gorges of the Clyde and Avon valley with the inaugural Heritage Festival which takes place Saturday 7 – Sunday 15 May.

The Clyde and Avon Valley Heritage Festival has been organised in collaboration with the Heritage Lottery Fund supported Clyde and Avon Valley Landscape Partnership (CAVLP), local heritage groups, Overton Farm and Lanark Development Trust and includes a variety of events for all ages.

The Festival kicks off with fun for all at the ever popular family focussed Blossom Day, Overton Farm, on Saturday 7 May, 9am – 1pm. Visitors will be able to shop for fresh local produce and crafts at the Farmers Market and Craft Fair, enjoy exhibitions of Clyde Valley Heritage and a school art competition, as well as meet spring chicks and lambs. No booking necessary.

A programme of FREE Spring Walks takes place throughout the area from Monday 9 – Sunday 15 May at various times. Walkers will get the chance to join expert guides on walks through the Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV), one of the few places in Scotland where the underlying geology and landscape have played such an important role in the history and development of the area. The area has been known and visited for centuries, for its patchwork of woodlands, stunning geological features, crumbling castles, estates, riverside settlements, orchards and unique market gardening heritage.

Sarah O’Sullivan, Communications Officer at CAVLP said, “From twilight trundles in remote woodlands to midday meanders around old estates, and even an Open Day at an orchard, there’s plenty to choose from. The walks are a great way for families and outdoor enthusiasts to get to know the local landscape and its unique characteristics better, as well as find out about some of the key projects CAVLP are supporting in and around these places.”

Meet the real life heroes who inspired countless legends including Langoureth Queen of Cadow and Myrddin the Wild Man of the Woods with South Lanarkshire Council Countryside Ranger Service at Chatelherault on Monday 9 May, 7pm.

Perhaps you’d like a secluded dusk ramble down Cleghorn Glen near Lanark – a pristine example of the ancient woodlands that cloak the Clyde Valley National Nature Reserves, with Scottish Natural Heritage on Tuesday 11 May, 6:45pm.

And these are only two of the 11 FREE walks to choose from. Book quickly to avoid disappointment at www.cavlp.eventbrite.co.uk. A full list is provided below.

Robert Owen Bicentenary Celebrations take place at New Lanark on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 May. Join New Lanark Trust Director Lorna Davidson for a Commemoration Lecture: Robert Owen’s Institute: The first 200 years on Friday 13 May, 4:30 – 5:30pm followed by a drinks reception. Tickets are £3 and can be reserved at www.gammabookings.com/NewLanark/, by emailing trust@newlanark.org or calling 01555 661 345. Robert Owen celebrations continue on Saturday 14 May. Check www.newlanark.org/visitorcentre/events for details.

CAVLP Heritage: Heritage and Landscape Conference takes place at Chatelherault Country Park on Saturday 14 May, 10am – 4pm. Aimed at local heritage groups, the conference is a chance for local heritage focussed groups to network and share stories and learning. Contact cavlp.heritage@gmail.com / 01555 661 555 for details.

Relive the drama of medieval times during Wallace weekend in Lanark, where Sir William Wallace ‘first drew sword to free his native land,’ on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 May. The celebrations include historic re-enactments of events In Delves Park, Lanark, including the killing of the Sheriff of Lanark which sparked the Wars of Independence in 1297. There will also be a street market in Market End and Broomgate.

Don’t miss the FREE experimental archaeology sessions which are taking place as part of the Wallace Weekend in collaboration with CAVLP Heritage on Sunday 15 May, 10am – 4pm. These include traditional tile-making and ceramics workshops. Contact cavlp.heritage@gmail.com / 01555 661 555 for details.

For full Clyde and Avon Valley Heritage Festival listings, please see below.

Saturday 7 May

Blossom Day, Overton Farm, 9:30am – 1:30pm

Monday 9 May

Corehouse Estate and Corra Castle, 6:30pm

Langoureth ‘The Queen of Cadzow’ and the Kingdom of Strathclyde, Chatelherault, 7pm

Tuesday 10 May

Stonehouse Cross to the Horse Pool, 6pm

Dusk Down in Cleghorn Glen, 6:45pm

Wednesday 11 May

Tracing Mauldslie Castle, 10:30am

The Wonders of Chatelherault, 6:30pm

Thursday 12 May

Stonehouse Cross to Double Dykes Iron Age Fort, 6pm

Friday 13 May

Twilight Trundle at Mauldslie Woods, 8pm

Larkhall’s Hidden Beauty Spot – Morgan Glen, 6:30pm

Robert Owen Commemoration Lecture & Bicentenary Exhibition, New Lanark

Saturday 14 May

CAVLP Heritage: Heritage & Landscape Conference, Chatelherault Country Park, 10am – 4pm

Robert Owen Bicentenary Celebration, New Lanark

Wallace Weekend, Lanark

Sunday 15 May

A Walk in Kirkfieldbank Community Orchard, 12 noon – 3pm

CAVLP Heritage: Experimental Archaeology Sessions, Lanark, 10am – 4pm

Wallace Weekend, Lanark

 

The walks are free but booking is essential at www.cavlp.eventbrite.co.uk or by calling 01555 663 430. Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. Join the Spring Walks discussion on Twitter using the hashtag #ClydeAvonWalks.

 

Please see individual booking info for other events in previous paragraphs.