This is a lovely walk starting and finishing in the village of Eaglesham. It is a clockwise circular walk and passes through the village of Waterfoot before returning to the starting point.
At about 8.5 miles it is a pleasant walk with undulating elevations mostly on country lanes. There are shorter options of about 4.5 miles and 6 miles for those wishing a shorter route. There is a ford to be crossed on this walk but at this time of year there should be no problems. There is plenty to see in and around the village of Eaglesham including an equestrian centre, a golf course, an
environmentally friendly housing development, a dog gym exercise area, and quiet country lanes. There are good views
northwards to the Campsies, Ben Lomond and the surrounding hills when the weather is clear.
Starting Point for the Walk:
Mid Road, Eaglesham – OS Reference NS 572 518.
Getting there: 16 miles/25 minutes
Take your favourite route to the M77 (Kilmarnock). Exit M77 at Junction 5 (East Kilbride/Eaglesham [A726]). At the roundabout turn right (Eaglesham [B767]). Continue into Eaglesham and at the traffic lights turn right into Montgomery Street. Free parking is available in Montgomery Street which is adjacent to Mid Road.
As an alternative, buses run regularly from the city centre to Eaglesham (FirstBus: Service 4a). Journey time is about 60 minutes. A regular train service runs from Glasgow Central to Clarkston. Journey time about 20 minutes. There is a regular bus service from here to Eaglesham (FirstBus: Service 4a). [Information correct at May 2022]
The Walk: Bonnyton/Hill of Dripps Loop – 8.25 miles (13 km)
There are two points at which there is the option for a shorter walk of either 4.8 miles (8 km) or 6.5 miles (10 km).
Starting from Mid Road, turn right into Montgomery Street and continue up the street towards the edge of the village where it becomes Moor Road. Turn right into Kirkton Moor Road and take the gentle inclined road to pass the equestrian centre and golf course. At the end of the road turn right into Bonnyton Moor Road. This stretch of road provides fines views over Glasgow to the Campsies and Queen’s View on a clear day. At the bottom of this road, the road turns right at a 90° corner, it then becomes Humbie Road. At the roundabout (Point A) there are two options. For the full walk turn left and go under the A726. (See Option A below for 4.8 mile walk).
At the next roundabout turn left again and at the third roundabout turn right into Floors Road which leads into Waterfoot. At the end of Floors Road (Point B), at the junction with Glasgow Road [B767], there are two options. For the full walk turn left. (See Option B below for 6.5 mile walk).
Continue until the intersection with Waterfoot Road [signed Newton Mearns] and turn right to cross the Waterfoot Bridge and pass Dripps Mill. Continue with caution up this road (now without a pavement – keeping to the right side of the carriageway) and take the first turning on the right. After about 2km, and after a 90° bend to the left, turn right to join the Holehouse Road. Follow the Holehouse Road down to the ford, cross the ford and follow the road under the A726 and then up the long hill to the start of Eaglesham village. At the junction with the B767 turn left and *after passing the Eglinton Arms turn right into Polnoon Street and left into Mid Road to return to the start point.
Option A: Turn right at the roundabout (onto Humbie Road). At the end of Humbie Road, at the junction with Glasgow Road [B767], turn right. Continue south on Glasgow Road into Eaglesham and follow the route from * above.
Option B: At the end of Floors Road, at the junction with Glasgow Road [B767], turn right. Continue south on Glasgow Road back into Eaglesham and follow the route from * above.