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Glasgow and The River Clyde's' two new swing bridges: one linking Govan and Partick and the other between Renfrew and Yoker/Clydebank provides new walking potential. The Renfrew walk along the River Clyde then up the eastern bank of the White Cart Water has existed for decades and I've walked and cycled it many times in the past. It used to go up Meadowside Street then along Fishers Road past light engineering works and then it curved behind Renfrew Car Breakers giving it a semi rural yet industrial feel. I didn't mind that but it might have put lone females, some dog-walkers, and families off as it was isolated yet hemmed in by high walls, woodland, and fences some of the way.
Now this path feels more used as the new road and pedestrian bridge cuts out Meadowside Street and the high wall section and starts directly from this bridge, following the River Clyde downstream then the White Cart Water into Renfrew itself. At the old swing bridge....
.... this one here, above, beside Inchinnan Road, you can still follow the White Cart Water further upstream as far as Westway before the path ends and swings inland where you can enter Robertson Park via Craigielea Road. At the other side of Robertson Park, on Inchinnan Road, beside the Jet garage is a broad strip of land that is as good as another park that lets you avoid any traffic noise on this pleasant green strip.
This is it looking in one direction with the Jet Garage and Inchinnan Road on the right and North Lodge Road on the left. A large Salvation Army charity shop is in this trading estate beside the Normandy Hotel and it is worth a visit.
Same strip of land looking the other way towards the Blythswood Trading Estate, The Normandy Hotel and the New Road down to the swing bridge. This makes a good circuit for dog walkers, joggers or cyclists. On foot, at an easy pace, it's a couple of hours circular walk with several variations possible. You can also include an extension into Paisley following the west bank of the White Cart Water then a bus back from there... or walk upstream along the River Clyde from Renfrew to Braehead. Also a good walk in this area. A quiet back lane also exists between North Lodge Road and Meadowside Street which cuts out the busier parts of Renfrew. That's the walking potential in this district.
Here's the photos taken on the route. Path beside the River Clyde.
Looking across at Clydebank from the White Cart Water walkway.
There is also a sculpture trail along the White Cart Water. A bird of prey with a cormorant sitting on top. Having to dry their wings off after swimming underwater they love this high position, catching any breeze and also looking out for fish. Otters and seals have also been spotted here along with loads of bird life so this stretch is good for nature. Occasionally dolphins or harbour porpoise have been spotted as all three rivers here are tidal at this point. River Clyde, Black Cart, and White Cart. Of course you have to be fully aware of nature to see it move around you.
'The Observer.' Either a mirror or a smart phone. Stuff Nature. It's boring! Modern life as art. Inner world versus outer world.
A fruit bowl. Taking it right back to art basics with this image.
The tulips arrive in Renfrew Town Centre. Spring at last.
Assorted Spring Flowers.
Renfrew has some interesting period buildings. 100 year old public baths here... and still open in 2026.
Renfrew Town Centre.
Renfrew Town Hall with a lush tropical border consisting of tulips, daffodils, ferns and other head high foliage. Rather exotic for a northern town but delightful.
A lady lion. Two stone foot stools all that's left of the grand estate and house of Blythswood. This is where the golf course now stands.
History of Blythswood estate and house.
Cherry tree and gate.
Robertson Park Entrance Gate. Monkey Puzzle trees.
Park info signs.
One of several colourful murals in the park.
Flower border.
Tulip glory.
Tulip and fly.
Ra and Isis.
Plenty to see on this walk. Clydebank Boatyard and Cargo Ship.
Also on the Glasgow airport flight path. ( Which is actually in Renfrew/Paisley but only 10 to 15 minutes public transport travel from Glasgow City Centre.
Airbus A400M Atlas Cargo Plane. Military use.
Same plane descending to land. Also ships coming up the river occasionally so bags of interest here.
A walk the other way past the old Renfrew Ferry ( now sadly no longer active) upstream on the River Clyde walkway to Braehead Shopping centre.
They built airships at Renfrew/ Inchinnan during the early 1900s with the R 34 crossing the Atlantic Ocean twice and the first airborne stowaways. A man and a cat. This is in Clydeview Park near Braehead.
Airship Info. The age of airships is a largely forgotten and discredited age now but at one time, 1900 to 1930s, it was tipped to be the future of air travel- before the flight disasters and conventional aeroplane advancement. If I had to pick my top 100 films of all time three games, (but watched online as films,) would make the list. The Last of Us. (The first one.) Beautiful, poetic, funny, heart-breaking. A stunning road trip across a crumbling failed USA during all 4 seasons. They made a film version- The Road. (2009.) which was more of a grim reality theme. Grey and depressing throughout. I didn't like it. The Last of Us ( 2013.) is much better and the first time I thought 'This could easily take over from films.' And it was good. A road trip masterpiece.
The other game I watched as a film, also released in 2013, was Bioshock Infinite. Amazing back story. The entire history of the USA for a start... including a floating airship city in the clouds based on the Chicago World's Fair when they rebuilt that entire city centre district within a few short years. No expense spared to transform it..... The 'Girl in the Tower waiting to be rescued' plot... but also a Gone with the Wind epic sweeping quality painted in big bold brush strokes but it works. A world as intricately detailed as The Lord of the Rings... or any other book classic.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World%27s_Columbian_Exposition.
Suddenly a floating city state stolen/captured by an evil old nutter doesn't seem that far fetched anymore. Add in the golden age of old Hollywood, a ruthless over the top police state, steam punk machines everywhere, blatant racism, and tyrant billionaires out of control ruling the masses.... and it seems right on the money. Could very easily be 2026. As predicted in 2013.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQNoSnTT2ec&list=RDLQNoSnTT2ec&start_radio=1
