If pets could drive, then there would be a lot of fur on the roads, but where would the Fur Park?…read more First-Hand Experience: More info about my personal experience at this stadium - I watched Motherwell play here when I was a kid. It was one of only 3 Scottish stadiums I went to as a kid. We were standing up and it was pretty freezing and hellish but still fun. Then I saw Motherwell play here again during the 00s when I was at college in Oxford. They'd jazzed up the ground a bit and the supporters were louder than ever. I have been back twice this decade, in 2011 and 2014, neither time to see a game, but both times to relive old memories. The stadium looks as old as always... if it ever gets a major face lift I might give it five stars, because I love this team. But it certainly is a place that generates a fantastic atmosphere and I feel lucky to have been here. So when I was doing my first tour of Scotland in 2011, I also hit up every single stadium in the country. My obsession with footy (soccer to Americans) is the reason. Every stadium review - like all my reviews - are based on first-hand personal experience, usually from multiple visits. As recently as Fall 2014, when I was "stuck" in UK for 3 months, I went to most of them yet again while travelling. I have pictures of me at many of them, which I will post later. Also, when back in Scotland I plan to take more pix, and add more stadia! So watch this space! *** return to regular review *** Motherwell's stadium holds almost 14k people and has been around since the old days of 1895. It's not too far from Glasgow but let's not hold that against it. It's a big, awesome stadium although the corners are open and they need to fill those in to improve the atmosphere. It's coloured beautiful red and yellow like the team. The Scottish Women's Football Team calls this stadium home, too.

I have a confession. I never knew your father, and I only dated your sister once, but I knew your…read moreMother Well... ;) Since 1985, Motherwell have been consistently in the Scottish Premier League, but that is in grave danger this year as they will have to contest a play off final against the likes of Hibernian or (gulp) Celtic to save their place in the league. Watch this space. No seriously, watch it. Okay, thanks for watching the space, I'm back. First-Hand Experience: I have been to their home stadium 4 or 5 times, twice to watch a match, one time in the really old days. I have seen them play live on 2 or 3 occasions and each time I absolutely loved it. I adore their kits, their fans, their atmosphere. I consider myself a semi-fan of Motherwell and am proud to have seen them play. Hamilton and Airdrie are the main rivals, and this club was founded in 1886 and plays in gorgeous yellow and red, really luscious eyecatching colours. They've been a top division side throughout most of history. Their greatest achievement was winning the Scottish League in 1932, but they've been runners up 7 times, including 95, 2013 and 2014... Celtic were the team that kept them out of it. They have finished 3rd 8 times. They won the Scottish Cup in 1952 and 1991, and have been runners up 5 times including 2011. Won the Scottish League Cup in 1951, and were runners up twice including 2005. So they're altogether a really fantastic club that play to 14k fans and have punched above their weight.

A good football stadium that, while never busy, is still quite cramped with seats quite cosily put…read moretogether. This will either be a really good or really bad thing depending on if you're team are winning or not. I'm not the biggest football fan in the world, so I am rarely here to watch some football but rather for functions, mainly in the Davie Cooper Suite. It's really nice, with good barstaff and well stocked bars. The buffets are always ace as well. Had some great nights in here. If you are here for football, you could do worse, but also better. It's not the best stadium in Scotland but at the end of the day it all comes down to whether or not your team wins. Could be doing with some money pumped into it, along with alot of places in Motherwell.

In walking distance from Motherwell Train Station and near some hotspots like the Motherwell…read moreHeritage Centre, Library and The Zone, this is a popular 3-star hotel with single rooms from £50.00 including a full Scottish breakfast. I have never stayed myself but go regularly for a lunch or sometimes as a treat at dinner time, with a great grill menu. It's always busy, but not loud and the service is really good. You can also use this place for conference facilities that rival that of the nearby Heritage Centre. Recommended for a nice quiet wholesome lunch.

I have never liked the way the Bentley Hotel looks, or it's location really. It's kind of stuffed…read moreround a corner across from the Heritage Centre, and you wouldn't notice it walking past. It isn't very grand, or very modern. It's just kind of...there. I have been to the Bentley many, many times for weddings, anniversaries, lunches and dinners over the years. I went recently with a group of old school friends. I have no idea why the person booked here, although the selection is limited in Motherwell I suppose, but I thought it was a strange choice for three 21 year old girls! The dining room looks pretty much like someone's dining room in their home, which put me off a bit but I suppose they are going for a homely feel with the whole hotel. The menu was good value, three courses for just under £15, which was not bad at all for a hotel. I had the melon with orange and grapefruit for a starter which was small and presented well, and very tasty. I moved onto chicken and bacon in a chasseur sauce, which was served with potatoes and veg, nice and hearty, with a real home cooked taste. It is not haut cuisine and it isn't modern; all of the dishes served are traditional 'Sunday dinner' type dishes, which is lovely if you like that kind of thing, and perfect for a family meal where everyone likes different things. Dessert was Apple pie with ice cream which was served warm. It was, again, very hearty and stodgy and reminded me of the Apple Pie my Gran used to make on Sundays, which was lovely. All of the food was good, tasty and filling. Although I tend to prefer lighter meals like pastas and fish, this was a nice change and somewhere I would definitely visit again.

We used the club for 70 family members and friends and spent over £400 on buffet plus lots on…read moredrinks. I went back the day after and was taken aback by a blond headed woman called Jane behind the bar who began to shoot at me. She accused our party had only let them drew in £98 at the bar the night before. She proceeded to say they are not a charity and the miners club committee weren't very happy. Her attitude was extremely aggresive and threatening at me and this has caused me great stress and upset - I was in tears when I told my husband about it and he could not believe his ears. I live locally and can honestly say I have never received such threatment as a paying customer. I will tell all my friends and relatives about it and will advice them to take their custom elsewhere. I had told my sister who was there on the night about it and she was very shocked to hear this. She told me her family spent over £50 at the bar on top of my family's £15, and 10s of others so how they only got £98 at the till goodness knows. I had already complained to one of the club committee member but he was not sympathetic at all. Hw said "what do you want me to do?" Basically I think tbere are plenty of other friendlier and courteous places elsewhere and no one should go through what I went through.

Many a great night has been had in the Motherwell Miners. I…read morewill start off with some brutal honesty...It is a complete dive. I think it was supposed to shut down about a year ago, but somehow, the place just won't die and it is still very busy on Saturday nights as it always has been. The decor is old: I'm talking peeling wallpaper and holes in the floor, chairs and tables with three legs and the likes. It has a large function hall which is actually humongous, perfect for a wedding or something if they would bother to do it up. It also has two smaller halls which are a good size too, great for birthdays or engagements. I have been to many functions in here, like charity nights, Bowls nights out (I have a friend who is Scottish Champion) and parties and receptions, and have never failed to have a great night out. One of the possibilities why, is the alcohol. They don't serve magic vodka or mystical beers, but rather, the price is outstandingly cheap. I'm talking about £1.50 for a vodka mix, and they don't skimp on the measures in here! Last time I bought a round, at a charity do last month, it cost less than a tenner for 4 drinks....you just can't beat that value anywhere else. I'm not saying this is a top class, sophisticated night out at all. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Cheap and cheerful are the buzz words here. And that will do me just fine.

Bilco's is a soft play area in Hamilton, which is a real God send for rainy afternoons if you've…read moredone the kiddies films at the pictures and taken them to McDonald's. Bilcos houses a Soft Play area, a climbing wall and a restaurant and games room. The soft play is excellent for kids aged 3-12, with loads of different slides and even a ball cannon which looks a right laugh, even for the adults (or big kids like me!) The climbing wall is better for older kids, probably about 6 plus. If it seems a bit daunting at first then they have a traverse wall which is free for everyone to have a go on and helps ease the kids into the real thing. Toddlers are not forgotten and there is a small soft play area for them too, which is great if you have kids of all ages. Brilliant day out for all the family.

Strathclyde Park can either be awesome or depressing, depending of course on what you want from it;…read morequiet walking/exercise green space or amusement park holiday destination for kids. I like to go early mornings to walk the dog when it is quiet and you only have the odd jogger and the ducks in sight. I'm not sure the actual distance round the perimeter - 3 miles I think so not bad if you fancy getting a decent bit of exercise. The park also hosts Parkrun on a Saturday morning for semi-competitive folks. The boat house (loads of water sports options available) cafe is also a nice stop off point for a quick refreshment and there is plenty of green space as well as a small beach to chill out and eat some home packed grub. I tend to avoid school holidays and any time after midday as the park sits right next to M&Ds amusement park and can become a bit of a nedfest but to be honest I'm probably just being overly judgmental. Busy crowds just ain't my thing. Definitely deserving of four stars as it really is a lovely part of Scotland and a nice wee escape from the town-y environs of EK, Hamilton and Motherwell.

'Strathy Park'. It's…read morereally really nice and great for running or cycling around, especially during the summer months where this place really livens up with families having picnics, dads showing kiddies how to skip stones in the water and lots of littering from youths, just to keep everything in balance. There's some great swings and such for children and the childlike alike and it's on the site of M & D's which has a good indoor centre with arcade games, bowling and pool which can help make a day of coming here. The rides in the theme park themselves are a bit of a let down. Watch where you park your car at night, as there have been reports of 'doggers'!

Me my friends Joanna on my son went to that bar today but this told me my son had to leave at 5 AM…read morebut no I said no he hasn't finished his new yet but they said all the drinking starts right now and then I said no and then I threw my sons shoes at home now is she started crying I only gave her a boss knows I don't know what is talking about and then I called the courts courts arrested me and take me into the other three weeks I don't know why but then I've got OLA after two days I am so sad I'm going to sue the company for every single goal of a half by by now

The heart of Hamilton, everyone and there granny has been to his nightclub. There is something from…read moreeverone from food, karaoke to head banging music. The Hamilton Palace has reciently been upgraded but the vibe is still the same. Expensive to get in and expensive alcohol, however with the lack of anything else nearby, what other choice do you have. The Allstar's nightclub is doownstairs and can be either a hit or a miss. The 30' somethings are located one floor up and can be too busy and rather hot inside. It now has beds and boths in it to bring it into the 21st century. The piano bar is just the same, karaoke and a good laugh, though this area is really small. There is also a restraunt in the Hamilton Palace, although I have never been in it. Upstairs above there is the over 25's which has a round dancefloor. this is probably one of the best rooms however is really busy. The next floor up is Baby Janes with also the added oval VIP area, although I really don't know why it has one to be honest. Baby Jeans is all the ned and headbanging music and to be fair not a pleasent experiance. Overall the Hamilton Palace is an expensive place and can be really hard to get served drinks. The toliets are clean and there is also a cloak room if needed.