SOUTH LANARKSHIRE

To see it is to love it ñ South Lanarkshire has some of Scotlandís finest addresses and no shortage of desirability

Think of South Lanarkshire and many contrasting images spring to mind. Consider the difference between the twisting A72 as it winds through chocolate-box villages along the banks of the River Clyde, and the roughly parallel M74, Scotlandís main artery with England and one of Britainís key transport routes. Alternatively, juxtapose the quirky boutique stores in Strathavenís village square with Hamiltonís sprawling town centre, combining indoor and outdoor, household-name and bespoke retailer, and running for a mile or so down to two new retail estates in the old Palace Grounds district.

Stretching from Glasgow to Galloway, around 330,000 people live in South Lanarkshire, many of them dwelling in some of central Scotlandís most prosperous towns. Bothwell is synonymous with wealth and affluence, as is neighbouring Uddingston, while Strathavenís conservation-protected streets have their own claim to be the jewel in South Lanarkshireís crown and the historic burgh of Lanark stakes a stronger claim than most to this title.

Perhaps best of all for the house hunter considering relocating here, thereís a real choice in terms of property styles throughout South Lanarkshire, with one bedroom flats and executive homes both making recent appearances, and affordable family houses jostling for attention with designer apartments. Whatever youíre looking for, whether itís an affordable mid-terrace in a regenerated district of Hamilton, or a million-pound mansion overlooking Bothwellís golf course, youíll find it here, with the resources on your doorstep to ensure you never need to travel any further afield.