Blackwood, South Lanarkshire

Blackwood is a village which borders Kirkmuirhill, near Lanark in the central belt of Scotland. It has a few small shops, a couple of primary schools and pubs.

Blackwood sits adjacent to the M74 motorway - Scotland's main arterial route South to England - but remains a quiet village and a much sought-after place to stay. Blackwood is linked (and physically runs in to) the neighbouring village of Kirkmuirhill, so-much-so that there is no physical sign of where one starts and the other ends.

Kirkmuirhill Church of Scotland, St. John's R.C. Church and Kirkmuirhill Gospel Hall look after the spiritual needs of villagers, while St. John's R.C. Primary School and Blackwood Primary School share a reputation for excellence in primary education.

Junction 9 of the M74 motorway brings visitors to the South end of the village, but the more popular B7078 links the village with Junction 8 (Canderside Toll) and the larger town of Larkhall. In 2009 three large wind turbines went operational along the B7078, providing power for around 3,000 homes and part of Scotland's growing commitment to renewable energy production.

Blackwood was (arguably) originally the farming cousin to other local villages, where coal mining was the dominant industry for centuries. Blackwood estate provided farming work for local families.

Blackwood sits at the top of the gentle hills on the Western/Southern side of the picturesque Clyde Valley, at the point where the River Nethan sweeps down into the steep valley to join the River Clyde. Close by is Craignethan Castle, where Mary Queen of Scots stayed on her journey South to be tried and executed by Elizabeth I of England.