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The North Lanarkshire landscape is diverse and interesting. To the north lie the rolling hills of the Campsie Fells and to the south the leafy green of the Clyde valley. The western edge meets with the urban edge of the Glasgow conurbation and the eastern edge forms part of the distinctive plateau of Scotland's central belt.
This landscape is a complex mixture of man's influence on interlinked geological and ecological systems. This has resulted in rich and diverse habitats of wetland, grassland, peatland, woodland, hedgerow, river stream and loch which contribute to the quality of life for the residents of the area.
The mining of coal and other geological resources in Lanarkshire has had a considerable effect on the area. The legacy of this development is multi-layered. There are: remnants of industrial activity which hold the secrets of the past; the assets of designed landscapes and historic buildings; the areas now important for wildlife.
Analysing and describing the landscape is called landscape character assessment. In 1994 Scottish Natural Heritage started a programme of landscape character assessment for the whole of Scotland through a total of 29 regional studies.
This was completed last year and we now have a comprehensive inventory of the Scottish landscape at the turn of the millennium.
This is essential information for managing change within the landscape; whether for conservation, enhancement, improvement or restructuring. It means that decisions can be made with a better understanding of the impact on landscape character. The regional study for this area covered the whole of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley area. It identified eight landscape character types which make up the North Lanarkshire landscape.
North Lanarkshire Landscapes
This is a celebration of those landscapes and seeks to encourage you to take a closer look. Each landscape type has harmony of character, with a distinct pattern of pieces.
1. Rugged moorland hills
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In North Lanarkshire this landscape character type is defined by the Campsie fells, or Kilsyth Hills as they are known locally. Their remoteness can be particularly appreciated from the footpaths which cross the hills or from a drive to Loch Carron up the Tak-Ma-Doon Road leading from Kilsyth. |
Key Characteristics
- Distinctive upland character created by the combination of height, exposure, rugged landform, moorland vegetation and a lack of modern development; natural beauties include primroses, ferns and the yellow flowers of the Tormentil amongst the heather
- these areas share a sense of naturalness and remoteness which contrasts strongly with the farmed and developed lowland areas
- presence of archaeological sites on hilltops and sides
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2. Broad valley lowland
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In North Lanarkshire, this landscape character type is defined by the Kelvin Valley. Particularly fine views of the this can be gained from the public viewpoint of Croy Hill, site of a Roman fort. You may also be lucky enough to see lapwing and redshank in the Kelvin floodplain. |
Key Characteristics
- wide flat bottomed valley
- presence of waterbodies, wetlands and rivers (the Kelvin, the Forth and Clyde Canal and Banton Loch); these areas are particularly rich in wildlife
- transport routes and settlements along the valley sides (Queenzieburn, Kilsyth, the A803 the Forth and Clyde Canal)
- transition from arable to rough grazing from the valley floor to the high valley sides
- historic sites and communication routes along the valley sides (the Forth and Clyde Canal, the Antonine Wall)
- presence of farm and policy woodland
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3. Plateau farmlands
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In North Lanarkshire, this landscape character type is defined by the area forming the lower slopes of the plateau moorlands. It includes the farmlands around Cumbernauld and south to Airdrie and Coatbridge; large tracts of land to the south of North Lanarkshire, from Hattonrigg in the west to Shotts in the east. |
These landscape areas are most likely to change in the future as part of the ongoing development of the Central Scotland Forest. The woodland cover will increase as part of the land reclamation process and as agriculture comes under increasing economic pressure.
Key Characteristics
- extensive, gently undulating form
- dominance of pastoral farming, but with some mosses surviving; look out for curlews here
- some treecover
- visually prominent settlements and activities such as mineral working
- a semi-rural character
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4. Plateau moorland
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In North Lanarkshire, this landscape character type is defined by the higher exposed ground in the east, south from Cumbernauld. It includes, the areas around Longriggend, Caldercruix, and Harthill. Good viewpoints to see this landscape type include Lily Loch, and the M8 beyond Kirk O' Shotts and towards Harthill. |
The Central Scotland Forest programme will also influence the landscape here with significant woodland planting over the next few years.
Key Characteristics
- distinctive upland character created by the combination of elevation, exposure, smooth plateau landform, moorland vegetation and the predominant lack of modern development
- an apparent sense of naturalness and remoteness which contrasts with the farm and settled lowlands
- rich in wildlife including scarce wildflowers such as orchids; also snipe, buzzards and dragonflies on the peatbog areas
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5. Rolling farmland
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In North Lanarkshire, this landscape character type is defined by the area to the north of Chryston and Moodiesburn, and immediately north of Cumbernauld as far as the Kelvin Valley. This rolling landscape is particularly attractive when viewed with the backdrop of the rugged moorland hills of the Campsies. |
It is home to badgers, brown hare, partridge and skylarks amongst many others.
Key Characteristics
- distinctive undulating landform left by the Ice Age
- dominance of pastoral farming, varying in productivity according to elevation and exposure
- woodland is a major element in structuring the landscape and providing shelter for agricultural and rural settlement
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6. Incised river valley
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In North Lanarkshire, this landscape character type is defined by the North Calder Water, the South Calder Water and the Mid-Clyde Valley. Many of these characteristics can be appreciated when looking at the North Calder around Calderbank. |
Key Characteristics
- rivers and their tributaries provide the focus to the landscape; look out for otters, kingfishers and salmon when down by them
- narrow, steep sided valleys cut deeply into the plateau farmlands
- rich broadleaved woodlands on steep valley sides
- agriculture, in wider valley areas, with a mixture of pasture, arable, market gardens and orchards (particularly evident in the mid-Clyde valley)
- series of policy landscapes, linear villages and winding roads, castles and other historic sites (Cambusnethan Priory for example)
- rich, sheltered and settled areas, often hidden within the wider landscape (such as the South Calder on the edge of Ravenscraig)
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7. Broad urban valley
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In North Lanarkshire, this landscape character type is defined by the area between Bothwell (in South Lanarkshire) and Motherwell. A large part of this character area within North Lanarkshire is occupied by Strathclyde Country Park, comprising the loch, woodland, grassland and some recreation related development. |
The loch attracts large numbers of wildfowl every year.
Key Characteristics
- broad sections of main river valley with well defined floodplain
- past developments have influenced the landscape character and enhanced local wildlife
- significant visual influence from the neighbouring urban areas and the M74
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8. Fragmented farmlands
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In North Lanarkshire, this landscape character type is defined by areas at the south of the A80 and north of Drumpellier and next to the North Calder and the South Calder rivers. |
Key Characteristics
- a landform which ranges from the gently undulating landscape associated with the plateau farmlands to more hummocky patterns of drumlins and eskers (ridges) left by the Ice Age
- pockets of remnant pastoral farming, with some areas retaining a strong structure of hedges and trees; these are still enough to shelter badgers and other wildlife
- visual influence of the urban edge, of former and current industrial sites, and transport infrastructure fragment the landscape
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Further Information
This page provides only a small part of the wealth of information available about the landscape of North Lanarkshire.
If you would like to find out more about the landscape of North Lanarkshire or would like to explore it through our network of recreational routes please use the "Contact Us" box at the top right hand side of your screen.
Other useful areas of this website:-
Other useful websites are detailed in the "External Links" box at the top right hand side of your screen.
Further reading
- Glasgow and The Clyde valley Landscape assessment 1998
Available from SNH publications, Battleby, Redgorton, Perth PH1 3EW
- Historic Land Use Assessment (Research report) 1999
Historic Scotland in association with the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland
- Forts, Farms and Furnaces Archaeology in the Central Scotland Forest 1998
Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland
- The Central Scotland Forest Strategy 1995
Central Scotland Countryside Trust, Hillhouseridge, Shottskirk Road, Shotts, Lanarkshire ML7 4JS
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