A Guide to Living in Lanarkshire

Where is Lanarkshire?

Lanarkshire is located in the central belt of Scotland, just south of Glasgow. It covers an area of around 900 square miles and is bordered by the counties of Stirling, Perth & Kinross, Clackmannanshire and West Lothian.

Areas in Lanarkshire

There are a number of different areas in Lanarkshire that prospective buyers may want to consider. These include:

Glasgow – Scotland’s largest city and home to around 60% of the population of Lanarkshire. Glasgow has a population of around 54,000 and is the third-largest city in the UK, meaning it has access to all the benefits of a major city, such as easy access to employment, education and entertainment.

Motherwell – While it’s not one of Scotland’s most popular or well-known cities, Motherwell has its own appeal with an attractive town centre that features many local shops and eateries as well as some high street brands. The area also benefits from good access to the motorway network.

Hamilton – The largest town in Lanarkshire, Hamilton is home to a population of around 62,000 and has excellent transport links – it’s located right next to both the M74 and M80 motorways. It also offers good schooling options as well as plenty of leisure activities.

East Kilbride – the largest town in Lanarkshire and home to around 100,000 people. It is famous for being Scotland’s “shopping city” thanks to its large shopping mall which attracts shoppers from all over South Lanarkshire. East Kilbride is also well-known for its excellent schooling options.

Uddingston – a small town located just south of Glasgow with around 22,000 residents. It offers good access to the motorway network as well as being within easy reach of both Glasgow and Edinburgh via train or bus connections. There are plenty of amenities in Uddingston and the surrounding area.

Universities in Lanarkshire –

There are three universities located in Lanarkshire: the University of Glasgow, the University of Strathclyde and Glasgow Caledonian University.

The University of Glasgow – the University of Glasgow is located in the city of Glasgow and is one of four ancient universities in Scotland. It’s ranked among the top 100 universities in the world and offers a range of undergraduate, postgraduate and research courses.

The University of Strathclyde – the University of Strathclyde is located in Glasgow and has around 17,000 students and about 350-degree programmes. The university was awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2013, recognising its work to improve the well-being of businesses across Scotland by developing commercialisation opportunities for their research base.

Glasgow Caledonian University – Glasgow Caledonian University is located in central Glasgow and has around 11,000 students and more than 100 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The university is often shortlisted as a top UK institution for international students, particularly those looking to study abroad in Europe due to its strong links with universities across the continent.

Top Schools in Lanarkshire

Parents looking for a good school for their children will be spoilt for choice in Lanarkshire. Some of the top schools include:

Hamilton Grammar School – Hamilton Grammar School is a co-educational school for pupils aged between three and 18. The ethos of the school focuses on high academic standards, while also developing each child’s wider life skills such as sport and music.

St Aloysius’ College – St Aloysius’ College in Glasgow has around 1400 students across both its junior (ages 11-16) and senior (ages 16-18) schools. The college has a strong academic record, with 95% of students going on to further study or work after completing their education at the school.

James Hamilton Academy – James Hamilton Academy is located in Blantyre and educates pupils from nursery right through to the sixth year. In 2013, the school achieved an impressive 95% pass rate at a Higher Level.

Population of Lanarkshire

With a population of 319,020 people, Lanarkshire is one of Scotland’s most populous counties. The region is made up of several towns and villages, each with its own unique character and appeal.