Glasgow Visitor Guide - Colin Baxter Glasgow Insight Pocket Guide

 Bearsden & Glasgow

Kelvin River Walkway

Dawsholm Park
UK Trails Lonely Planet, Walking in Scotland


Photographs of the Kelvin River Walkway

 in Glasgow from Maryhill Park

 through Dawsholm Park

 to the Aqueduct of the Forth & Clyde Canal

 in Maryhill

Sign for Kelvin River Walkway at Maryhill Park

Sign for Kelvin River Walkway at Maryhill Park

 


Route Map of Kelvin River Walkway

Route Map of Kelvin River Walkway

 
The Kelvin Walkway connects Milngavie with the Glasgow Heliport

 on the north bank of the 
River Clyde.

 The walkway follows the Allander Water for 2 miles ( 3km )

 southeast from Milngavie
 to join the River Kelvin.

 The route then turns southwest leaving the Kelvin

 to head south through Summerston

 ( - see map below - there are no signposts! )

 The walkway rejoins the river on the outskirts of Maryhill

and continues south through Kelvinside,

 Botanic Gardens, Kelvingrove Park and Yorkhill

to reach the River Clyde.

A total distance of  some 9 miles ( 14.5km ) is covered.



Route Map of Kelvin River Walkway


 


Campsie Fells from Maryhill Park

Campsie Fells from Maryhill Park

 


Sign at Entrance to Dawsholm Park

Sign in Dawsholm Park

Dawsholm Park consists mainly of policy and plantation woodland

 and is important for the typical woodland bird species this habitat supports.

 Grassland to the south is grazed by highland cattle to encourage wild flowers

 and a pond is home to waterbirds.

The northern boundary is the River Kelvin where Kingfishers can be seen.

 Roe Deer, Red Fox and Grey Squirrel are regularly seen

 and over 30 species of bird and ten of butterfly have been recorded.






Kilpatrick Hills from Dawsholm Park






River Clyde from Dawsholm Park






Tower block at Anniesland from Dawsholm Park

Tower block at Anniesland

 
from Dawsholm Park




Gas Works at Anniesland from Dawsholm Park

Gas Works at Anniesland

from Dawsholm Park







Highland Cattle in Dawsholm Park






River Kelvin in Dawsholm Park

River Kelvin in Dawsholm Park




Kelvin River in Dawsholm Park

Kelvin River in Dawsholm Park






Location Map for Dawsholm Park

Location Map for Dawsholm Park





Bridge over Kelvin River at exit from Dawsholm Park to Kelvin Walkway

Bridge over Kelvin River

at exit from Dawsholm Park

to Kelvin Walkway





Bridge over Kelvin River in Garscube Estate

Bridge over Kelvin River Walkway






River Kelvin from Towpath on Forth & Clyde Canal

River Kelvin in Maryhill

 from the
Kelvin River Aqueduct

of the Forth & Clyde Canal




Route Description for Kelvin River Walk

Grade: Easy river and canal walk
Distance: 4 miles/ 6.5km
Time: 2—3 hours


The Kelvin Walkway, a path in the middle of Glasgow, a trail which runs almost from the river’s source in the Campsie Fells to its confluence with the Clyde. The path is very well used by walkers, cyclists and lots of dogs, which all adds to the fun.
After recrossing the river you pass the remains of a flint mill, a reminder that the river was once busy with industry.
It became very polluted as a
result but in recent years an energetic support group, Friends of the River Kelvin ( FoRK ) have done great work in helping to clean the river up. FoRK have also put up interesting information boards along the route.
After passing a weir the path goes under Queen Margaret Drive. A branch leads left, up to the Botanic Gardens, but stay by the river.
Helpful signs
give you the walking time to Maryhill Locks.
You pass under several soaring sandstone bridges, with the bustle of the West End high above.
Down below
it is quieter, with plenty of shade from the trees.
Kirklee Bridge has a plaque
dated 1900. It is typical of its period, with graceful arches and polished marble pillars.
The path then climbs away from the river into the open, with high flats to the right.
At the end of the tower
blocks, keep left, cross Kelvindale Road and continue ahead.
At the next
fork go back down to the riverside.
At the Kelvin Aqueduct turn right ( signed to Forth and Clyde Canal ).
Climb the zigzag path and emerge at the foot of the Maryhill Locks.
This flight of five locks has been fully restored as part of the Millennium project to reopen the canal.
You may
be lucky enough to see a boat locking through. It's a fascinating process, but hard work.
The locks, and the aqueduct over the river, were designed by Robert Whitworth and opened in 1790.
The
aqueduct is 122 metres long and is 23 metres above the river. The locks are considered to be among the finest of their kind in Britain.
At the top of the locks, keep on the canal towpath and follow it round to cross high above Maryhill Road.
Looking back you get a great view of the Campsies. Swans may be seen here - and in spring, their cygnets too.
Before long you reach Stockingfield Iunction. The main canal swings left here, heading for the Falkirk Wheel 35km away, but keep ahead, on the Port Dundas Branch. On the right is Ruchill Parish Church.
If you are
lucky, the church hall ( one of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s lesser-known gems, but worth a look ) might be open for tea.
Ruchill was originally called
Roughill and on what is now Smeaton Street there was a mansion house.
Continue with the canal, which for a time is next to a busy road. In general however it is surprisingly quiet.
The next landmark is Firhill,
home of Partick Thistle FC, known as the Jags.
Not far from here is Queen’s
Cross Church. This is Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s only completed church design and is quite beautiful.
The
church is dedicated to St Matthew, but nowadays is as much a shrine to CRM and his magnificent designs.
Before long the apartments and boats moored at Speirs Wharf come into view. A community has sprung
up here, some no doubt attracted bythe unusual possibility of living on a boat in the middle of a city.
 The main
apartment building was once a mill. The area is named after Archibald Speirs, who was chairman of the canal committee at the time it was opened. He would, no doubt, be more than pleased to see the area thriving as it is today  — and he would recognise the old Canal House which still stands, marking the end of the waterway and of the walk.


ROUTE PLANNER


Map: OS 1:25.000 Explorer map 342
(Glasgow).
Distance: 4 miles / 6.5km
Time: 2-3 hours
Start: Kelvin Bridge subway station ( GR: NS 573669 ). Finish: Speirs Wharf ( GB: NS 586664 ).
Public transport: Subway or buses from Glasgow city centre to Kelvin Bridge.
Twenty minute walk from Speirs Wharf to main bus and train stations.
Information: Glasgow iCentre, 0141 566 4083.

Route: Turn right out of subway station and cross river to pick up Kelvin Walkway signs.
Follow main path, recrossing the
river.
After Kirklees Bridge path rises to
cross open area then drops to cross a road.
At fork go left, down to the river
again.
Just before canal aqueduct turn R
up zig-zag path to the foot of Maryhill Locks.
Walk up beside the locks and
follow the canal path all the way to Speirs Wharf.




Map of River Kelvin Walk

Map of River Kelvin Walk




Allander - Kelvin Walkway Gallery Photo Gallery :: Bearsden Gallery Photo Gallery

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Glasgow Visitor Guide - Colin Baxter Itchy Insider's Guide to Glasgow Glasgow Footprint Pocket Guide Glasgow Insight Pocket Guide Glasgow Guide Pub Companion Glasgow Scotland's Highlands & Islands - Rough Guide Scotland - Rough Guide

Glasgow Insight Pocket GuideCollins Street Map of GlasgowGlasgow: Then & NowThey belonged to Glasgow Phillips Street Atlas of Glasgow & West Central Scotland Glasgow: The Photographic Atlas100 Hillwalks around Glasgow 50 Walks in Glasgow & SW Scotland

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