Carluke is in the Scottish county of South Lanarkshire. It's the largest town in the picturesque Clyde Valley and boasts an eye-catching location on a plateau overlooking the River Clyde.
It has direct train routes to both Glasgow and Edinburgh, which have spurred house building efforts over the last few years.
The town boasts a lively community, busy high street and proximity to stunning Scottish countryside and key historical sites.
House prices also make Carluke attractive. The current average is £141,000, a little lower than the average for South Lanarkshire overall. You can check the latest figures here.
Discover more about living in Scotland by reading our informative guides on West Lothian, Ayrshire and Perth and Kinross.
Living in Carluke: what to expect
Carluke is characterised by stone-built houses, which fall into neat terraced rows spinning out from the centre.
The town has a thriving high street with small stores and supermarkets, including several independent shops. The Carluke Streetscape project's recent £2.4m investment has given it a new lease of life. Of course, if you want to roam a little further, the shops of Edinburgh and Glasgow are less than an hour away by train.
Carluke hosts regular events. One of the most popular is the Gala Day, an annual festival that sees a local schoolgirl crowned as Queen of the Gala.
Meanwhile, the Scottish countryside that surrounds the town offers a picturesque weekend escape. The Clyde Valley is home to spectacular waterfalls, nature reserves and riverside walks.
Where to start your property search
In town: There’s a good mix of large and modest period housing in Carluke, some of which has been converted into affordable flats.
Large character homes with bay windows and one-bedroom flat conversions can be found on roads such as Clyde Street and Melville Place.
Grander Georgian double-fronted homes are scattered along Station Road.
The best place to look for striking stone terraced homes is in the town centre, on roads including Kirkton Street and Hamilton Street. Blonde- and red-coloured sandstone terraced properties line Sandy Road and Lanark Road respectively. These homes tend to have two bedrooms and tall, narrow windows.
For a modest flat that still boasts attractive character features, consider the apartments above the shops on the high street. They tend to have three spacious bedrooms, petite bay windows and high ceilings. Some flats even have the original wooden flooring.
If you want something a little more modern, look out for the town's post-war housing. Muirlee Road, Caneluk Avenue, and Honeybank Crescent on the northern outskirts of the town have plenty of spacious two-bedroom terraced homes - many with open fireplaces and rear gardens.
There’s also a good range of post-war homes on the eastern outskirts of the town. Quiet cul-de-sacs, such as Blenheim Court, have comfortable four-bedroom semis with neat, well-tended gardens. Bungalows and solid 1970s homes with spacious gardens can be found on St Luke’s Avenue and Hyacinth Way.
On the lookout for a new-build home? Search along roads such as Cameronian Drive for three-bedroom contemporary detached, semi-detached and single-storey homes with paved driveways and attached garages.
Or try one of the new developments such as Shieldhill Court, a purpose-built block of flats right in the town centre.
Out of town: If you'd prefer a more rural way of life, look at the satellite villages of Braidwood, Forth and Law.
Braidwood, a five-minute drive south of the town, has a collection of post-war housing and secluded detached properties. Braidwood Road and Lee Meadow Road have terraced homes and bungalows. For something more substantial, look at the large homes hidden up long driveways on Auchenglen Road.
To the east of the town is Forth, where you’ll find rendered terraced villas on Merlindale, Birniehall and Whittret Knowe, and a wider mix of properties on Main Street. The latter has stone-built terraces, single-storey cottages and occasional post-war terraces.
Law is a 20-minute drive from Carluke. Opt for a bungalow on the quiet leafy street of Lawhill Road or Braefoot Crescent, or a small detached home on Weir Place.
Getting around Carluke
By rail: There are regular services to Ayr, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Hamilton, Lanark and Motherwell from Carluke's train station. The fastest trains to Glasgow and Edinburgh take 30 and 40 minutes respectively.
By car: Carluke stands at the meeting point of the A73 and A721. The A73 runs north and connects to the M8 – and from there, you can reach Glasgow in 50 minutes or Edinburgh in an hour. The A721 heads south to Carstairs
The town is also close to Junction 8 of the M74, which is an alternative route to Glasgow. Follow the road south to connect to the A75(M) and onwards to Carlisle.
By air: Glasgow Airport is just a 40-minute drive away. And from there, you can fly to both domestic and international destinations, including New York.
Things to do in Carluke
History: Craignethan Castle was built in 1530 and has a rare stone-vaulted shooting gallery. You can explore the castle and learn more about its defensive role as well as follow the nature trails through the surrounding ancient woodland.
New Lanark, a World Heritage site 20 minutes from Carluke, features a former 18th-century cotton spinning mill. It has now been converted into a large museum, with exhibits including working textile machinery, a historic classroom and collections of photos, documents and maps. You can also explore mill workers' houses from the 1820s and 30s.
Cultural: The Carluke Leisure Centre is a state-of-the-art fitness facility that boasts a gym, classes and a pool. It also includes a dance studio, athletics track, sports hall and crèche.
The Jam & Ham Festival celebrates Carluke's history of food production. The festival runs over three days in various venues and has a diverse programme of music, theatre and crafts. You can also attend masterclass demos and bake-offs.
Outdoors: Local parks include Moor Park, which recently acquired a brand new play park for its younger visitors. And Carluke Skate Park is kitted out with street obstacles and quarter pipes.
Enjoy family days out at Lanark Loch. Look out for the bumper boats and small rides on the 20 acre man-made loch in the summer. And if you’re a keen angler, why not buy a licence to fish for the loch's stock of pike and carp?
The Falls of Clyde near the New Lanark site is a must-see. The area is home to more than 100 species of bird as well as badgers and otters.
Shopping: The majority of shops are located along Hamilton Street, Stewart Street, Kirkton Street and High Street. Independent shops include Ramsay of Carluke, an award-winning family Scottish butchers.
Food and drink: You can take your pick from a range of take-aways. Cafes are also in abundance – try the cakes and sandwiches in Cafe Kudos and The Bakehouse Cafe. For a pint and hearty food, take a seat in pubs such as the Crown Inn and Kirkton Inn.
A number of restaurants are also open for business, including the Italian chain Prego and China Cuisine.
Hidden Carluke
Walk around Rankin Square to find a plaque marked with etchings of fossils. The plaque was placed in remembrance of Carluke's Doctor Daniel Reid Rankin, a high-ranking 19th-century geologist and palaeontologist.
5 reasons to live in Carluke
Excellent road and rail connections to Glasgow and Edinburgh
Busy high street with shops, pubs and take-aways
Proximity to parkland and historical sites
Rejuvenated town centre
Range of housing
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