Set in the hills to the south-east of Cumbernauld, Palacerigg Country Park is signposted from the town centre road network.

The park is less than half an hour's drive from Glasgow, Motherwell, Stirling and Falkirk. Established in the early 1970s, Palacerigg has been developed around the objectives of conservation, environmental education and countryside recreation.

More than 40 hectares of what was once a bleak upland farm have been planted with hundreds of thousands of native trees and shrubs.

This new, sheltered environment provides a sanctuary for wildlife including thriving populations of roe deer, badger, fox and hare as well as sparrowhawk, kestrel, long-eared and short-eared owl.

Visitors can walk the 10km network of nature trails and footpaths. 

The countryside ranger service is based in the park and specialise in tailoring environmental education in the countryside to meet the demands of the national 5-14 curriculum, youth groups and adult groups.

Toilets and a cafe are available at the Palacerigg Golf Club.

Two play parks are available for all age groups.

Visitors can use the 10km of nature trails and pathways around Palacerigg Country Park, which range from easy to moderate. These include a 1km circular route around the centre, which is fully accessible, to 2km and 4km circular routes taking in the broader views of the park; these provide opportunities for all to walk or cycle. 

Between the end of October 2023 and mid-December 2023, visitors to Palacerigg Country Park will see the existing play areas upgraded with the addition of more varied and accessible play equipment. The two play areas will also be linked together by a play trail featuring games, wildlife information and a soundscape. This project is part of Country Parks for the Future and is one of many that over the next 10 years will deliver the Masterplan for the Palacerigg Country Park, which was created with the community in 2019.

In 2023, the local community and North Lanarkshire Council worked with Urban Pioneers to create a Playful Landscape Plan for Palacerigg Country Park. The plan outlines options for how to make the site a more playful and engaging experience for visitors of all ages. We are now working with partner organisations to fundraise in order to deliver the plan. This project is part of delivering the 2019 Masterplan for the site.

We are in the process of renewing our Long Term Forest Plan (LTFP) at Palacerigg Country Park. This is a strategic document and covers four phases of woodland management works to be completed between 2012 and 2031.

The first 2 phases were completed in 2014 & 2015 and the plan is now at a review period following 12 years since the inception of the plan.

We are looking to deliver the next 2 phases through a National Lottery Heritage Fund partnership project bid (Nurturing Natural Connections) and it is proposed that  woodland works will be carried out in 2025 and 2029.

As part of the LTFP review, we are carrying out a consultation to give visitors and the community an opportunity to comment on the plans. The plan aims to enhance woodland conditions by improving tree quality and increasing species and structural diversity as well as enhancing biodiversity within the Country Park. Key objectives include thinning woodlands to promote the best stems and remove wind-vulnerable conifers, retaining sensitive habitats to increase species diversity, and managing the woodlands sustainably.

The 2 maps below outline the nature of the proposed works and we would welcome your views. Any comments should be sent to arbor@northlan.gov.uk