Ski centre on its way to Leadhills

And Lowther Hills Ski Club chairman Anjo Abelaira (41) is confident that an ambitious £10,000 venture – for a development including a clubhouse and three ski tows – will gain planning approval this autumn before becoming available for use from December.

Anjo, who hails from Galicia in northern Spain, said: “I came to Scotland in 1997 and I’ve always thought it was unbelievable that there were no real snow ski-ing facilities in the south of Scotland.

“There are three million people living within less than an hour’s driving distance of here so it is a wonderful opportunity.

“It would be great to have an official ski centre here, as people in the village have been running ski groups for local families and groups of friends.

“This would be the only place in this area where you could ski on real snow.”

For more on this story pick up a copy of this week’s Carluke and Lanark Gazette, which is in the shops now.