Biggar, South Lanarkshire - Country lanes and forgotten corners
It would take many days to explore all the cycling possibilities offered by the miles and miles of country lanes spreading out from Biggar.
Biggar and Broughton Cycle Route
This route heads east into the Borders to the village of Broughton where it is claimed the magician Merlin was laid to rest.
Map: OS Landranger 72
Start/finish: Corn Exchange, High Street
Train: Lanark (18 miles)
Refreshment: Biggar is well served by tearooms, pubs and restaurants; Nestlers’ Hotel, Newbigging – 01555 840680
Distance: 12 miles
Time: 1 – 2 hours
Difficulty: moderate
Terrain: quiet back roads
Points of interest in Biggar, South Lanarkshire
1. Moat Park Heritage Centre is one of five museums in Biggar it explains the local Iron Age and Roman histories. Other museums include the Gladstone Court, the Gasworks and the Greenhill Covenanters’ House.
2. St Mary’s Church dates from 1545 and was the last collegiate church in Scotland built before the Reformation.
3. Dunsyre Kirk – look out for the iron jougs set into the church wall. Offenders would be sentenced to wear the iron collar around their neck. It was set at such a height as to make uncomfortable to sit or stand as well as humiliate.
4. Little Sparta is the exotically named poetry garden of the late artist Ian Hamilton Finlay.
5. Newbigging Mercat cross topped with a stone sun is a peculiarly pagan object dated 1693.
The Route
- From the Corn Exchange on High Street go right and continue to police station. Turn right for Broughton 5 miles, B7016. Follow all the way to Broughton.
- At the T-junction with Broughton Main Street turn right. Follow Main Street (A701) through Broughton. As you start to climb out of Broughton turn right for Coulter 6 miles, Hartree 5 ½ miles.
- When the road forks follow the right for Hartree. Road climbs past Pyatknowe farm and once over the crest go downhill round to the right and follow road into Biggar. At the T-junction on Station Road and High Street turn right to return to start.
If you wish to continue exploring beautiful Biggar, South Lanarkshire, take the Biggar and Pentland Hills Cycle Route.