Starting Point for the Walk:
The Edenmill Farm Shop car park – OS Reference NS 514 793.
The postal address for the Farm Shop is: Stockiemuir Road, Carbeth by Blanefield, G63 9AX.
Getting there: 10 miles/35 minutes

Take your favourite route towards Bearsden (A809) and on the northern side of Bearsden turn right onto the Stockiemuir Road (A809).  Continue past Carbeth and at Auchengillan turn left (just past a parking area on the right) onto a narrow road (signed for the farm shop) with a 15mph speed limit.  Continue for about 400m until the car park.  Note: watch out for ‘speed bumps’,  pedestrians and other road users!

The Walk:  Burncrooks Reservoir Loop – 6.3 miles (10 km)

Leave the Car Park at the southeast corner and turn right onto the John Muir Way.  Follow the track in a westerly direction as it gently climbs for approx 0.7 mile.  After passing South Lodge, the track then heads northwest for approx 0.2 mile.

At the junction with a quiet private road turn left and pass the water filter station.  Continue on the private road for approx 0.8 mile as it climbs in a westerly direction.  Leave the private road and head in a south southwest direction along a track through woodland.  After a short distance turn right onto a path that runs alongside Burncrooks Reservoir.  The path around the reservior has a series of short inclines and declines.

In due course, the John Muir Way heads northwest away from the reservoir but before that turn right off the main path and head east on another path which gradually drops down below the Dam.  After a short climb the path joins the private road on the other side of the reservoir.  Continue on this road in an easterly direction for approxiately 2 miles, ignoring the path on the right which formed part of the outward route.  The road leads down to Auchineden Farm and the Edenmill Farm Shop.

Starting Point for the Walk:

At the end of Dalsholm Road which is past the Dawsholm Recycling Centre – OS Reference  NS 557 696.  There is free on-street parking.

Getting there: 2 miles/ 10 minutes

From the Byres Road junction with the Great Western Road turn left.  Turn right at the second set of traffic lights into Cleveden Road.  Keep straight on at a roundabout and down a steep hill to cross the Forth and Clyde canal.  Having crossed the canal, take the first exit (Dalsholm Road) at the roundabout and cross over the railway line.  Continue on Dalsholm Road, ignoring the road coming in from the left.  However, be careful.  Whilst you have the right of way those coming from the left may not think so!  Continue onwards (past the Dawsholm Recycling Centre on the left) to the end of the road.

The Walk:  Glasgow Waterways and Sighthill – 9.3 miles (15 km)

The walk follows the River Kelvin south and at the Kelvin Aqueduct joins the Forth and Clyde canal and goes eastwards towards Stockingfield Junction.  Admire the impressive new bridge.  Explore the site and observe the massive concrete whale which will be tiled during the next few years by tiles designed by Glasgow school children. Continue on down the Forth and Clyde canal spur towards Firhill.  Toilets are available at the Tesco store on Maryhill Road opposite Ruchill Street, which is a short distance from the canal.

Picking up the canal spur again, go south towards the city.  Continue past Firhill, of Partick Thistle fame, in the direction of Port Dundas (the end of the canal).  Note the impressive lock system and then marvel at the Victorian ingenuity of building major docks in the centre of the city – now reduced to a Water Sports Centre.  It is now possible to continue on into Sighthill Park (which has been moved from its original location) and reconstructured further away from the town.  The stone circle has also been moved to be a centre piece for the North Bridge housing complex.  Lunch can be taken here and the park can be explored further for anyone who wishes to do so.

 

Retrace the route back to Port Dundas and then return via the other side of the canal as far as possible.  Then cross the canal again and continue on the west side.  Continue up the canal to the Stockingfield Junction and turn left back onto the Forth and Clyde canal.  At the Kelvin Aqueduct leave the canal and follow the Kelvin River northwards back to the starting point.

The story of Glasgow’s Clyde Bridges reflects the development of Glasgow from its earliest settlements alongside the River Clyde. As the city flourished in the 18th and 19th centuries this resulted in Bridges being built which encouraged trade and prosperity. This Bridges walk starts on the South Side of the Clyde at the pedestrian Bridge at Cunningar Loop (East) and follows the Clyde walkway (West) and criss-crosses the river utilising various Pedestrian and Road Bridges. It goes through Glasgow Green, into the City Centre and to the finishing point near the Millennium Bridge.The walk concludes with a short train ride from Exhibition Centre to Dalmarnock and a walk back to the starting point.

Starting Point for the Walk:
The best place to park for this walk is Cuningar Loop Car Park (Cuningar Avenue).

Getting there: 7 miles/20 minutes
Take your favourite route towards the M8 [Greenock/Kilmarnock] and then take M74 towards Carlisle.  Exit M74 at Junction 2 and turn left onto Cambuslang Road (A724).  Turn right into Duchess Road which, as the road bends left, becomes Downiebrae Road.  Turn right into Cuningar Aveneue

The Walk – Glasgow Bridges – 7.8 miles (12 km)  The walk can be shortened as required)
Head north from the parking area and turn right into Cuningar Avenue, continuing into the Cuningar Loop.  Cross the River Clyde, from the south bank to the north bank, at Cuningar Pedestrian Bridge and turn left to join the River Clyde Walkway.  Continue westwards and at Rutherglen Bridge cross to the south bank.  Continue to the Polmadie Bridge and cross back to the north bank turning left towards Glasgow Green.  Cross to the south side of the river at Albert Bridge and return to the north side at South Portland Street Suspension Bridge.  Cross once again to the south side at George the Fifth Bridge before taking the IFSD Tradeston Footbridge back to the north bank.  Continue on the north bank until the Clyde Arc and cross to the south side heading towards Glasgow Science Centre.  At the Millennium Bridge cross back to the north side and follow the pedestrian route to the Exhibition Centre Station.Trains run regularly from the Exhibition Centre to Dalmarnock. The final leg of the walk is from Dalmarnock Station (see map at top).  Head south down Dalmarnock Road, cross the Dalmarnock Bridge and turn left into Downiebrae Road to return to the starting point.

This well-visited country park provides many and varied opportunities to walk within its boundaries and beyond.

Starting Point for the Walk:
OS Reference NS 546 779 .

Getting there: 10 miles/25 minutes

Take your favourite route to Milngavie and then take the A81 (Strathblane Road).  Continue along until you see the sign for Mugdock Country Park (NB the sign is some distance from the left turn).  Turn left onto Craigallian Road and keep following the signs.  At the T junction, turn right and continue until the car park on your left.  The best place to park is the overflow car park (sign posted) as it is far less busy.

Please note: If using SatNav make sure to enter Mugdock Park Visitor Centre, as Mugdock Park will take you to one of the outlying car parks, miles from where you want to be!

Toilets are available at Mugdock Country Park Visitor Centre as well as coffee.

The Walk:  Mugdock Country Park – 8.25 miles (13 km) (Shorter options available)

Leave the Visitor Centre and head down the track leading to the remains of the house for the old zoo.  Just past the ruins, turn left and walk straight along, skirting the edge of Mugdock Loch and then turn right, signposted Mugdock Castle.  At the T junction at the end of the loch, turn left.  (Option A – For a very short walk turn right at this point, explore the castle, and follow the signs for the Visitor Centre).

Continue on towards the South Car park and, just past the path for the car park, look carefully for a path on the left which runs parallel to the road and eventually emerges onto the road.  After a short distance on the road turn left into Milngavie Waterworks.  There is a lovely, wooded path along the edge of the reservoir which is reached by following a path over the measuring pond on the left.  Continue round this reservoir until a crossing point between Milngavie Reservoir and Craigmaddie Reservoir.  After crossing the reservoirs, turn right past various buildings and instead of continuing round the reservoir, take the access road down towards Mugdock Road.  (Option B – For a 4-mile walk continue round the reservoir (passing Drumclog Moor Car Park) and retrace the outward route back to the Visitor centre).

Turn left onto Mugdock Road then take the second road on the right, Craigallian Avenue, to re-enter the country park.  Continue along Craigallian Avenue towards Craigallian Bridge, the path becomes the West Highland Way (WHW) near Allander Park.  (Option C – For a 6-mile walk turn right, off the WHW, and follow the signs for the Visitor Centre).

Continue on the WHW past Craigallian Loch as far as Carbeth.  Just past the first few cabins and Carbeth Loch on the left, turn sharp right (before reaching the B821) through a gate and onto an upward path – now the John Muir Way.

Continue on this path as it ascends slowly then evens out, and eventually comes to a T junction.  Turn right and continue on until a small parking area on the edge of a road.  Cross the road and, veering slightly to the right, follow the path into the country park crossing a foot bridge and eventually turning left to head to the Visitor Centre and Car Park.

Despite its popularity, proximity to Glasgow, and compact size this is a delightful walk. It’s easy to get to, has parking nearby and the walk by the White cart river is both beautiful and full of surprises. Its about 5-6 miles long.

Getting there

Take your usual route onto M77 towards Kilmarnock. Leave the M77 at Exit 3 (A727) and go left at the lights. Continue over the Speirsbridge Roundabout. Note: approach in the left line and as that splits keep right so you end in the middle lane at the entrance to the roundabout. Continue ahead (Rouken Glen Road) and over the Eastwood Toll Roundabout (still the A727). At the Clarkston Toll Roundabout take the first exit (B767) which goes tightly over the railway. Take the first right into a public car park by Clarkston Library.

The Walk

From the car park head towards the Library and the path that rises to meet Stamperland Hill. Turn left. At the junction with Stamperland Gardens (opposite a church) turn right and then take the first left (Orchy Drive). Turn right into The Oval and continuing round, take the first road on the right and then turn left onto Randolph Drive. Continue for 200m and turn right down a short path between properties. At the end, turn right onto Nethervale Avenue. At the end of the road turn right (Netherview Road) for 150m and take a narrow pathway between houses on the left. This goes down to the White Cart River. At the bottom of this descending path turn left and follow a pleasant path with the river on the right. Continue until the White Bridge but keep on the main path – do not cross the bridge. The sound of a waterfall will increasingly be heard from the right. After about 250m take the path downwards to the right to follow the river more closely. There are views of the waterfall here. Continue on this path and when it joins the main path turn right. Continue past Holmwood House (National Trust) and cross Millholm Road. The next section towards Snuff Mill Bridge, is undulating (and can be muddy when wet or after rainfall) and involves a number of short ‘stairways’. There is no rush, take them at your own pace. At Snuff Mill Bridge there are beautiful views of the river. On approaching the bridge turn right and cross the river. After 75m turn right again into Linn Park – it is signed at the entrance railings. The walk now follows a broad tarmacadam path back to the White Bridge although there is a more attractive path (again muddy when wet) which runs closer to the river. At the White Bridge turn left and retrace your steps to the car park.

This is a very respectable walk along the Antonine Wall worthy of its bigger brother further south. It includes some of Dullatur, Bar Hill Fort, Westerwood, Castlecary, Seabegs Wood, Croy Hill, the Antonine Wall and the Forth and Clyde Canal.

Starting Point:
Park at OS Reference NS 720 768 which is the rear car park at the Boathouse Restaurant.

Auchinstarry, Scotland, United Kingdom

Getting there: 16 miles/30 minutes
Take your favourite route to the M80. Exit at Junction 4A, using the left hand lane to exit towards Kirkintilloch/Kilsyth /B8048. Keep left and follow signs for Kirkintilloch/Kilsyth /B8048/B802. At Back O’ Hill roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto B8048. At the next roundabout (Craiglinn) take the 3rd exit (continuing on B8048) and at the next roundabout (Blackwood) take the 3rd exit onto B802 (Howe Road) signed Croy/Kilsyth. Stay on this road for about 1.5 miles. At the next roundabout take the 3rd exit for Auchinstarry Marina. The Boathouse is on the left. Park behind the Boathouse; there is plenty of parking.

The Walk: 7.0 miles (Shorter option available)
Take the path up behind the toilets and go through a gate onto the road. Turn right to cross the bridge and take the path down to the canal on the right. At the canal turn right to go under the bridge. Follow the canal path and at Twechar turn left over the canal and follow the road up hill. Just past the war memorial turn left (signed Barhill Fort/Antonine Wall /John Muir Way) where a track goes uphill. Keep right where it forks and turn left at the kissing gate (with John Muir Way sign). Pass through the next gate and head diagonally uphill to reach the remains of Bar Hill Roman Fort.

After exploring the fort continue ENE (from the top of the fort), to pick up a grassy path that soon climbs to the top of Castle Hill. This is the site of an iron-age fort. Continue on the grassy path, which curves slightly right, to join the edge of the ditch of the Antonine Wall which was built by the Romans as a northern replacement of Hadrian’s Wall. Passing an area of forestry on the right, continue until a stone wall (with a sign about the wall) and turn right. Shortly after turn left along a track. At a gate continue ahead and, likewise, at a later junction.

Anyone wanting a shorter walk can descend the footpath marked on the OS map to Auchinstarry.

At the B802, cross the road and go straight ahead. Turn right at a fenced enclosure, following a surfaced track for a short distance, then turn left after a gate signed Croy Hill. The track becomes a grassy path and ascends steadily to the summit of Croy Hill with great views of the surrounding land. The final steep climb can be by-passed on the left. Descend down the ridge, with the ditch still on the left, through a group of four large isolated trees, past a waymark for the John Muir trail and continue to a good path turning left towards to Castlecary. Ignore a good path on the right which goes steeply down to the canal and continue on the path as it curves round to the left and pick up the signs to Auchinstarry. The path arrives at the canal bank and hence to the Marina.

This walk this month – with the possibility of a pre-walk cuppa at the Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life, starts off with a short walk to Coatbridge Sunnyside Station to catch the train eastwards.

The canal meanders its way past Calderbank and Sikeside then through Coatbridge before passing close to Coatbridge Central Station and back to the museum, the cars and some food.

Alighting at Drumgelloch Station the route follows some surface streets before picking up the North Calder Heritage Trail.  This trail passes Moffat Mills and then joins the Monkland canal, which was started in 1770.

Meeting Point:

The meeting point is at OS Reference NS 728 653 which is the car park opposite Summerlee Heritage Park, Coatbridge (see map >).  

The Walk:  North Calder Heritage Trail (NCHT) – 8.0 miles (Options: can be shortened if required)

Take your favourite route out of Glasgow to join the M8 towards Edinburgh.  Exit at Junction 8 onto A89 (Coatbridge). Follow road until you are in Bank Street and at the roundabout (with the Time Capsule Leisure Centre diagonally opposite on the right) turn left.  After 50m take first right into West Canal Street.  Go under the railway bridge at Coatbridge Central station and turn left into Heritage Way.  Parking is on the left opposite Summerlee Heritage Park.  Parking is free. 

Getting there: 12 miles/25 minutes

The day starts with a visit to the Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life (entry is free).  There is an exhibition hall, various outside attractions including Scotland’s only electric tram (charge applies), a replica of the first iron boat – Vulcan, and a recreated mine and miners’ cottages (a small charge applies for a 15 minute tour). There is a café.

After a cuppa leave the museum grounds and walk down Heritage Way, turn left under the railway bridge and at the roundabout turn left up Sunnyside Road. Cross the road at the bend opposite Sunnyside Station, purchase your ticket to Drumgelloch, then go over the road bridge to the platform for eastbound trains.

At Drumgelloch exit the station to the right and follow the boundary path/fence to the northeast corner and go right into Katherine Street.  Walk to the end and turn right (Towers Road), cross the railway bridge and turn left into Wester Moffat (Forestry Commission woodland). Take the left path and keep the railway on the left.  At the road, which is fenced off, follow the path for a short climb.  Keep left at the brow and as the path descends look out for the path to the right with the NCHT trail logo.  Descend the path to join the North Calder Water.  At Moffat Mills the path exits briefly into an estate.  Turn left and then left again, cross the bridge and after 50m cross the road to rejoin the NCHT.  Those wanting a much shorter walk (2.5 miles) can turn right and follow the road back to Drumgelloch Station.

Despite being so close to civilisation the NCHT has a country feel although it occasionally surfaces to skirt housing areas (e.g. Islay) before returning to the ‘wild’. The next road to cross is the A73 at Monkland Bridge.  Cross the main road into Woodvale Avenue, ignore first left and shortly thereafter turn left down the side of a house.  Cross the river and turn right.  Follow the path as it gently rises and at an obvious fork go right. Turn right again at another path junction.  At a crossroads of paths go right down the steps but do not cross the river. Continue on the broad path which comes out in an open space, ignore the path to the right and continue on.  The water will now be on the left!  At the next main road (B802) turn left, cross the road, and go right along a unmade road with houses on the right.  This leads to a dam and the end of the Monkland Canal.  Follow the path all the way to Sikeside and cross a busy minor road.  The path continues straight ahead and skirts a school. At the old railway viaduct turn left for a short ascent to the cycle path.  Turn left for 50m and then right and go down to another road.  Turn left, ignore the roadway on the left, and after 50m turn left to follow a broad path into a grassed area with warehouses on the right.  Follow this until the A725 and take the walkway over the busy road and exit to the right and then turn left to join an obvious path which passes buildings on the left.  At the minor road cross it and continue past the health centre.  As the pathway bends right to join a walkway over the main road turn off left and at the street turn left.  Then turn right at the end of the street.  With the railway high above on the left go to the end of the road, cross under the railway bridge, and then cross Bank Street and West Canal Street.  Turn right into Heritage Way to retrace the route back to the car park opposite the museum.