Strathclyde Park leads the way
No1 outdoor attraction in Scotland
Strathclyde Park is almost ten times more popular than Chatelherault according to tourist chiefs.
The latest annual numbers for 2015 were released last week by Visit Scotland.
And it was revealed that 5.4 million people visited Strathclyde Park to enjoy the venue in the heart of Motherwell.
The number of visitors were down 4.3 per cent from the previous year’s figure of 5.6 million – but that was still enough to earn it top spot on the list of the country’s most popular outdoor attractions.
Chatelherault Country Park came in eighth with 598,733 visitors – a slight drop of 0.6 per cent from 602,138 the year before.
Elsewhere in Lanarkshire, Coatbridge’s Drumpellier Country Park was third with 919,573 visitors and East Kilbride’s Calderglen Country Park was fourth with 884,265 visitors.
North Lanarkshire Council are responsible for Strathclyde Park and were delighted with the news.
Paul Kelly, depute leader of the council and a Motherwell councillor, said: “From nature walks to family days out, the park really has something for everyone.
“We are proud to have this green oasis here in North Lanarkshire for people to enjoy all year round.
“Strathclyde Country Park is a world-class watersports venue and we are greatly looking forward to hosting the European Championship rowing and triathlon competitions.
“North Lanarkshire offers a number of top quality tourist destinations including Summerlee Museum of Industrial life and the Roman Frontier Antonine Wall for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy.”
Having been a host venue for the triathlon at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the park is gearing up to host top athletes again during the 2018 European Sports Championships.
Strathclyde Park lies in 400 hectares of countryside and offers outdoor adventure playgrounds, bicycle hire, fitness gym, watersports centre with café, conference facilities and watersports including popular family funboats and Scotland’s theme park M&D’S.
A recent addition is the new state-of-art Bothwellhaugh football pitches – named after the coal mining village which previously occupied Strathclyde Park loch.
Strathclyde Park is an internationally renowned watersports venue which has previously held rowing championships at all levels including the 1986 Commonwealth Games and the 1996 World Championships.
It also regularly hosts rowing and sailing events and £680,000 has been spent on a striking new makeover for the finishing tower by the loch.
Throughout the year the park is host to major music events, triathlons, 5k and 10k races, fireworks displays, countryside ranger activities and various club activities.
Malcolm Roughead, Visit Scotland’s chief executive, said: “Scotland is famous for its stunning scenery and there is no better way to enjoy it than on foot.
“Scotland is an extremely accessible destination.
“The growing interest in health and wellbeing presents a fantastic opportunity for Scotland to promote itself, not only through its inspiring landscapes but also through the health benefits of walking and being outdoors.
“Visit Scotland continues to work with communities to showcase the rich assets, hidden gems and local stories in every region in Scotland.”