This walk starts in the Maryhill Road in the west end of Glasgow and, after passing Mackintosh’s Ruchill Church Hall, joins the nearby branch canal. Heading north on the towpath, towards Stockingfield Junction, there will be time for a short diversion to the lookout in Stockingfield Park. The route then crosses the canal on the new footbridge to join the Forth & Clyde Canal. From here it is plain sailing along the canal towards Lambshill and the Possil Loch nature reserve. Passing Bishopbriggs and Cadder, the walk ends in Kirkintilloch before a return journey to the city by bus.
Starting Point for the Walk:
At the corner of Maryhill Road/Shakespeare Street by Tesco Extra – OS Reference NS 571 683. Toilets are available in Tesco.
Getting there: 1.5 miles / 6 minutes
Directions from Cresswell Street, Glasgow.
From Cresswell Street turn right into Byres Road and then left onto Great Western Road. Turn right into Kirklee Road, cross the River Kelvin, and turn left into Garrioch Road. There is pre-booked parking available at Tesco (turn right after Contin Place). This costs £6.25 from Park with Horizon Parking . There is also a small car park adjacent to Ruchill Parish Church halls (in Shakespeare Street near the canal). From Garrioch Road turn right into Maryhill Road and then turn left into Shakespeare Street.
The Walk: Maryhill to Kirkintilloch (7.5 miles/12km)
From Tesco Extra on Maryhill Road, cross Maryhill Road at the traffic lights and walk up Shakespeare Street to the Glasgow Branch of the Forth and Clyde Canal, passing the hall to Ruchill Parish Church designed by CR Mackintosh. Turning west under Ruchill Street bridge continue along the towing path to Stockingfield Junction and over the new footbridge. Take a short diversion here to the lookout in Stockingfield Park.
Returning to the towing path head northeast towards Lambhill and pass the former stables for barge towing horses. From here it is a short distance along the towpath to the entrance to Possil Loch Nature Reserve. It is possible to walk around the reserve, but the path is far from the loch and is close to the busy Balmore Road. Continue along the towpath and pass a lookout over the loch. Leaving the lookout, it is another short distance to the nature reserve exit. At this point the canal is straight for quite a long stretch – a time for conversation.
Continue on the towpath until Farm Bridge, passing Bishopbriggs Leisuredrome on the opposite side of the canal. The next place on this walk is Cadder with its Roman history – the site of a Roman Fort and the Antonine Wall with a commanding view to the north and the heathens that lived there. After leaving Cadder walk under the Hungryside Bridge (the road to Torrance) and continue onwards until the Glasgow Bridge where The Stables restaurant is located.
After refreshments, those walkers continuing to Kirkintilloch can walk the final 1.5 miles into the town. The towpath passes the Millenium Bridge and the Southbank Marina to the Townhead Bridge. From there it is a short distance to the bus stop on Catherine Street. The express X85 or X87 buses leave for Buchanan Street Bus Station every quarter hour (journey time about 35 minutes).
Those wanting to return to Glasgow Buchanan Street from The Stables can catch an 89 bus from the stop across the Glasgow Road from The Stables. Buses leave at 19 and 59 minutes past the hour (journey time about 40 minutes).
Note: Times and bus services correct at May 2025.