Summer has drawn to a close, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to end. VisitLanarkshire has it covered with a season full of events and activities to keep you busy this autumn.
The Unesco World Heritage site at New Lanark will host its own book festival from October 1-4. The festival will include sessions hosted by well-known Scottish authors such as historian Alistair Moffat and crime novelist Christopher Brookmyre on themes linking to New Lanark. The programme, which covers Scottish fiction, textiles, and food, provides a brilliant family day out with children’s storytelling and songs on Sunday, October 4. Entry prices range from £20 for Saturday and Sunday or £40 for the full four days. The event runs from 6pm-8.30pm, Thursday and Friday, and from 10am-8.30pm on Saturday and Sunday.
The new Biggar and Upper Clydesdale Museum opened earlier this year following a £2million investment. The purpose-built museum is fully accessible and now showcases 14,000 years of life in Upper Clydesdale – from prehistoric times until the mid-20th century.
Visitors to the museum can walk down a recreated Victorian streetscape and experience firsthand what life must have been like for the people of the time.
Entry is £5 for adults and £2 for children and the museum is open every day apart from Mondays until October 31, when the museum will be open at weekends.
Biggar Little Festival will be returning to Biggar Community Exchange to celebrate its 13th year on October 15-25. Just in time for the mid-term holidays, this year’s festival offers music, drama, literature, comedy, children’s events and much more. The children’s one-man band Mr Boom, the Biggar Beer Festival and music from chart-topping Eddi Reader in An Evening With Eddi Reader are just some of the festival’s highlights which make it perfect for every member of the family. Show times range from 9am to 8pm, with many free events.
Fans of the children’s picture books Hairy Maclary will not want to miss a visit from the canine hero himself as he returns to Lanark Memorial Hall on October 15 with a new show. Hairy Maclary’s Cat Tales is a fun storytelling show suitable for new audiences and dedicated fans. It features the same quirky characters and catchy songs as past shows, and incorporates a brand-new set of stories, making it perfect for the little ones.
The show starts at 2pm and tickets cost £8.
Are you missing Zayn? Then head down to Lanark Memorial Hall to see the ultimate One Direction tribute experience on Saturday, October 17. One and Only Direction replicate the number-one boyband, performing the young heartthrob’s smash-hit songs with a commitment to authenticity and promise an exciting high-energy performance. The show kicks off at 5pm and ticket prices range from £8-£13.
Also this autumn, Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life has partnered with Global Treasure Apps for an interactive visitor attraction experience. The app allows users to follow clues, answer fun questions, learn facts and explore the visitor attraction to receive rewards. Alternatively, Lanarkshire offers a whole host of cycling and walking trails for visitors looking for a more active autumn. The Carron Valley offers mountain bike trails and scenic country walks alongside abundant wildlife. Autumn is a sensational season to explore the valley’s woodland as the trees transform into a dazzling display of colour.
For more inspiration to get out and celebrate the arrival of autumn, the VisitLanarkshire website provides a rundown of the best events, activities and attractions Lanarkshire has to offer.