All posts by Glenda A. White

Within a radius of about 30 miles

Annbank & Auchincruive

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This circular winter walk takes us to the old mining village of Annbank in Ayrshire. The walk starts from the village bowling green and heads north to Brockle Wood before entering the Auchincruive Estate and heading to the River Garden. After looping through the estate, we pass Auchincruive House (designed for the Oswald family by Robert Adam around 1764 but substantially modified before being built) before descending to join the River Ayr for a pleasant return walk to Annbank and the starting point.

Starting Point for the Walk:

In Brocklehill Avenue, Annbank, Ayrshire.  Park adjacent to the Annbank Bowling Club – OS Reference NS 407 233.  Alternatively, park on Weston Avenue.

Getting there: 36 miles/50 minutes

Take your favourite route out of Glasgow to join the M8 (south) and exit onto M77 (Kilmarnock).  At Fenwick continue onto A77 until the roundabout at Sandyford Toll.  Take the 1st exit onto A719 but continue onto B742 (Mossblown).  At the off-set crossroads in Mossblown cross the B743 and continue on the B742 (Annbank).  After a sweeping lefthand bend and just before the railway bridge, turn right into Annbank (B744).  Continue for a few hundred metres and turn right into Brocklehill Avenue.

The Walk:  Annbank to Auchincruive Circular – 4.4 miles (7 km)

Head in a north westerly direction from Annbank Bowling Club taking a small path at the end of Brocklehill Avenue.  The path leads downhill through woodland and into Brockle Wood.  Bear right where a track and path meet and at a junction of paths turn left into Brockle Wood.  Then follow the path by the stream to the left and follow this pleasant route through woodland.  Continue on this path, veering away from the stream by ignoring a path to the left.  After a short distance take another path to the left that descends to the River Ayr below.  At the bottom, pass through a stone wall into the Auchincruive Estate.  Continue along this often-muddy path until the River Garden.  Turn right through a gate and head for The Bothy Café where there are toilet facilities.

Head west from the café and exit the River Garden through a walled gateway.  Take this hedged broad pathway past the croquet lawn which overlooks the rear of Auchincruive House (previously known as Oswald Hall).  At the crossing of paths continue straight ahead and follow a grassy path past an expanse of water on the right.  The path passes near an area of estate buildings and Oswald’s Temple before joining the main roadway into the Estate from the north.  Turn left and follow this roadway down past the front of Auchincruive House continuing down the old drive until reaching the locked gates close to Oswald’s Bridge.  Go through a pedestrian gate on the left and turn left onto the riverside path.  Keeping the River Ayr on the right, continue along the path until the River Garden.  Turn left, and instead of heading for the Bothy Café, turn right and at the edge of the garden, pass a house before exiting onto a driveway and turning right.  Go through the gate on the left and follow the rising path through woodland.  Keep to the rising path and ignore paths coming in from the left.  Continue on this path until it joins a track coming in from the left.  Turn right and after passing the descending path on the right (that was used on the outward route) bear left into woodland (a blue arrow sign indicating the way) and retrace the outward route back to the cars.

Within a radius of about 40 miles

On the Canal

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Our walk in this month takes us back to old haunts and, given a lovely day, is one of the most attractive we have ever done.

Meeting at Muiravonside Parish Church on the Forth and Clyde Canal we join the canal and turn west to the basin on Bethankie Bridge (which is a tunnel not a bridge!). Here we board a canal boat, cross the spectacular Avon Aqueduct, and go west to Linlithgow canal basin. A short walk takes us down to the centre of Linlithgow.

Those wanting a longer walk will go round Linlithgow Loch and back to the Canal via the River Avon. Those wanting a shorter walk can find lunch in Linlithgow and then rejoin the canal for the walk back to Muiravonside. This is one of the finest walks in central Scotland. Do join us!

Within a radius of about 30 miles Part 2

Bridge of Allan/Dunblane

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This circular walk, of approximately 7 miles, links the towns of Bridge of Allan and Dunblane. The walk initially follows the Allan Water starting at the west side of Bridge of Allan and follows along the Darn Road (an old drove road). It continues as a path between drystane dykes, passes fields, a golf course and Kippencross House before entering the town of Dunblane. The route returns along Glen Road crossing the Wharry Bridge and dropping back into Bridge of Allan and the starting point.

Starting Point for the Walk:

Blairforkie Drive in Bridge of Allan (just off the roundabout on Henderson Street).   There is plenty of free parking available on Blairforkie Drive – OS Reference NS 788 978.

Getting there: 34 miles/50 minutes

Take your favourite route to the M8 (Edinburgh) and then onto the M80 (Stirling).  Then continue onto the M9 and exit at Junction 11 (the end of the M9).  At this roundabout, take the 4th exit onto the A9 (Bridge of Allan) heading south.  Enter Bridge of Allan on Henderson Street, pass the Bridge of Allan railway station, cross the bridge over the Allan Water and immediately turn left into Blairforkie Drive and park at a convenient location.

The Walk:  Bridge of Allan/Dunblane Loop – 7.0 miles (11 km)

Starting from the foot of Blairforkie Drive, go up the road and after about 400 yards turn left where the start of the ‘Darn Road’ is signed.  Follow this as it runs above the Allan Water then bear right into a gorge carrying a burn.  Cross carefully by stones and a footbridge before continuing uphill to the right.  The track eventually continues as a sunken path between drystane dykes, past fields and skirts past Dunblane Golf Course and close to Kippencross House.  Halfway along the sunken path, alongside a golf fairway, the path veers left – follow it to a main road on the edge of Dunblane.  Continue into Dunblane and along by the Allan Water towards the cathedral.  There are benches  for a lunch or rest.

After lunch, walk back to the main road and turn left up to the roundabout and follow the Glen Road signed for Sheriffmuir.  After a mile, ignore the sign for Sheriffmuir, and carry straight on down a single-track road.  This becomes traffic free after about half a mile.  Continue on the Glen Road and cross the Wharry Bridge, eventually dropping into Bridge of Allan.  Pass through Sunnylaw, and after approximately 500 yards, turn right into Blairforkie Drive to return to the starting point.

Within a radius of about 20 miles

Bar Hill & Antonine Wall

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This walk traces the Antonine Wall, an old stone and turf rampart, that was once the northern boundary of the Roman Empire. It was built about 142 AD on the orders of Emperor Antoninus Pius. It stretched 60km from Bo’ness in the east to Old Kilpatrick in the west.

The route passes the remains of a fort and bathhouse on Bar Hill, where a large collection of coins was found when the site was excavated, suggesting it was also something of a gambling den.

The route continues through woodland to Croy Hill before a meandering return along one of the most scenic stretches of the Forth & Clyde Canal.

Starting Point for the Walk:

The car park opposite The Boat House at Auchinstarry Marina, Kilsyth (G65 9SG) – OS Reference NS 721 767.  Parking is free.  Toilets available in the hotel.

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 signed Croy/Kilsyth.  Stay on this road for about 1.5 miles.  At the next roundabout take the 3rd exit for Auchinstarry Marina.  Park on the right, opposite The Boat House.

The Walk:  Bar Hill and Antonine Wall – 6.6 miles (11 km)  (Shorter options available)

Starting at The Boat House, follow the path in a northerly direction, cross the canal via the road bridge, and turn left through the black and white barrier to pick up the canal towpath.  This gives a pleasant tree lined walk for 2 miles to Twechar.  On reaching the village turn left over the road bridge (over the canal) into Main Street and follow the John Muir Way (JMW).  At an Historic Scotland sign on the left (near the Barrhill Tavern), turn left up a rough farm track which leads to the Bar Hill Fort.  The track rises gently for 1km, giving good views down to the Forth & Clyde Canal and the Kilsyth Hills.

 

At an old disused reservoir on the right, turn left through a gate on the left and follow the path gently uphill.  The remains of the Roman Fort and Bathhouse are over the brow of the hill.  Looking down the hill at its commanding views, the Antonine Wall lies about 60 metres away.  This was the northern frontier of the Roman Empire for around 20 years before the legion retreated south.  Artefacts from the fort and the wall can be seen in the Glasgow University Hunterian Museum.

 

From the fort, continue on a steep track that leads to a small Iron Age fort and trig point on Castle Hill.  Again, there are great views over the valley to the Campsie Fells.  Next, continue eastwards on a descending path along the line of the Antonine Wall picking up a track which goes through gates to join the main Auchinstarry to Croy Road*1.  Cross the road and through a gate (continuing on the JMW), then through a field to a small substation.  Next, turn right through a green metal gate*2 and follow the signs, on the left, to Croy.  The path leads eastwards passing houses on the right.  Next, climb Croy Hill and enjoy views over the valley, the Kilsyth Hills and the Campsie Fells.  Further on, take the central track that goes between the two mini peaks and carry on along the path until the Roman Centurian Statue.  Then take the path to the right that leads downhill to the canal.  Cross the canal and leave the JMW by turning left (westward) onto the towpath leading back to Auchinstarry.

 

Those wanting a shorter walk, can either turn left at the Auchinstarry to Croy road*1 and descend via the road to Auchinstarry (4 miles) or take the track back to Auchinstarry*2 on a less direct route (4.6 miles) .

Within a radius of about 30 miles Part 2

Falls of Clyde

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Starting Point for the Walk:

On the road below the church on Braxfield Row/New Lanark Road – OS Reference NS 880 426.

Getting there: 32 miles / 59 minutes

Take your favourite route to the M74 towards Carlisle.  Exit the M74 at Junction 7 (Lanark/Larkhall) and turn left onto the A72 (brown signed New Lanark).  At the roundabout just before Garrion Bridge go left and at the Garrion Bridges Roundabout take the 3rd exit onto the A72 (Lanark) and continue through Rosebank, Crossford, and Kirkfieldbank.  Enter Lanark from the north side and, at the traffic lights, turn right to join the A73/A473 (brown signed New Lanark).  Continue through the town and past the train station.  At the roundabout take the 3rd exit (Hyndford Road) towards New Lanark.  Take a very sharp left turn into Braxfield Road (then onto New Lanark Road) and follow the signs to New Lanark.  On approaching the main car park for New Lanark turn right to zig-zag down to New Lanark.  Park on the street.  If there is no parking available return to the main car park (fee payable) and walk down to the village.  There are toilets and a café at the Visitor Centre.

The Walk:  Falls of Clyde Circular – 7 miles (11 km) – Occasional steep inclines/declines and steps

Staring from the old church, walk up the main road (New Lanark Road) and just before the road swings sharply to the right, turn left onto the signed Clyde Walkway.  Follow this woodland path downwards to the River Clyde and continue past Braxfield Park.  At the steep zig-zag path which climbs to the right, leave the views of the river and emerge into Castlebank Park.  Turn left onto the metalled park road and at the entrance to the park turn left onto St Patrick’s Road.  Follow this minor road to the end and turn left onto Chisholme Brae which passes the water works and meets the river again.

Continue onwards and after passing a few buildings turn left and cross the old bridge (Riverside Road).  Then turn left again into Kirkfield Road.  With the road rising gently, turn left through an old stone gateway onto a woodland track.  Follow this gently rising track watching out for wildlife and spectacular views of the river and falls.  The area is part of the Falls of Clyde Nature Reserve.  Continue past the ruins of Corra Castle and some minor falls and at Bonnington Linn cross the bridge to the east side of the river and turn left.  Continue on this gently descending path towards Corra Linn and the Falls of Clyde.  Pause at the viewing area for the Falls and then continue on the path down past the Bonnington hydro-electric power station at Corehouse.  Just past the power station bare left towards the river and continue onto a short stretch of boardwalk.  The path then continues towards the village and then passes The Mechanic’s Workshop, Robert Owen’s School, the site of Mill 4, the Institute for the Formation of Character, and Mill 3 (the New Lanark Visitor Centre and Café).  Return to the cars parked on the street or at the main car park.

Within a radius of about 30 miles Part 2

A Doddle around Darvel

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Starting Point for the Walk:

At the Car Park in Ranoldcoup Road, Darvel – OS Reference NS 563 373.

Getting there: 28 miles / 43 minutes

Take your favourite route to the M77 towards Ayr.  Once on the M77 continue to Junction 6 signed Galston A77.  After ½ mile turn right onto A77 (Galston) and go under the M77.  At the roundabout take the 1st exit onto Ayr Road signed Galston A77 (A719).  After about a mile turn left onto A719.  Continue through Waterside and Moscow and after about 6 miles (at the Galston roundabout) take the first exit onto A71.  Continue through Newmilns and arrive in Darvel after about 3 miles.  Just past an attractive square on the right, turn right into Ranoldcoup Road.  Continue down Ranoldcoup Road to a car park on the left, opposite Collins Avenue.

The Walk: 

Darvel, Lanfine Estate & Newmilns Circular – 8.3 miles (13 km)

Leave the car park on Ranoldcoup Road and turn left down towards the River Irvine and the Ranoldcoup Bridge.  After crossing the bridge go through the gates straight ahead to enter the lovely Lanfine Estate which was ablaze with rhododendrons on the recée.  Continue on this surfaced track passing an enclosed section which is the home to wild boar (hopefully on show) until a stone bridge over the Newlands Burn.  Instead of crossing the bridge follow a wooded path off to the left which leads towards a waterfall.  The path meanders through pleasant woodlands and eventually crosses a burn and leads to a wider track.  At this point Lanfine House can be seen through gaps in the trees.  Continue left onto a small road and at the junction, turn left onto another small estate road.

At the crossroads, there is the option to have a shorter walk of 5 miles, by taking the road to the right and walking, initially, in a westerly direction.  This shorter route rejoins the main route in Brown Street (see below).  Those doing the full walk continue south and follow the road uphill until it becomes a track.

This track turns to the right after a few hundred yards, and at a junction with two other tracks bear right towards Bonnieton Hill Plantation.  The rewards of the uphill section are the views across the valley and a lovely flat track!  The route now follows this main track, ignoring any small paths going off, until it meets Windyhill Road.  Turn right down the road in the direction of Newmilns.  On the outskirts of the town the route goes right, along Brown Street, where there are some closed/derelict remains of the old lace industry and then some attractive cottages lining the road.  Continue along Brown Street (in to which joins the shorter route) until almost the end and, before the bridge, turn right into Brown’s Road which meanders alongside the River Irvine back to Ranoldcoup Bridge.  Turn left and retrace the route to the car park.