Allotments have a long history in the UK, dating back to the 19th century when they were first introduced to provide working-class families with land for food production. They are a great way for people who may not have a garden at home to grow food, exercise, enjoy outdoor activity, and become part of a local community, all great for your health and wellbeing. 

Typically, allotments are small plots of land rented by individuals or families primarily for the purpose of growing vegetables, fruit, or flowers. They are sometimes part of a larger community garden or more likely to be established on land owned and managed by the local authority.  

To find out where the allotment sites are in your area of Lanarkshire and how to apply for a plot visit: 

Both Local Authorities in Lanarkshire are strongly committed to developing local food growing opportunities and supporting initiatives focussed on producing locally grown food. You can find out more about what your council has done to date and proposes to do going forward by reading their ‘Food Growing Strategies’ available online here:

Find out how your Local Authority’s own ‘Food Growing Strategy’ ties in with the Scottish Government’s national vision for Scotland to be a Good Food Nation along with the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act 2022 that provides the foundation and framework for this to be realised.