Bothwell & Walks
Bothwell and surrounds offer many picturesque walks and hikes.
Bothwell (popn.~400) is situated in the beautiful Clyde River Valley and as the southern gateway to the Central Highlands has much to offer the visitor.
The town itself is in a peaceful rural setting with an old world atmosphere, and contains many interesting buildings of both architectural and historical interest. A large number of Bothwell’s buildings date from the early 1800’s, and 52 of them have either been classified or registered by the National Trust.
Self-guided walking tours are the best means of seeing and learning about Bothwell’s history, and the self-guided brochure is available from the Golf Museum.
The walk to Mt. Adelaide Lookout takes the visitor down Alexander Street, through Croaker’s Alley and passed Fort Wentworth.
Mt. Adelaide is a wonderful vantage point to view the village and gaze along the extent of the Clyde River Valley, from the snowcapped peaks of Mt. Field National park to the south, and the bluff of Table Mountain to the north
Sheep grazing and beef cattle properties are predominate throughout the surrounding areas. There is also a variety of new industries operating to support the traditional farm based enterprises. These include tulips, cereal grains crops, poppies, pyrethrum, strawberries and sheep and goat cheese making. Bothwell also relies on its historic value to attract visitors.
Bothwell’s name was chosen by Governor Arthur after a Scottish town that also spans the River Clyde. He rejected the suggestion of New Lanark, which was the name of another Clyde mill town that had recently been built as an example of social reform.