Low Parks Museum, Hamilton

Low Parks Museum in Hamilton is a 5-star museum under the Visit Scotland grading scheme, situated in the former Low Parks of the Duke of Hamilton's estates.

Opening times:  Monday - Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 12 noon-5pm

The café: Monday - Friday: 10am - 3pm, Saturday: 10am - 3.30pm, Sunday: 12 noon - 4pm 

The museum complex is housed in two historic buildings of national importance, both originally associated with the Dukes of Hamilton. This museum traces the local history of South Lanarkshire, with displays relating to Hamilton Palace; early settlement; working life, including agriculture, weaving, and coalmining; also the fascinating story and regimental records and artefacts of the Cameronian (Scottish Rifles) Regiment (see video below), which disbanded in 1968, are also included in the collection. 

The first of these buildings is Portland, built in 1696 as the private home of David Crawford, secretary and lawyer to the 3rd Duke and Duchess of Hamilton. The other historic building is the former Palace Riding School, built in 1837 by Alexander, 10th Duke of Hamilton.

The museum’s stylish Mezzanine Café looks out over the Riding School Gallery, giving a bird's eye view of the Agriculture and Coalmining displays. This is a relaxing spot for lunch or just coffee and cake with children’s activities throughout the galleries, there is plenty for everyone to see and do.

Low Parks Museum has changing temporary exhibitions. Please click the link on the right under ‘Find Out More’ for details.

South Lanarkshire’s Museum Collections

South Lanarkshire's museum collections reflect the many aspects of our culture, identity and history. Over 150,000 objects link the social, industrial and domestic activities of people who lived in, worked in, or were connected with South Lanarkshire. They range from the very ordinary, such as a Victorian chamber pot, to the rather surprising - a 110 year-old plum pudding from the Boer War. There are also some rare and very special items, among them a collection of seven Victoria Crosses.

After local government re-organisation in 1996, the collections of Hamilton, East Kilbride, Clydesdale, Rutherglen and Cambuslang were brought together. We also manage The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) collection, the only Scottish military collection in local authority ownership.

By caring for and developing the collections on your behalf, we ensure that they continue to be relevant, and are preserved for future generations. Find out more by clicking the link on the right.