A few miles southwest of Eaglesham, there is the largest onshore windfarm in Britain and the second largest in Europe. The Whitelees Windfarm originally consisted of 140 turbines which were commissioned in 2008. Since then, there have been two further installation phases. This has added another 75 turbines. Together, the windfarm can generate 539MW and power 350,000 homes. There are also 130km of gravel paths and tracks making this a great place for an easy walk of about 11km.
Starting Point for the Walk:
The car park at Whitelee Windfarm, Moor Road, Eaglesham (G76 0QQ) – OS Reference NS 529 490. Refreshments and an exhibition are available at the Visitor Centre. There are also toilet facilities.
Getting there: 20 miles / 28 minutes
Directions from Cresswell Street, Glasgow.
From Cresswell Street take your favourite route onto the M8 (westward), cross the Kingston Bridge and exit onto the M77 (Kilmarnock). Exit the M77 at Junction 6 and follow the signs to Whitelee Windfarm.
The Walk: Whitelee Windfarm (c7.0 miles/12km)
Leave the car park and return to the access road, then turn right to go round a barrier and down a track that drops then rises again to a junction. Turn left and continue for 300m before turning right onto a path signposted for “Lochgoin”. Ignoring the path to the left (a bike trail), continue until another junction and turn left. Continue following the signposts for the Lochgoin Reservoir. The path runs between Dunwan Dam and Lochgoin Reservoir. The viewpoint on Blackwood Hill affords good views of Ben More and the Campsie Fells. The viewpoint is a short detour to the left from the main path.
After Blackwood Hill, rejoin the main path and turn left, passing Turbine 43. Following the signposts, continue past Turbine 88 and turn right at the crossroads. Continue past Turbine 73 onward to Turbine 27. Ignoring the track to the right, continue to the junction near Turbine 13 and turn right. Continue on, past Turbine 6, towards Lochgoin Farm (where there is a toilet) and the Lochgoin Monument. The farm, which is now a small museum, was a noted refuge for Covenanters in the 17th century. Illegal assemblies were held on Eaglesham Moor during what became known as “The Killing Times”. The Lochgoin Monument was built in 1896 in memory of John Howie, author of the 1775 book Scots Worthies. The book was about the lives of the covenanters.
After visiting the museum, rejoin the path and take the first signpost on the right. The track passes Turbine 11, Turbine 26, and Turbine 42 before rejoining the outward route to return to the Visitor Centre.