Discover Stepps: Churches, Mining History and Trails

When looking for a hotel in Stepps, you could first consider which themes you would like to shape your stay. These include religious and industrial history, a heritage trail and a route connecting Stepps and Auchinloch. These themes offer different starting points for planning: local history, a trail taking in historic sites, or a route designed for several modes of transport.

Churches and their history

Stepps Parish Church opened and was dedicated on 27 May 1900. An earlier church connection is St Joseph's RC Church, which opened in November 1875 to serve a large parish. This included, in particular, people of Irish origin who lived in the village of Garnkirk and worked at its fireclay works. The opening dates of the two churches are around 25 years apart.

The history of St Joseph's RC Church therefore links its religious purpose with the lives and working history of the people who lived in Garnkirk at the time. By contrast, for Stepps Parish Church, the focus is on its opening and dedication on a precisely specified day. Both dates provide a historical timeframe; the connection with Garnkirk and the fireclay works is explicitly associated with St Joseph's.

Mining and whisky production

Sixty-two miners lost their lives at Cardowan Colliery. The mine operated from 1924 to 1983. The Cardowan Colliery Mining Memorial was unveiled on 19 October 2019. These details mark different points in time: the colliery's operating period and the much later date when the memorial was unveiled.

The Black & White Tower is also connected with industrial history: it was part of James Buchanan & Co.'s Black and White whisky blending and bottling plant. The plant officially opened in 1969 and remained in operation until 1987. The whisky plant opened 45 years after Cardowan Colliery began operating and remained in operation for four years after the colliery closed. Mining and whisky production thus represent distinct historical periods.

Trail and route connection

The Stepps and Cardowan Heritage Trail is a circular walk taking in 29 historically significant sites in Stepps and Cardowan. The Right of Way on Langmuirhead Road has a different stated focus: it connects Auchinloch and Stepps for walking, use with mobility aids and cycling. If you are weighing up these route options, different criteria can help: the Heritage Trail focuses on the circular walk and historic sites, while the Right of Way is defined by its two endpoints and the specified ways of getting around.

This allows you to consider local history and route planning separately. The Heritage Trail brings together historic sites in two named places. The Right of Way provides a connection between Auchinloch and Stepps and includes walking, use with mobility aids and cycling. These details offer practical points to help you decide which theme you would like to prioritise during your stay.

Outdoor learning at Bluebell Park

A new Outdoor Classroom has been completed at Bluebell Park in Stepps. It provides a dedicated space for outdoor learning, nature experiences and developing new skills. It is intended to offer year-round opportunities for outdoor environmental education, ecological learning and community activities, and is designed for use by schools and community groups. The facility is complete, while the year-round opportunities are described as its intended use.

The Outdoor Classroom covers topics ranging from nature experiences to ecological learning. Year-round activities are planned for schools and community groups. This distinguishes the site from the historic route options: its focus is on learning, nature experiences and community activities.

Facilities and bookings

Stepps Playing Fields offer facilities for use by university teams and external partners. The Stepps Cultural Centre accepts bookings for weekdays and weekends, subject to availability. If you would like to include a booking at the Cultural Centre in your plans, check availability for your preferred date.

You can compare local attractions with your own travel plans and then look for a hotel for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Cleland, Holytown, Gartcosh, Coatbridge, Kilsyth, Shotts, Bellshill, Motherwell

For the main travel overview: North Lanarkshire.