The Falls of Clyde and the UNESCO World Heritage village of New Lanark are a much loved tourist desnaon and have been visited by the walking group many mes over the past 40 years.

The walk, of about 7 miles, starts in the village of New Lanark. The village comprises, amongst other things, a Visitor Centre with Café (Mill 3), The Mechanic’s Workshop, and Robert Owen’s School. Mill 1 was renovated from its dilapidated state in the 1990s and is now the New Lanark Mill Hotel. The walk passes up and down the River Clyde, and includes Corehouse, Bonnington Linn, and Dundaff Linn.

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 3^rd 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 3^rd 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)

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.

This year we return to the popular town of Troon for a coastal and inland walk of about 6 miles. Enjoy the bracing air of the seafront and the sheltered ambience of the local golf courses.

The walk will be followed by our annual Festive Lunch, this year being held at the Piersland House Hotel.

Glasgow Meeting Point:

Please meet at 0900 at Cresswell Street. For those requiring a lift, please ensure you request one when registering for the walk. Lifts will only be available where drivers are able to offer them.

Starting Point for the Walk:

Please meet at 1000 at Piersland House, Troon – OS Reference NS 330 298 (see map>). There should be adequate parking available but if there is a wedding on that day, park on the seafront at the South Beach Esplanade Car Park at the end of Craigend Road.

Getting there: 34 miles / 43 minutes

Take your favourite route out of Glasgow onto the M8 (Greenock). Exit onto the M77 (Kilmarnock) and continue down to the Dutch House Roundabout. Take the 3 rd exit onto the A78 (Irvine/Prestwick). At the next roundabout keep to the inside lane and take the 2 nd exit onto the A79 (Prestwick). Immediately on exiting the roundabout move to the righthand lane and turn right onto the B749 (Troon). Follow this down towards the sea. The Piersland House is on the right opposite the golf course.

The Walk:

Troon Seashore Loop – 6.25 miles (10 km) – Flat

Starting at the Piersland House, walk down to the South Beach Esplanade Car Park and head north along the promenade towards the centre of Troon. At Port Ronnald, turn right into Wood Road and continue into Templehill. Just before the Queens View Harbour Care Home, turn left on a path for a short distance and then turn right onto Port Ranald Drive. Continue past Morrisons into North Shore Road (B746) keeping to the seaward side of the road. The path veers away from the road for a pleasant walk northwards towards Barassie. There are toilets available on this section.

When the North Shore Road swings right into Kilmarnock Road, cross the busy road with care keeping to the south side of the Kilmarnock Road. The path gently ascends to cross the railway after which descend the steps and turn left to join the cycle path. After a short distance turn right and take the path through the woodland to emerge at the rear of an housing estate on the left and a golf course on the right. Continue on this path until Muirhead Primary School and turn right over a small bridge across the Darley Burn. After crossing the bridge, take the path to the left which passes Marr College on the right and their playing fields on the left. Exit the playing fields and turn right onto a short path that parrallells Dundonald Road.

At the crossing lights, cross the access road to the college, turn right towards the college and then left to pick up the old railway line (now a cycle track) which goes under the road and emerges at another golf course. Continue on this path, past the cemetery on the left, and turn briefly right and then left to continue on the cycle track. Follow this tree-lined cycle path until another bridge. Go under this bridge and turn left to follow a short access drive which joins Craigend Road (B749). Turn left, and follow the pathway back to the hotel which is on the righthand side.

After-walk Meal:

Arrangements have been made to be seated for lunch at 1345 at Piersland House, Troon. Those who have booked in advance will sit down for a Festive Lunch. The residual meal cost is £18.95 per person (for two courses, coffee, and mince pie). If you choose to have three courses, there is an additional cost of £7.00. Please pay for your own meal as usual, including any drinks. If you wish to add a tip for the staff, they would be most appreciative.