All posts by Glenda A. White

Coalsnaughton Walk

Starting Point
OS Reference NS 924 957 Muircot Farm Shop in Coalsnaughton (FK13 6LS)

Getting there: 38 miles/45 minutes
Take the M8 towards Edinburgh and exit on the left to Stirling on the M80. At exit 8 follow the signs to Kincardine. Merge with the M9 but stay in the left hand lane and take exit 7 to Kincardine Bridge still on the M876. The road changes to the A876 and at the next roundabout take the first exit to Alloa on the A907. Note this will take you over the Clackmannan Bridge which will take you to a roundabout and again take the first exit following the A907 to Alloa.

Two more roundabouts with the same instructions will bring you to a third roundabout where you will take the second exit marked Tillicoutry, Alva and Sauchie on the B909.

Another roundabout will see you take the second exit on the A908 to Tillicoutry, Glenochil and Sauchie. Two miles up this road, having passed through Sauchie, you will enter Fishcross which is marked as a major cross roads. Here you will turn right on to the B9140 and another two  miles will see you enter Coalsnaughton. Go through the village and the Muircot Farm Shop is on the left just before you leave the village and about 100m before the ‘national limit’ speed sign. Careful because you come on it quite suddenly. Park vertically to the fence at the road boundary of the car park.

The Walk:
8.5 miles (Self-guided shorter options are available) Coffee is available at the Farm Shop  before heading out on the walk.

From the Muircot Farm Shop, turn left on the B9140. The B9140 is a very busy road but there is a narrow verge on the other side of the road where one can walk in a single file. After 300m turn left towards the Devonknowes Livery.  Follow the track down to a cottage, ignoring the sign which says “Path”, and continue down to the right for about 100m to a silver metal gate. Do not go through the gate but climb over the stile to the right of the gate and set off down a very narrow grassy path between a hedge and a field. Down and down by rough steps which may be slippery until a good path is reached. Turn right and after 20m note the sign for the River Devon Trail. A long stretch along this path, which is muddy in places, eventually meets a LRT of red blaise. The River Devon Trail waymarks to the left but we go right up a steep hill which soon levels off and eventually returns to the B9140. Cross over the road, continue by the ponds on the right and Aberdona Gallery. Careful since there are no verges and the few cars seem to move fast. 200m before turning left at a signpost marked “Path”! Pass a cottage on the left and once through close the gate. Continue downhill, pass a broken tree on the right and keep on. The path terminates at a large field with a metal silver gate, which may or may not be open alongside a fence. Follow this track beside a lade, noting the Black Devon river steeply below you, all the way to a major four-way junction. Go straight on and observe Gartmorn Dam Reservoir on the right. Follow the excellent path round the dam view point and then Gartmorn House, both options for lunch. Continue on the path to the Visitors Centre, cafe and toilets. A further 1.6 km round the dam will bring us to a track, Jamie’s Loan, which, turning left, will lead straight back up to Coalsnaughton and the B9140. Turn right and walk the short distance along the road, single file on verge on right, back to the Muircot Farm Shop.

 

Lanark Loch, Falls of Clyde and New Lanark

There is parking at Lanark Railway Station but, apparently, there are no toilets and parking is for rail users only. The public toilets are in either the South Lanarkshire Leisure Harry Smith Centre or the South Lanarkshire Leisure Swimming Pool both of which are in Thomas Taylor Avenue behind the Rail and Bus Station so it would be best to find a parking slot somewhere along there.

You are following the ORANGE route on the Tourist Information Leaflet. The distance is a maximum of 9 miles and follows tarmac roads, gravel footpaths and a grassy racecourse. There are a number of steps – no stiles. A couple of sections are along the edges of roads open to traffic.

To get there the shortest route still seems to be:

Take the M8 east towards Edinburgh and then take the M73, quickly followed by the M74 towards Carlisle etc.  (At junction 7, on the M74, take the A72 down the Clyde valley. Continue on through Rosebank, Crossford, and Kirkfieldbank where you climb up a steep hill to a really nasty junction with the A73. Here turn right, go up the main street through the town centre and at the junction at the top (at traffic lights), take the right hand road towards the station. Turn left along Woodstock Road, just before the station, and right along Parklands Oval which becomes Thomas Taylor Avenue running parallel with the station.

The Satnav code for both Leisure Centres is: Thomas Taylor Ave, Lanark ML11 7DG

Walk back to the Railway Station.

UK


From Lanark railway station turn left along Ladyacre Rd away from the town centre. Beyond the tourist info turn left into Whitelees Rd. Follow for ½ mile. At Lockhart hospital continue straight on. Just beyond the hospital as the road goes to the left, go up a short slope ahead onto a disused railway. Follow the path to the car park at Lanark Loch. Leave the railway path and descend to the loch.

Go around the loch in a clockwise direction until you reach a steel and concrete bridge. Take the next left and follow the footpath uphill to the equestrian centre.

To go around the racecourse follow the road to the left of the equestrian centre and follow the obvious circuit to return (adds about one mile).

(Just seven years after the first powered flight, Lanark racecourse hosted what was only the second international airshow in the UK. More than 200,000 spectators gathered to watch and a new railway station had to be opened. The event is commemorated in a public artwork at the entrance to Lanark Loch. The redbrick tote and the outline of the circuit is all that remains of more than seven centuries of racing at Lanark. One of the races that ran at Lanark was the Silver Bell. The winner received a trophy that dates back to the early 17th century.

To continue with the route go to the main road and turn left.** Walk for about 50 yards before crossing the road that leads to the Scottish Power Bonnington Power station. Follow the road lined with beech to Robiesland farm. At the end of the tree-lined section follow the road round to the left and continue downhill following a sweeping bend to the power station. For visit to Corra Linn turn left and follow footpath uphill to viewing area (5 mins.)

(At more than 90 feet high the Corra Linn is the highest of the four Falls of Clyde and one of the most powerful in Britain. Above the viewing area is a perfectly positioned pavilion. Once lined with mirrors, anyone standing at its centre felt as though they were at the centre of the Falls. The Corra Linn has been visited by William Wordsworth, numerous crowned heads and painted by JMW Turner. Be on the lookout for the fast moving peregrine falcons that nest on the cliffs.

The village of New Lanark and its tiers of mills and tenements is an impressive site as you reach the end of the river walkway. Begun in 1786 by Richard Arkwright and David Dale the village would later be renowned for the innovative employee welfare programme initiated by Dale’s son-in-law Robert Owen. The village is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.)

Go through the arch and follow the canal on your right through New Lanark. At New Lanark hotel hook round to the right and then turn left to go through main gates. Turn left uphill past the red telephone box.

Close to the top of the hill but before the bend, turn left to follow the Clyde Walkway. Continue along the walkway to the viewing platform and then over the suspension bridge. Descend the steps to follow the Clyde downstream. The path eventually climbs in a series of bends uphill to Castlebank Park.

Turn right in the park and continue to the play park. Follow the footpath to the left of the play park uphill across a grassy area. (Castlebank Park is in the process of being refurbished … it now has a Horticultural Centre, renovated and replanted gardens, William Wallace Memorial Rose Garden, Sculpture Trail including a 7 ft high Wallace wooden sculpture and a bog garden.)

(Lanark Thistle bowling club, on the top edge of the park, now occupies the knoll on which stood Lanark Castle. In 1297 Wallace attacked the castle and killed the sheriff.)

Turn left at the gatehouse and once through the gates turn right and follow Castlegate uphill through Lanark’s historic core to St Nicholas’ Church. Turn right and follow the High Street uphill to return to railway station

**Shorter Walk – go to main road and turn right. Following the pavement, you will pass the entrance to Lanark Loch and the “Spirit of Flight” Air Show Memorial. Further on you will see on the left, the old Cemetery with St Kentigern’s ruins where Wallace and Marion Braidfoot were married. Keep straight on down the Wellgate to arrive at St Nicholas’ Church at the bottom of the High Street. Turn right, and continue on right, back to bus/ rail station.

A Convolution around Muiravonside

This is lovely, varied walk is full of twists and turns, a canal and a river and paths not marked on maps! With a bit of history thrown in it’s perfect.

There are two opt-outs. The first is to stay in the park.  There are ample walks, an art trail (two pieces from which we all see) and a park café. The second opt-out is to return after the visit to Muiravonside Kirk by returning to cross the canal at Haining Bridge and following the route back which you will take alongside the canal. This cuts out three miles, in wet weather almost all  mud.

Park in the main carpark in Muiravonside Country Park. The Satnav postcode of EH49 6LW gets you to the village of Muiravonside but then misdirects you. If you’re following this, once in the village, keep on the road in the direction of travel and turn right into the park.

The Loan, Whitecross EH49 6LW, United Kingdom

To get there, for those without satnavs.

Take the M8 east (towards Edinburgh for the geographically challenged) and then the M80 off left to Stirling, Kincardine Bridge etc. Follow the M80/A80 as per usual, until you come to the M876 marked Kincardine Bridge, Falkirk and Grangemouth. (Just before the blue motorway sign you’ll see the brown tourist sign for the Falkirk Wheel.) Take this motorway to the left: the inside lane goes off on the M876 while the M80 continues on towards Perth. About seven miles further on ignore the M9 sign going north (on your left) and continue on for about a mile until the M876 merges with the M9 coming in on your right. It’s really very easy – just keep driving. When the motorways merge, the inside lane goes off to Kincardine Bridge so get into the middle lane and make for Linlithgow, Grangemouth etc. You sweep round Falkirk and make for Junction 4. Look out for the enormous Kelpies (horses’ heads) on the Forth and Clyde canal. Leave the motorway at Junction 4 and come down the slip road to a large roundabout. Go right round the roundabout ignoring a road to a ski slope, a slip road back on to the motorway and the A803 to Linlithgow ( and ignore  the seductive brown signpost to Beecraigs Country Park) and take the next exit, the A801 signposted to Bathgate, Livingston and Maddiston (and the M8). Drive straight down this road for two miles till you come to Bowhouse roundabout. Turn first left on the B825 (signposted in brown to Muiravonside Country Park) and half a mile on you’ll come to the Country Park on your right.

Turn right into Muiravonside Country Park. Drive right up the magnificent drive way, past the overspill (woodland) car park on the left , to the main car park and turn in left for cars as directed. The journey from Glasgow is exactly 35 miles and should take about 40 minutes.

Toilets: there are two sets of toilets at the main car park: the nearest are at New Farm next to the car park; the others are at the café which, in fact, you walk past on the walk. 

From the main car-park walk back down the main driveway to a substantial signpost pointing left along a good track towards Candie. Turn left here and, ignoring a signpost directing walkers back to the river, continue on to an unnamed, unmarked path above the farm of Redford. This unnamed path is best noted by the angle of the track, which is marked, to the left. On the map it looks as though there is no continuing path but in fact a good path curves round and down just above the farm. It joins the official route along the River Avon just above the river. Turn left here to make your way down a steep, muddy slope. (You may find it easier to keep to the fence until you reach the river.) At the bottom turn left to  follow the river through a delightful meadow and then through the steeply wooded section of Carriber Glen. The exit is barred by a landfall and you are, gratefully, directed up to the café and toilets. You continue above the river stopping to admire the ‘Owl’ bench and owls in the tree which are part of the ‘Art in the Park Trail’. Go through the Stirling family cemetery which is strangely moving. The path slopes down eventually, joining an old mill lade, and coming,as directed, to the old Mill and the Park offices.  Continue along a particularly beautiful stretch of the River Avon to the magnificent aqueduct towering above you. Steep steps take you up the considerable height to the Union Canal towering above you. At the top you turn back on ourselves to the canal. Once on the canal bank,  turn right towards Falkirk and away from Linlithgow but if you’ve never been here it’s worth walking back along the aqueduct to admire both the river below and the engineering miracle.

You now follow a metalled path along the canal bank, passing Bridge 49. Pass a canal inlet with tied up barges. Note when you come to Haining Bridge since this will be the return route for those opting out. However, it is well worth continuing  to Muiravonside Kirk. This is hidden to the right but is easily found at a small burn flowing over the canal path and into the canal. Just before this burn, there is a path over a broken wall with stone steps which takes you into the large car park at Muiravonside Kirk. (If you wish to avoid the additional 3 miles, turn back here and retrace your steps to Haining bridge where you can cross the canal and continue down along the opposite side. When you come to a junction of paths, continue straight on and follows the notes below.)

However, it is worth at least glancing at the cemetery, before continuing your way parallel to the canal path. From here there are fine views of Almond Castle. This little path soon rejoins the canal towpath.

Continue along the canal bank to Bethankie Bridge. Just across the road below, a fine set of steps goes down to the right on to the road. The road then goes under the canal by a narrow tunnel. This part of the road is also used by cars who exercise caution but who cannot see the tunnel until they are almost on it. Beware! Just under the tunnel, to the left, is a Public Footpath sign directing walkers through a gate and up through the woods. The path climbs to a driveway coming up from the road and into The Haining. Cross this driveway, following a public footpath sign. The path should go straight up the hill, but locals have struck off diagonally to cut off a corner. At the top, the official path comes in from the left and continues to the right but, again, the locals have continued diagonally. It all meets up by Parkhall Farm where you are directed by the footpath sign straight down and then to the right. This emerges at a metalled road with the path ahead barred for obvious reasons! On the metalled road, turn left and follow the road across the Manuel Burn.At the T junction, turn left and then, at signpost, cross the road and climb up beside some trees towards some houses. The first part of this path can be very muddy. However, as you circle round the houses the path improves and comes out on a lovely country road with views across the Bathgate Hills and towards the Forth Bridges. Pass signposts to Muiravonside (on the right) and Haining Bridge (on the left) both of which you ignore.

As you near the Union Canal a signpost directs you to the left and down on to the canal bank. There are three choices. One sign points back to Haining Bridge where the ‘Opt-out group’ will come in. Those coming from Haining Bridge will go straight on. One sign points to the canal which simply goes to the canal bank then back up onto the road. The third sign points towards Muiravonside and continues under the road. Those joining here will turn left at the signpost towards Muiravonside.

The next section is a delightful soft path along the canal but slightly above it. You soon reach a picturesque inlet where canal barges  are tied up. Some of the barges are residential. There are benches here to sit and admire the view. There are several paths leading back to the park but the best is to continue past this inlet with the barges, following a signpost to Muiravonside, which comes out in the car park of Bridge 49. Go up through the car park, turn left at the road and then, just before the bridge over the canal, cross the road and take the signposted track back into the park. At a major junction of paths turn right and follow the track back to the car park.

A circular walk around Milton

Getting to the Forest Enterprise car-park at MILTON near Aberfoyle is easy. Take your favourite route to Aberfoyle (generally the A81 which you pick up either at Maryhill Road or Canniesburn Toll). The A81 takes you through the east end of Milngavie; round the roundabout at Homebase, etc (sign-posted to Strathblane); past the waterworks; on to Strathblane, Dumgoyne, Gartmore House to the new roundabout outside Aberfoyle where you turn left towards Aberfoyle.

YOU MIGHT LIKE TO STOP FOR THE TOILETS AT ABERFOYLE NEAR THE TIC

Then go back onto the main street and continue through Aberfoyle (without turning right up the hill) and drive straight on towards Milton (and Kinlochard and Stronachlachar). After just over a mile, at the restored mill in Milton, turn left off the main road, cross a bridge and follow the road around, bearing right (I think!) at the Forest Enterprise signpost. Turn left into the main car park.

Stirling FK8, UK

The Walk

Your walk starts off straight over at the cross-tracks you drove up and continues through the forest to Lochan Gleannan, The lochan is lovely but the next two miles may be a bit of a hike through the forest although you get fine glimpses of Loch Ard below. Then it all gets interesting again as you reach the Aqueduct, the Valve House, Duchray Bridge and Duchray Cottage. .

Continue on past Duchray Castle to Lochan Splingen. If you have time you can go all the way round to take in all the sculptures.

The Semple Trail

To get there
Take your favourite route out of Glasgow (probably via the Clyde Tunnel) to join the M8 towards Greenock.  Exit the M8 at Junction 28A onto the A737 going south towards Johnstone.  Continue past Howwood and turn right onto A760 (Lochwinnoch).  At the box junction turn right into Lochlip Road (over Calder Bridge).  Continue until the sharp left hand corner where you turn right into the car park.  Parking is free.

The Walk:  The Semple Trail – 10.0 miles (Options:  5.0 miles from Howwood; short additional extensions)

The walk starts at the car park and is well signed.  Follow the cycle track southwards to the end of Castle Semple Loch, cross the bridge and turn left .  The track joins the pavement just before the RSPB reserve.  Continue on the pavement over the railway bridge at Lochwinnoch Station, past The Loch House (where we will be eating) and up to the roundabout at the junction with the A737.  Carefully cross the A737 and take the small road opposite.  The road climbs gently to Belltrees Road where you turn left. Continue on this road past Newton of Belltrees until High Trees where you take a smaller track to the right. Follow this country track to the end and go through the gate opposite onto a grassy path with the sound of the Linnister Burn to the right.  Cross the burn using the bridge.  The path gently climbs to join a minor road at North Muirdykes.  Turn right for 200m and then turn left onto the B776 and follow the pavement downhill.  On a good day there are wonderful views across the valley and to the mountains to the north.  Just past the Catholic Church (on the right) take a small path to the left (signed Beith Road).  This joins the B787 (Main Street) at the Church of Scotland.  Cross the road and turn right for 100m and follow the road left (Station Road) towards the railway station.

Continue on this road over the railway line, the main road and Black Cart Water.  Just past a parking area on the left turn left over a stone style to follow a track across farmland.  Note the Temple on the hill to your right which can be accessed by an optional detour once the track swings to the right as it approaches the north end of Castle Semple Loch.  Follow the path until it joins the cycle track (NR7) at a gate and turn left towards Lochwinnoch.  Cross the bridge at Castle Semple and take the path down to the right.  At the gate turn left.  Pass and/or visit the Collegiate Church which is on your left and the cascades on the right.  Continue on this track until an obvious split.  Go right through a gate and into woodland (Parkhill Wood).  Take the first obvious path to the right and follow this (generally keeping right when there is a choice) as it climbs and wends its way through the trees.  The path skirts the northern edges of the wood with views over the trees below.  Where the path splits at the southern end of the woodland take the path that rises slightly to the left and then another rising path to the left shortly thereafter.  The gentle climb takes you to a Lookooterie (a lovely viewpoint) on Parkhill.  Follow the path down the other side of the hill.  There is a short stepped section before the path swings left.  At the path junction turn right and almost immediately right again towards the Grotto.  Follow this path to the bridge that crosses Blackditch Burn and turn right.  Exit the wood through the gate, cross the cycle path, and walk down to the loch side.  Turn right and follow the track back to the cars.

Keep your eyes open: Interesting artwork/seats.  Historic buildings, including a folly; the cascades; the ice house.  Butterflies and birds.

Après-walk Meal: Arrangements have been made for a meal at The Loch House.  The ‘menu’ is attached for information purposes only.  It includes parking arrangements, directions and time.  Meals cost from £9.50.

Callander to Kilmahog Circular

Park wherever you can find a space in Callander.

The Walk: you may find it helpful to purchase a copy of the map of the excellent way-marked paths around Callander from the Tourist Information Centre or downloaded from the website. The ‘coloured dots’ in the notes below refer to this map.

UK

Begin by walking along the Main Street towards Stirling etc. and continuing past the junction for the road up to the Bracklinn Falls on the left and the Roman Camp Hotel on the right. A little further on a sign post directs you down a narrow path (blue dots on the map) which soon opens out, undulates along a low ridge and then makes down to the river. The stretch along the river is lovely. Continue along the very good path, past an information board and platform for fishermen, to where the path is forced inland up a set of steps, across a field and on to the main road at a bus stop. There are pedestrian traffic lights to allow you to continue up a track on to the old railway line. At the junction, you turn right (white markers on the map).

It is possible to opt out here by turning left and walking back along the railway line to Callander.

Turn right here and walk to the last in a row of houses on the right. Here there is a clear path on the left which leads up to the woods and saves a trek to the next corner and turning back. Cross an old wall and join a good path that continues northward, crosses another old wall and joins the golf course. We’re asked to skirt around the Greens. At Green 14 the path is indistinct but keep going and it soon re-emerges through some trees. Keep on the path, around the Greens, sometimes through attractive clumps of trees.

At Green 7, where you’re asked to wait until the bell has been rung, there is a lovely path going off to the right in the direction you’re coming from, i.e. on the right hand side of the path across from the bench and the notice. Follow this as it climbs gently and eventually emerges on the Bracklinn Falls Road where you turn left.

It is possible to opt out here by continuing down the road to the Main Road and turning right into Callander.

Continue down the road (White dots on a yellow road.) At the blue Parking sign, turn right and at the gate take the lower red-and-brown dotted route through the forest. At a viewpoint, a post with a red marker goes up hill, but you go left downhill. There are some very slippery boards here! Avoid! This path comes down to Tulipan Crescent.

It is possible to opt out here by turning left, going through the car park at the back of the Dreadnought Hotel and into the Main Road.

However, you turn right in Tulipan Crescent and go down to cross the main road (A84) and pick up the railway going in the opposite direction (red dots). Follow this old track all the way to Kilmahog where you cross the A821 but take the path immediately on the left rather than continuing to Strathyre. Follow this up to a second car park but continue on through a gate on to an excellent Woodlands Trust path above the road but well below Samson’s Stone. It comes down to the A821, crosses it and makes for the River Leny at Invertrossachs Bridge. Once across, turn left to the car-park at Coilhallon Woods. Here you have a choice:

You can turn left here on the lower path, (along a white un-dotted route) and wander along a lovely path, round a lochan and into Callander Holiday Park. Wander through the site (even in winter) to the gate at the end and down on to the Invertrossachs Road.  The road comes out at a little roundabout where the A81 goes left and up the hill to Callander. It’s much prettier and just about the same distance to turn right and go up the road to just before McLaren High School and Leisure Centre. Turn left and go down to a park, zig-jag on through the park to the pedestrian bridge across the River Leny and then on to the other side and up to the main road.

Alternatively, the main route takes the second track on the left and climbs a little up through the woods with excellent views across the hills. At a sign-posted junction  turn left and come down to a gap in the wall and the A81. Cross and follow the route above.

A cobble around the River Forth

There are glenda-white-cobbled-together-walks and Mark II glenda-white-cobbled together walks and this one is definitely in the latter category. Indeed, wyou actually walk through Cobleland which adds to the convolutions. But it’s all astonishingly beautiful – even in misly-misty rain. You’re never far from the River Forth sparkling over rushy weeds, tumbling over boulders and overhung by berried trees. The forests are composed of deciduous trees of every hue and, so far, the weather has conspired to produce one of the most astonishing autumns on record. This is just the walk for it.

The total walk is only about 7.5 miles but it seems longer because of the twists and turns and both the kirk with its mortsafes and the Woollen Centre are likely attractions. The route, except for the very last bit, is flat-ish. A climb of Doon Hill isn’t included (you go round the base) but of course you may want to go up.  The LRTs are firm underfoot but even they, and especially the paths, can be slippery with rotting leaves. Some of the paths are also joyously muddy but nothing serious.

To get there

Stirling FK8, UK

Even getting to the car park is a bit of a cobble! You can either opt for the route through Drymen (the A811 which then joins the A81) or take the A81 direct through Milngavie, Strathblane etc. Assuming you can find your way going towards Aberfoyle on what eventually is the A81, take the first road signposted (left off the A81) towards Gartmore Village. Follow this road to the sign directing you right into the village street and go up past the picturesque houses and shops. At the top you come to the back entrance of Gartmore House which is on your right. You turn left with the road (the Cunninghame Graham monument is on your right across the green). The road now curves round sharply to the right and follows the back road towards Cobleland and Aberfoyle. Not far along this road is the signpost on the left to LEMAHAMISH CAR PARK. Unfortunately, the signpost which should face you is missing so you won’t see the signpost for those coming the other way until you’ve past it! If you drive fairly moderately you’ll see the LRT going into the forest.

The first part of the LRT is reasonably good. At a sharp bend follow the blue parking signs to the left and at the cross-tracks follow the signs to the right. This section is not so good and you’ll want to take it very slowly where there are potholes. Follow this track down to the river.

The walk

Begin by taking the path along the River Forth – going down to the river and turning left. This idyllic little gander brings you on to the LRT coming in from the left directly from the cars. At an obvious path and sign post for the footbridge, turn right and follow the track through the woods, up over the footbridge across the Forth and down to the cycle track. Counter-intuitively, turn away from the massive sign pointing towards Aberfoyle, going right on the cycle path.   Cycle paths are better for conversation than for walking but you soon come to the ‘pill box’ remaining from World War II. At the road, turn right again across the river and then right down into the (closed) Cobleland camp site.  Take the track going straight down and along the river and follow this through the camp site. A very good path hugs the river, and opens out at some picnic tables. (If you continue on you’ll come to your car.)

Leave the picnic area by taking the path on the right-hand side of an unnamed (and apparently unmarked) burn. The path heads up through the woods and comes out on the LRT that you drove in on. Turn left here and come back to the cross-tracks which you also drove to. However, now turn right and walk through the forest to ‘Easter Park’ which you ignore, continuing down to where the path around Doon Hill joins. You will see that you can avoid going around Doon Hill by continuing straight on. This will save about ½ mile.

You are going widdershins around Doon Hill and the path is a little harder to find and less well-walked from this ‘southern’ end. It’s not actually marked on the OS map. However, it follows the contours around the hill (which looks high from this point but isn’t!) until it joins the LRT coming in from the northern side. Just before you emerge back on to this LRT a clear path on the left goes up to the top of the hill. However, it’s covered with trees so there are no views but you may want to go up for the fun of it. The base path continues to the junction with the LRT which you left ½  mile before and where there is a sign explaining how the minister of the kirk in Aberfoyle was stolen away by the fairies. You now follow the LRT to the road, cross the bridge over the Forth and turn right along the river path to where a ‘Welcome’ notice encourages you to visit the Woollen Centre.

Back on the riverside walk,  follow this to the junction of a contributory burn where you turn left up to the cycle track. Once on the cycle track, turn right to begin the walk back to the car. The first part is fascinating as you see Aberfoyle from a completely different viewpoint. You can also see what the Parish Council has done with devolved monies – a play park, a cycle run and a wild-life area. Well done them! The cycle track continues to the large ‘Aberfoyle’ signpost which you rejected earlier in the day, and back across the bridge to the LRT track leading to the car. If you want to go straight back, turn left here and retrace your steps along the outward route.

However, there is one more lovely bit to do if you’re up for it. Turn right, heading for Easter Park, and a little way along, on your left, is a path leading up to Easter Park. This is the only climb (ish) of the day! At the top, turn left and come down a particularly lovely path through deciduous trees which eventually reaches the outward LRT. Here, turn right and the car will be in sight.

 

Dunkeld Circular

For this walk you will need to catch the 10.10 train from Glasgow Queen Street to Dunkeld There’s a return train at 19.18. The ‘Dunkeld Path Network Map’, obtainable from the Tourist Office in Dunkeld, or downloadable from the website, would be useful on this walk.

Begin your walk by crossing the railway line by the bridge and then turning left (with your backs to the station) going to the end of the platform and down the steps. You come to a road where you turn left, taking the off-road path above the road.  Go straight on following the ORANGE, INCHEWAN path alongside the Inchewan Burn which is on your right. This part is absolutely beautiful.

All too soon, you reach the junction with a path to the left, but go a little further on and, on your right and just in sight, is a rustic bridge across the Inchewan Burn itself. Once across, you leave the Orange Inchewan Path, which goes off to the left, and take a forestry route, marked with purple dashes on the Dunkeld Path Network map, across the Ladywell Plantation.

You come to the GREEN BRAAN path at a curious junction where you turn right. It’s sign-posted to the Hermitage which you’re making for. The Braan path goes down to cross a country road, past a car park on your left, then underneath the railway line, then over the River Braan and into Inver. You then emerge on to a fenced off-road path alongside the A9 but quickly reach The Heritage car park. If you’re lucky there will be a kiosk selling cakes, crisps, hot drinks and ice-creams (but no sandwiches or hot food).

Hug the River Braan for a beautiful walk along the river bank to the spectacular waterfalls and Ossian’s Hall at The Hermitage. This justly famous and exceedingly picturesque spot is good for lunch.

After visiting The Folly, (both doors will be open –  push hard) continue on up to Ossian’s Cave, but here leave the Green Braan path for the PALE PURPLE INVER route. After the beauty of the deciduous woods, this stretch along a LRT is less attractive but there are good views across the river to the hills beyond. The Inver Route winds down to the river where you should  ignore the path along a stream and under the road and railway, but turn right to emerge on a noisy, horrible bit along the A9. There is a very wide, safe, pavement, and the views up the river to Pitlochry are good. Fortunately, you soon reach the cycle track on your left which curves down and back under the bridge to continue on the other side of the river on the PALE GREEN FIDLER’S path.

You now have an easy walk along the River Tay, initially above the river, but just beside it as you begin to get nearer to Dunkeld. The last stretch is lovely as the cathedral comes into view. Keep to the river until you are guided past the cathedral (now on your right) to turn suddenly sharp right. Now you walk along the far side of the cathedral, go through the Heritage Scotland entrance (free) to the front of the cathedral where you’ll want to stop to take photographs and explore a little.  Then  turn left through the main gates and into the little town. If you don’t know Dunkeld, the white-washed houses, Mercat Cross and triangle are exceedingly picturesque. At the main road,  turn right to cross the magnificent Thomas Telford bridge.

Once across the bridge  continue for a couple of hundred yards to Little Dunkeld. A sign-post points left across a grassy triangle to the road to Birnam and you follow this to the Birnam and Dunkeld Hotel.

Now take the Orange Inchewan Burn path, opposite the Hotel and on the right of the Beatrix Potter Garden and the left of the Inchewan Burn. This brings you back to the steps going up to the platform and the train for Glasgow.

The West Highland Way: Crianlarich to Ardlui

This is a straight-forward walk along the West Highland Way from Crianlarich to Ardlui. For aficionados of the WHW, it’s good to be looking in the opposite direction for once, since most people walk towards Crianlarich. Your views will be down the Falloch Glen towards Ben and Loch Lomond.  And although you won’t think this at the time, apart from the climb up through the woodlands at the start, you are gently going downhill all the way!!!

If you are eating at The Ardlui Hotel afterwards, you will probably get permission to park at the car park on the left-hand side of the A82 at Ardlui Hotel NOT in the hotel car park. To get there, take the A82, Great Western Road, as usual, (Boulevard, Dumbarton, up Loch Lomondside). Make sure that you follow the A82 round to the right at Tarbet, rather than going straight on up the A83. Along this often twisting narrow road, note Ardlui Station on your left, the marina on your right, Ardlui Hotel on your right and a large layby on the left. If this is full, there is a large car park next left. Both of these areas belong to the Hotel and are not for public use.  There is a shop opposite the layby selling sandwiches and drinks etc. There are excellent toilets at Firkin Point and Tarbet and you would be best to use these. There are toilets on the train but you only have one stop! There are toilets at Crianlarich but they are slightly off your route.

Arrochar G83, UK

Begin by walking back down the road from the car park at Ardlui towards the station. There is an excellent off-road path for walkers although crossing to the station is awkward. The journey lasts 16 minutes and you get out at Crianlarich. A set of steps leads directly on to the road and the WHW is signposted to the left. You begin with a climb up on to the path since the WHW officially by-passes Crianlarich. Take this very gently: the path is good and there are no steep climbs but it does go on a bit. At the top, take the WHW towards Glasgow (NOT Tyndrum!). Then follows an idyllic seven miles on an excellent track looking up at Ben More, across to the Old Caledonian Forest and down the Falloch Glen. At one point there is a sharp turn to the left, taking you steeply down to an underpass underneath the A72. There follows some really pretty bits along the river although you hear rather than see the Falls. Derrydoch Bridge is delightful! The path is universally good underfoot, varied but busy. Simply follow all the WHW signs.

At Beinglass you might want to stop for a drink, ice-cream whatever, along with about 3,946 others!!!! If you want to leave here, you could take the bus. The bus is either No. 914/915/916 and runs from the Drover’s Inn to Ardlui Hotel (about 5 minutes) at 14.40 15.40; and 16.40.

Otherwise you plough on for another two miles, making 9 miles in total. The last two miles are quite tough!

At the ferry at Ardleish, the fun begins!!! You need to hoist the orange buoy! The sail across Loch Lomond is lovely! The fare is currently £4 per person. Remember to lower the buoy before you cross. You arrive back at the Ardlui Hotel.

The Three Lochs Way above Garelochhead

Again, this is the simplest of walks beginning and ending at a (very large) car-park. The full length is about 9 miles but those not going over Tom Buidhe can turn back whenever they feel like it and make for the Hotspots of Helensburgh. It will be obvious from the drive to the starting point that the car does all the hard work on this walk, although ‘The Yankee Road’ which you follow there and back, undulates a bit. If you ignore Faslane below the car park and the Military area on your right, the great advantage of this walk is the (hopefully) wonderful views of Gare Loch, Loch Long and Loch Goil and the even more spectacular views of the Arrochar Alps: Ben Ime, Ben Narnain and Ben Arthur (The Cobbler). There are lots more knobbly bits like Caisteal Dubh and Beinne Raithe. Never mind the names, the overall views are lovely and with easy walking you can actually look at them! The surface is too good at the beginning (metalled), and very good throughout. This is yet another section of Three Lochs Way!

Your turning point is the iconic wooden hut where the men slept who built the “Gurkha Bato”, a road constructed in 2009 by the men of 70 Gurkha Field Support Squadron to provide a route across the dangerously boggy ground just south of the railway underbridge. The new bridge across the Glen Mallan Burn bears a small plaque in memory of Dave Markland who did the early project management work on the “Gurkha Bato”, Sadly, Dave lost his life in Afghanistan not long after.

Park in the ample space on the ‘Yankee Road’ over-looking Gare Loch

For once these notes start by suggesting how NOT to go! If you set your Sat-Nav for Garelochhead it will, quite rightly, take you up Loch Lomondside, ignore the A818 to Helensburgh, but take you on to Shemore to the A817. This new road, built by the Americans when enlarging Coulport, is more direct, more beautiful and lands you right at the start of the walk. Unfortunately it also by-passes two sets of toilets which, since there are no toilets on arrival, are pretty necessary!

So, don’t use your Satnav but take the A82, (Great Western Road) as usual, (Boulevard, Dumbarton, up Loch Lomondside). Beyond the huge roundabout with the flying geese (or whatever?)  at Balloch, continue on up past the Duck Bay Marina and then at the next roundabout, at Arden, turn left on the A818. This good road takes you to a roundabout where you turn left continuing on the A818. You’ll come into Helensburgh, go straight down the hill, across the A814 (the Shore Road) and into the huge pier car-park. Turn right in the car-park to go in front of the Swimming Pool. The toilets are very obvious in front of you, just where you’ll exit back on to the A814.

Exit from the car-park on to the A814 and turn left along the front in Helensburgh. Continue through Shandon etc. to Rhu where there is another toilet block on the seaward side and a small bus bay where you can park. The continue past the Peace Camp on your right and Faslane on your left.

At the roundabout with the High Security entrance to the Naval Base on your left, and Garelochhead and Kilcreggan straight on, DON’T go into Garelochhead. Instead take the third exit on your right, signposted to Arrochar.

At the next roundabout, ignore the road to Arrochar and Coulport on your left and take the right-hand road signposted Balloch with a huge brown Tourist Board sign pointing to Loch Lomond.

Drive up and up and up this road and when you see a sign on your left saying “Cross Roads’ and ‘Danger Military Vehicles Turning’ and a big exclamation mark, slow down and turn left along an open tarmac road. Ignore the first space, go through the gate (I think it’s a gate) and park along the left-hand side looking down on Garelochhead and Loch Long. This is probably the most beautiful car park we’ve ever parked in!

Helensburgh G84, UK

The walk

Simply set off along the metalled track, high above Loch Long and always looking towards the mountains. After about two miles, the tarmac ends at a gate and you’re on to much more pleasant walking, still easy, but with earth beneath your feet. At a pleasant junction, the main path goes straight on but those who would like to climb higher turn right here and go over the side of Tom Buidhe. There are good views from the top –including The Sleeping Warrior on Arran.)

On the way down, DON’T take the path to the right, signposted Arrochar along the Three Lochs Way. This is too far for one day. Instead, turn left and go down very steeply to the unmistakable ‘Gurko Bato’. If you have continued on the LRT, ignoring Tom Buidhe you may turn back here ; or you may go on a little to wave your red flannel petticoats at the trains which are just below you. You can get nearer to the trains where an alternative (and very-muddy-on-the-reccé-path) goes under the railway!