Our Lady & St John's Catholic Church

You'll find this Victorian church tucked into the landscape near Lanark, a solid red-stone structure that speaks more to working-class devotion than grand cathedral ambitions. Our Lady & St John's is properly atmospheric inside - high ceilings, stained glass that catches the light on good days, and that particular smell of old churches everywhere. It's worth a quick visit if you're passing through South Lanarkshire, especially if you've got an interest in 19th-century Scottish Catholic architecture. The building itself tells the story of when the Church had to be more discreet in these parts.

Realistically, you're looking at twenty minutes inside unless you're doing serious architectural study. It's the kind of stop that makes sense if you're already exploring Lanark rather than something to drive out of your way for. Families won't hold kids' attention long, but walkers on the Clyde Valley routes might appreciate the detour.

If you're based at Ecosse Glamping just down the road - a proper spot, that one - you could easily fit this in as part of a morning's poking around Lanark before heading to the Falls or Moulin Country Park. Free entry as far as we can tell, no hassle about opening times or booking. Just show up and step inside. It's a genuine piece of local history rather than a polished tourist attraction, which means it feels real.