This is a marvellous experience for all ages. A ride on the oldest miniature railway in Scotland ,if not the UK. Running since 1949, it is now 75 years old. It is operated by volunteer enthusiasts. Any profits are donated to charities. It is only £1 to go 3 times round the circuit. That's a fabulous deal these days. The railway is situated inside the beautiful Strathaven Park. A place that has recently become a peaceful hideaway for me. Only a short distance from Historic Strathaven Conservation town with its lovely eateries and pubs, the park has its own special ambiance.

Had a fantastic experience with the kids. I was like a big kid today being on a steam train. Hats off to the men who run this and maintain this bravo chaps excellent 💯🆗

We have been here a couple of times as the family live in Strathaven. This is perfect was kids. My 1 year old son loved it. There is also a play park in the area and a cafe.

It’s summer 1985. I’m 4 years old. And I’m at the park with my mum, dad, sister and grandparents. Not long there, I spot the miniature railway. Already being utterly fascinated by trains this just got my wee 4 year old brain about melting! I go on with my sister and gramps and the love affair had officially started! From then on, I was lucky to be taken all the time, every summer, almost religiously to this utterly fantastic place! Fast forward to being a teenager, like all kids, I grew up and wanted to do “cooler stuff”. So my adolescent brain sadly forgot about this magical little place in the world. Fast forward again to 2023. Reminiscing with my sister, this little railway comes up fondly in conversation. As with almost everything nowadays, we never ever thought it would still be there and still be going. Kids are mostly brought up on iPads and phones these days, not good old fashioned outdoor fun. I suggest to my partner we take the hours drive over just so I can have a trip down memory lane to see what’s still there. And I wasn’t expecting half of what I saw. We walk through the park gate and see the pond with the paddle boats, the old cafe still open and most importantly I hear and smell the smell that brought me back 38 years! It was still here! I went from 42 back to 4 in under a second. In full child mode I walk as quick as I can to get to the railway without looking ridiculous. And it’s as if I’m in a time warp. The little train is puffing around the track, every seat on the train full! Volunteers everywhere working, cleaning the other trains and just maintaining the place to perfection. I reach the entrance to be greeted by one of the most enthusiast guys I’ve ever met. I told him this story and he then tells me he’s been there 47 YEARS! So he might just have been my train driver way back then! Utterly amazing! The place is maintained to perfection. Everything just perfect and immaculate. And it still has that complete feeling of total wonderment that is just lost from the world today! You buy your ticket (only a £1 regardless of age) and wait in line! Upon the train arriving you are allowed to board the same carriages that took my little 4 year old self around all these decades ago! I was on cloud 9 by this point! The driver then comes down stamping all the wee tickets just to add to the overall experience! I still remember this from when I was just a boy. Amazing. We then take off for our 3 full laps round the track, train tooting and hooting each time it comes round to the station! Upon disembarking, I buy myself a complete set of wee badges (which were almost identical to the ones I bough decades ago!). The chaps then gave me all the time in the world to talk to me about the railway, show me around the station and allow me the opportunity to meet old Margaret, the tiny wee steam train that started my love of this place all these years ago! Every single volunteer is charming and passionate about just everything there which is just so nice to see in the world we live in today. The world has changed so much over the last few decades. Sadly mostly for the worst. But this tiny little place has stayed just the same and just as magical as it always was. I would go as far to say this is the best day out I’ve had in recent memory. And it’s all thanks to these utterly dedicated volunteers that have kept a little bit of magic still alive despite everything else. I would award them 10 stars out of 5 if I could. This little place is magic on earth and you NEED to go and experience it, reminisce with it and support its future. The world desperately needs more of this kind of fun these days! Will see you guys again tomorrow I think! (And I’m not kidding!) Thank you again for everything, and for keeping my dream alive all these years! Choo Choo! 🚂

Had a great time visiting the railway with my 5 year old son who is very interested in trains. The volunteers are fantastic. Very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about explaining how the trains worked with us and showing us other trains in the little engine shed. Highly recommend to those with who love trains!! Couldn't believe it wasn't busier!