Photographs and location map of the Conservation Village of Bothwell in South Lanarkshire in central Scotland

Location: South Lanarkshire
Map: OS Landranger 54
Distance: 3 miles (5km)
Time: 1.5-2 hours
Grade: Easy riverside walk

It's a shame about the Clyde Walkway. Any trail following a river is good by me but this one, though great in principle, seems to have run into more problems than the rest of Scotland's trails put together. Access problems with landowners, flooding, major road and industrial works and other things mean the trail is still not complete, 20 years after work on it started.
The sections that are open are all excellent, and this one is no different - it makes for a superb walk on its own but it is hoped that one day soon it will also be part of a continuous trail from New Lanark to Glasgow.
The walk starts at the David Livingstone Centre in Blantyre, currently closed for major refurbishment. Livingstone was born here in humble surroundings in 1813 and died in Africa in 1873 after surviving many adventures, including the attack by a lion which is commemorated outside the centre by a sculpture.
From the centre, cross the Clyde by a footbridge then take a riverside path. The river is quite turbulent with small whirlpools and rocky steps. ln a few kilometres the path starts climbing to reach Bothwcll Castle, the centrepiece of the walk. You may have caught a glimpse of the castle high on a cliff from down by the river a little way back.
Bothwell is in the opinion of some historians the finest medieval castle in Scotland. It was started in the late 13th century by Walter de Moravia ( later Murray ) and in 1289-90 was captured by Scots forces after a siege lasting I4 months. Edward I — the infamous Hammer of the Scots — recaptured it but the Scots won it back again after the Battle Of Bannockburn in 1314. The Story continued in much the same vein for another 300 years or so. Later a mansion house providing rather more comfortable accommodation was built adjacent to the castle but it was demolished in the 1920s. The castle is owned by Historic Scotland and open all year.
Leaving the castle, continue north by the river through mature woodland to reach the outskirts of Uddingston.
The route continues back across the river but then becomes very difﬁcult to follow, leaving you with a long road walk into Newton.
Instead of that the walk is ended at Uddingston from where there are frequent trains ( via Newton ) back to Blantyre. Or, of course, you can double the pleasure by walking back to Blantyre.
If you do use the train you will cross the towering Uddingston Railway Viaduct, built in 1348 and unusual in having two decks ( though only one remains in use ). Uddingston’s main claim to fame however is being the home of Tunnock’s Teacakes, which have been made here for more than 120 years.

Route:

From the David Livingstone Centre walk down to the river and cross by the footbridge.
Go through a gap in the wall and TL on to the riverside path.
At a fork keep R, climbing and then descending before another climb to the castle.
Leave the castle walking N into the woods to regain the riverside path and follow it to Uddingston.
Continue ahead on a tarmac path signed as a cycleway.
At a T-junction with the footbridge over the Clyde on the left and Uddingston Grammar School on the right, continue ahead on a narrow path, under the railway line then going right, up to a road.
Cross the road and continue ahead on a tarmac path to access Uddingston Station.