Leadhills Miners’ Reading Society

Recommended by
Our view
"In the footsteps of some very literate gold and lead miners"
Walk directions

Exit the car park, cross the street and turn right. At the end of a white cottage turn left onto a footpath then follow it to go down some steps onto a road. Cross the road and head uphill on Gowanbank to reach the village cemetery.

Go through the entrance gate into the cemetery, turn right and follow the perimeter wall. Keep following it when it turns left until you reach the grave of John Taylor. Retrace your steps to the gate then follow the outside of the perimeter wall to visit the Symington Memorial. This commemorates William Symington, the inventor of steam navigation, who was born in Leadhills.

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Location
Additional information
  Terrain  - Footpaths, estate tracks and open hillside
  Landscape  - Hillsand village
  Dog friendliness  - Good walk for dogs but keep on lead near livestock
  Parking  - Public car park in village next to school
  Toilets en route  - In car park at start of walk
About the walk
Leadhills is Scotland’s second highest village after nearby Wanlockhead and exists for the same reason. Rich deposits of minerals made the area attractive to prospectors. Gold was once found in abundance here and was used to create the Scottish Crown, the oldest royal crown in Europe. But it was...
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About the area
South Lanarkshire offers some of Scotland’s best days out, with country parks, museums, activity centres, historic sites and walking trails to choose from. Many of the area’s museums are a window into the county’s industrial heritage, the biggest claim to fame being New Lanark.
Area image

Leadhills Miners’ Reading Society

Recommended by
Our view
"In the footsteps of some very literate gold and lead miners"
Dog friendly Family friendly
Location
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain - Footpaths, estate tracks and open hillside
  Landscape - Hillsand village
  Dog friendliness - Good walk for dogs but keep on lead near livestock
  Parking - Public car park in village next to school
  Toilets en route - In car park at start of walk
About the walk
Leadhills is Scotland’s second highest village after nearby Wanlockhead and exists for the same reason. Rich deposits of minerals made the area attractive to prospectors. Gold was once found in abundance here and was used to create the Scottish Crown, the oldest royal crown in Europe. But it was...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

About the area
Area image
South Lanarkshire
South Lanarkshire offers some of Scotland’s best days out, with country parks, museums, activity centres, historic sites and walking trails to choose from. Many of the area’s museums are a window into the county’s industrial heritage, the biggest claim to fame being New Lanark.