Upper Clydesdale, the rural part of South Lanarkshire, is one of the most beautiful parts of the country. Its main centres of population include Carluke, Carnwath, Lanark, New Lanark, Biggar, Lesmahagow, Douglas and Coulter, Abington, Crawford and Leadhills.In this affectionate and intimate portrait of the area, local historian Daniel Martin roves from prehistoric and Roman through medieval and covenanting to industrial and modern times, covering a huge range of themes - including archaeology, history (natural, local and ecclesiastical) and the many places of interest in the area, such as New Lanark, the Falls of the Clyde and Craignethan Castle.Famous figures connected with the area include William Wallace, Robert Burns, Lord Braxfield,William Gladstone and Hugh MacDiarmid.