North Lanarkshire
North Lanarkshire is a tiny region in the very heart of Scotland, just north of the city of Glasgow. It boasts the highest density of population among all council areas, except for the cities of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee. Regardless of the small size of the area, the landscape is very diverse – rolling hills, extensive farmlands, river valleys and urban areas change in quick succession. Green areas like the Drumpellier, Palacerigg and Strathclyde country parks offer excellent opportunities for sports and recreation. The choice of shopping alternatives in the small, but vibrant cities, varies from colourful farmers' markets to modern malls. Eating out and nightlife are also of superb quality. The administrative centre of North Lanarkshire is Motherwell, but Airdrie is larger and offers more heritage sites and entertainment possibilities.