Location|:
Houston and Bridge of Weir
Map: OS Landranger 63,64 ( NS408664 )
Distance: 7.5miles ( 12km )
Time: 3hours 50 minutes
Terrain: roads and paths The River Gryfe lies at the heart of this
ramble between the villages of Houston and Bridge of Weir in
Renfrewshire. Start from the car park opposite Houston Cemetery off the
B790 on the south side of the village. Follow the tarmac path under the
B190 via the underpass, then right and up through housing. Continue
through Houston Public Park to Bogstonhlll Road and on past South
Street and the post office to North Street.
Go right then right again, down Kirk Road past Houston House and
Houston and Killellan Kirk and round the eastern side of Bogston hill
to a T-junction. Cross over and down Quarry Brae to Neult Brae,
then rightwards to a bus stop on the B790. Cross over and left beside
the main road to pass over Leeburn Avenue and Gardens, beyond which the
path swings into woodland beside the River Gryfe.
Just past where the path exits to open grassland, turn right over the
footbridge across the Gryfe, then left at thejunction to a gravel path
which leads past large pine trees to a stone pillar and signboard.
On the left above the river are the spreading branches of the
600-year-old Craigends Yew ( the centre of the tree is dying but the
fallen branches have rooted and live on ).
Retrace your steps to the footbridge junction and go left on a path
behind houses. Turn right almost immediately on to an earth path
through woodland, before ascending to the path behind the houses, then
descending to a tarmac path and footbridge.
Cross over to Crosslee Park and Houston Road beyond and follow that
left to Whirlie Road opposite the River Inn. Ascend past Crosslee Park
to a car park and path signed for River Gryfe and Bridge of Weir.
Paths lead above or beside the river to a signpost pointing back into
woodland beside the Crosslee Lade.
Continue past a signpost right to Houston via a bridge over the lade
and on to new flats on the edge of Bridge of Weir. Continue below the
flats to a footbridge with green railings on the left. Don't cross over
but turn right then left and ascend beside the river to a road which is
followed up and left to Main Street. Follow Main Street left over the
river and past shops to a Bridge of Weir walks sign pointing left down
Mill Brae. Descend this to the green railing footbridge, cross over to
the flats and follow the outward route back to the Houston signpost on
Crosslee Lade. Turn left over the lade and past Goldenlee Farm to the
B790. Cross straight over to the Old Bridge of Weir Road ( great
care needed ), then cross that and follow the pavement into Houston to
the roundabout. Turn right past St Fillan's Church and Primary, then
left to the underpass leading back to Houston Cemetery.
:: Clyde River
Walkway 
