Levengrove Park and The Havoc Grasslands Walk.

                                                 ALL PHOTOS CLICK FULL SCREEN.

This was a walk taken in early June 2025. Unlike most of the Glasgow parks, which, due to council cash restrictions and maintainance cut backs you can easily see weeds, brambles and ferns growing up through the various park hedges and hard to reach places ( which once were immaculate and well cared for, around a decade ago) Levengrove Park in Dumbarton is still in great condition. So beautiful and otherworldly it reminds me of the 1970s paintings of Gage Taylor, Bill Martin and the other visionary artists of that time period who created hyper real worlds of fantastic complexity and fine detail (Like South Aquaria or The Road) photo books which I still have.

I love coming here for the often unusual plants in the flower beds, which change with the seasons

Black flag Iris. (I think.)

And the perfectly sculpted look of the place.

Balls of Allium.

It is like entering another world. One without potholes or endless cut backs to services.

It's a lovely park, made even better by running down a green slope to the River Clyde Estuary and a wide expanse of blue water.

In June covered in a lush deep carpet of buttercups and other wild flowers. With the rolling low hills of Renfrewshire and Inverclyde situated just across the water from the park.

Kilpatrick Hills and The Lang Craigs from Levengrove Park.

I might not get to Heaven, if it exists, but this will do me.

And in my minds eye I see... a focus. A fountain of youth... perhaps.

Apart from this lovely park you can also do a 2 to 3 hour walk downstream along the edge of the River Clyde Estuary towards the Havoc Grasslands, past Brucehill and Westcliff, where a road tunnel under the railway line (Havoc Road) means you can either walk back along the main Cardross Road through Dumbarton to the park or go a shorter distance inland from the shoreline path, returning via a more inland track a mere arrow shot from the coastal path, but offering different views. 

The coastal path walking in the direction of Cardross ( or Port Glasgow, visible across the water here, above.)

Havoc Grasslands. Another path slightly inland which takes you back to the park without going up into the urban sprawl of housing. A longer different walk from Levengrove Park is the path/cycle track up the left hand bank of the River Leven to Balloch where you can get a train back to either Glasgow or Dalreoch Station in Dumbarton if you left your car at the park. 

You can go as far up this coastal path as the sewage works where an obvious pedestrian trail gets you past the railway line on the western outskirts of Dumbarton ( Westcliff) then up through a wood to reach Cardross Road. Yet another route runs in the other direction, crossing the River Leven to gain access to Dumbarton Rock and castle then the shoreline path past it upriver to Dumbarton's right hand outskirts returning via Glasgow Road (A814)  All are good day or half day walks with plenty of interest.

Several caves near the Havoc Road exit. Formed when the sea level was much higher and at some future date may again experience waves crashing into them when the polar icecaps melt further.

A fit trail near Westcliff in Dumbarton. The route I picked this time.

This is why I love June. The 'cream season' of buttercups and daisies. Nature at its finest.

Dumbarton Rock. A view the Vikings (and ancient Rome) witnessed when the former lay siege to it. Ancient tribal seat of the Britons.

Royal purple.

Wild dog rose. The sweetest perfume out there. The scent of angels.

On the way back through the park I was lucky enough to spot a kayak group on the River Leven.

Sea kayaks. You can kayak down the River Leven but it's one I would recommend for more experienced kayakers as low tide rapids under Dumbarton's older stone bridge ( Bridge Street) means it's only accessible to cross safely at high tide and it's a short but dangerous river after heavy rainfall with turbulent currents, bends, and overhanging tree branches to look out for and avoid. Only to be attempted in calm conditions, like this, as it drains all of Loch Lomond after rainfall. Unless you are an expert kayaker and like wild, fast rivers. ( these are not fast river kayaks, good for distance work not sharp turns.)

A good ending to the walk.

And this is even better. If you only watch one video on here it should be this one. Five minutes of beautiful imagery and sounds. Art at its very best. What I always strive for in my posts as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ps62if38WQ&list=RD8ps62if38WQ&start_radio=1