All posts by Glenda A. White

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.

Within a radius of about 30 miles Part 2

River Ayr walk

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This is a gentle walk of approximately 8.5 miles along the banks of the River Ayr. The walk is mostly flat and includes some country roads near Auchincruive.

The walk commences from the car park on the north side of Ayr Academy in Beech Grove. The route crosses the University of the West of Scotland – Ayr Campus before joining the path on the north side of the River Ayr. The path heads eastwards towards Dalmilling Golf Course and from there continues on to Mainholm Smallholdings and towards the Auchincruive Estate. The return journey retraces the outward route back to the A77, crosses the river, and then takes the path on the south side of the river before recrossing the river back to the university grounds and the starting point.

Starting Point for the Walk:

At Ayr Academy Car Park, Beech Grove, Ayr – OS Reference NS 351 215.

Getting there from Glasgow: 37 miles / 50 minutes

Take your favourite route to the M77 towards Ayr.  At the Whitletts Roundabout approach in the third lane and take the 3rd exit (A719/Whitletts Road).  Continue down Whitletts Road, passing Ayr Race Course, and at the traffic lights turn left into Craigie Road (B747).  At the next set of traffic lights turn left into Craigie Way.  Take the first exit at the small roundabout to continue on Craigie Way and then the first right into Beech Grove.  Just beyond the Premier Convenience Store turn right into Ayr Academy car park.  There are toilet facilities at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) Ayr Campus near where the outward/inward route joins the river path.

There are regular train and bus services from Glasgow to Ayr.  The Starting Point for the Walk is approximately 1km from the railway station and 1.5km from the bus station.

The Walk: 

Ayr River Walk – 8 miles (13 km) – Mostly flat earth paths and minor roads

From the Ayr Academy car park head south on Beech Grove towards the river.  Pass another car park on the right and turn right at the junction and then first left to head southwards past the Ayr Riverside Guest Rooms.  Continue on a short section of earth pathway and at the river turn left.  The River Path heads east on the north side of the river.

Continue along the path on the north side of the river and on reaching Dalmilling Golf Course, follow the path to the A77.  Cross the road bridge onto the south side of the river and turn right down steps.  At the river turn right under the roadway and come up on the other side of the road.  Turn right and head northwards for about 200m and then turn right into Mainholm Road.  A road sign on the left points to the right and is signed ‘Mainholm Smallholdings’.  Continue on this road (part of the River Ayr Way) and take the first right and then the first left and head towards Auchincruive on a quiet country road.  Continue along the road until two large rocks appear at a junction.

Retrace the outward route back to the A77 passing under the road again.  This time, instead of taking the steps back up to the A77 continue along the path on the south side of the river.  Follow the path, in a westerly direction, with the river on the right and cross the River Ayr to the north bank using the Craigie Bridge.  Retrace the outward route back to the car park at Ayr Academy.

Within a radius of about 30 miles

The Alloway Loop

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Starting Point for the Walk:

Burns Cottage Car Park, Alloway, Ayrshire – OS Reference NS 333 185.

Getting there: 40 miles / 50 minutes

Take your favourite route out of Glasgow onto the M8 (Greenock).  Exit onto the M77 (Kilmarnock) and continue south on the M77/A77 until Holmston Roundabout on the outskirts of Ayr.  Then follow the signs for Stranraer and Alloway (A77).  At the next roundabout (Bankfield) follow the signs for Stranraer (A77).  Turn right off the A77 (signed Alloway/Doonfoot/Heads of Ayr).  There is also a brown tourist sign for Robert Burns Birthplace Museum.  Follow Doonholm Road until a small roundabout and turn right (2nd exit) and follow this to the junction with the B7024.  Then turn left and at the mini-roundabout turn right into Greenfield Avenue and then after about 100m turn right into Burns Cottage car park.  Closest train station is in Ayr, with local bus services to Burns cottage.

The Walk: 

Alloway Loop – 5 miles (8 km) – Flat

From the car park next to Burns Cottage, cross the road and follow the “Poet’s Path” in the direction of Robert Burns Birthplace Museum.  The Path has ten weather vanes and sculptures depicting scenes from Robert Burn’s poem Tam O’ Shanter.  Cross over the wooden bridge and turn right at the museum heading towards the Auld Kirk.  Toilets are available in the museum.  The graveyard at the Auld Kirk dates from 1516 and contains the grave of Robert Burn’s father.  The graveyard was also the setting for the dancing witches in Tam O’ Shanter.

From the Auld Kirk, cross over the road and turn right along the pavement towards the Burns National Monument and gardens.  There is a nice garden to explore and excellent views from the top of the monument.  There will be time to listen to Tam O’ Shanter in another outbuilding where the statues of Tam and Souter Johnny are on display.

Crossing over the Brig O’ Doon, take the path which leads towards the main road and then turn right and then left onto Longhill Avenue.  Travel along Longhill Avenue and take the steps on the right, down onto the tree-lined cycle path.  Turn right and follow the path over the River Doon.  Mungo’s Well is on the north bank on the left.

Continue on the cycle path and at Maybole Road turn left.  After 150m turn left into Kersepark and then right into Pemberton Valley.  Opposite Broadwood Park turn right into a narrow lane that leads into woodland.  Joining the woodland path, turn left and follow the path towards Rozelle Park.  Cross The Loaning and continue into the park.  Take the path to the left leading to Rozelle House and the Maclaurin Gallery.  Wander around the park to take in the sculptures, the Story Stroll and the pond before heading back to the car park.

Within a radius of about 10 miles

Kilmannan and Burnbrooks

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With a distance of about 7 miles, this walk, which lies between Carbeth and Queen’s View, starts at the Eden Mill Farm Shop.

A forest track takes you up to Kilmannan reservoir. Passing this reservoir on its eastern edge continue on to the Burncrooks reservoir. After a circuit of this reservoir on a well-constructed walking path, pick up the waterworks road for the return journey to the farm shop car park. Part of the walk uses the John Muir Way.

Starting Point for the Walk:

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 & Kilmannan Reservoirs – 7.2 miles (11.5 km) – Undulating

From the parking area, return to the gates of the car park and back up the road for about 100m.  Note the house with scaffolding on the right and then turn left through more gates noting the John Muir Way (JMW) marker.

Continue on this tarmac path for about two kilometres to a junction – the JMW indicates to go left.  However, keep straight on and shortly arrive at the end of the dam of the Burncrooks Reservoir.  The path now descends to the right and curves round to the left to meet a stony track.  Turn left, in a southerly direction, onto the JMW.  Alternatively, cross the dam and follow a very muddy path for about 50m that climbs up to meet the aforementioned stony track.

Continue on this stony, undulating track until reaching the east side of Burncrooks Reservoir.  At the junction of paths, the JMW goes left but turn right at this point and after a short distance, at a T-junction, turn left and go through a metal gate.  The path descends to the banks of Kilmannan Reservoir.  Near the dam the path leads away from the reservoir.  Continue through Greenan Glen, with Auldmurroch Burn on the right, for a couple of kilometres, ignoring paths going off to the right, until the path meets the JMW again.  Turn sharp left and continue on the JMW, in a north westerly direction, until back at the Edenmill Café car park.