Home Report Biggar

Biggar is a small, affluent, picturesque market town and former burgh in South Lanarkshire of just roughly 2300 residents, near the River Clyde and the Tweed River. The closest larger settlements are Lanark to the north-west and Peebles to the east. The present-day High Street (A702) follows the line of an old Roman road and the town still has much of its medieval road layout intact. Indeed, the town has a rich and varied history that belies its size and present-day location. Today, Biggar is mostly a commuter town for those working in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and the wider South Lanarkshire and Scottish Borders regions. It could also be classed as a bit of a tourist town with much to see and do here or in the wider area of southern Scotland.

Biggar punches above its size in terms of amenities with many independent shops, eateries, hotels and the usual assortment of local businesses dotting the town, making it a more interesting place than one might otherwise think for its size. Biggar’s numerous attractions have won a fair few awards, including Best Tourist Town in Scotland, Scotland in Bloom and individual awards to its museums. There is also a unique local “Little Sparta” art garden containing over 270 of famous artist Ian Hamilton Finlay’s musings. There’s also the Biggar Heritage Trail that offers numerous points of interest and important events in the life of the town, with the much information and profiles of the characters connected with the town who helped shape the Biggar we know today. Culter Fell – a nearby hill in the culture hills range – is the highest point in South Lanarkshire at an elevation of 748m though Tinto Hill with an elevation of 711m is the more popular. One of the town’s most unique main attractions is a world-famous Victorian puppet theatre. The town also hosts an annual arts festival, the Biggar Little Festival, every October. Another annual event is the Biggar Bonfire, an ancient custom that takes place on Hogmanay and dates to pagan times.

In terms of transport links, the A702 bisects the town and offers connections on to Edinburgh or down to the M74 and A74. There are regular bus services to Lanark and also to Peebles, with other services running for connections to the wider South Lanarkshire and Borders areas. There is, unfortunately, no dedicated train station for the town, the closest being the nearby Carstairs Junction or another slightly farther away in Lanark.

Biggar has only two schools, one primary, and one secondary aptly named Biggar Primary School and Biggar High School. The secondary school also admits pupils from surrounding small towns and villages.