Duntocher to Bearsden... and Beyond. A Fringe Walk.

                                                   ALL PHOTOS CLICK FULL SCREEN.

Walking friend Alan and I jumped on a number 2 bus From Glasgow to Faifley on the north west outskirts of the UK's 3rd largest city. A good 'fringe' walk can be had here running from Duntocher ( Get off the no 2 just past the A82 large roundabout as it climbs the hill towards Faifley. Walk up the quiet and serene Cleddans Road and immediately find yourself surrounded by beautiful farmland scenery. With Clydebank and District Golf Course on one side....

Roadside verges bursting to life with colour and flying insects on the other. This is a walk we did in June 2026.

Six spotted burnet moth. A flying jewel as it is iridescent in flight and unmistakable. A winged ruby dancing and flashing over the wild green meadows.

A dung beetle with small dung ball. Paradise for them.

Sexton beetle arrives at an animal corpse. It buries said corpse, a mouse or something small sized then it plus the mites on its head help pump preservatives into the body to slow decomposition until its young can feed and leave... restarting the life cycle. Is not nature thrilling....

Feral Cat. It likes a crunchy treat now and again.

Flying snacks are a better challenge...and totally tasty. Worth the extra effort.

Still walking beside the golf course, deep in the countryside yet only few fields away from Glasgow's sprawling urban outskirts, in this case Drumchapel. The minor Cleddens Road is tarmac but only goes up to a farm or two and does not see many cars on it. A delight to walk.

Further up fields of horses are encountered.

On green fields that rise slowly up in gentle ridgelines until they soar dramatically to meet the steep wall of the Kilpatrick Hills in the distance. Seen above.

Remarkable considering Drumchapel is one of Glasgow's big four council townships, same as Pollok is, where I grew up yet the landscape here is intact, as it once was around Nitshill, instead of the way it looks now, (farms and fields replaced by new housing developments, more urban sprawl replacing abandoned field systems where sheep, cows, pigs and horses no longer wander. Yet here it is... unchanged.

You follow the lane straight on passing no farms until it turns into a dirt one. Keep going straight and follow path down then up, still skirting the northern edge of Drumcapel. (Editors note. 'Fellow walkers. A caution here.... Never go into Drunchapel!!!!!!!!! ' )

So it is straight on, (never go down to the right!!!) until you reach the main footpath through Garscadden Wood. Follow this, still skirting Drumchapel, on the Drumchapel Way/ Garscadden Way footpath until you reach this small dam at Stonedyke on the boundary with Bearsden...

Then Colquhorn Park. In Bearsden...

Then visit the park pond, almost buried under mid June vegetation. The 'cream season' for me.

Coot and youngster.

From here you have a choice. Coming by bus you are free to return differently. Route one : you can take the path down the Kinfauns Drive side of Drumchapel but safe in the trees, still a green walk, then cross Drumchapel Road and near Essenside Avenue to go under the railway via a short tunnel then across canal to reach Trinley Brae (a green balcony trail found below Mace Road in High Knightswood) then end with a walk through Knightswood Park and the adjacent Wee Park. (Found beside the golf course beside Clarion Road. ) A 3 to 4 hour walk at an easy pace... with a lunch stop halfway round.

Route two involves Rubislaw Drive past St Germains Loch to reach the woodland paths beside Ravelston Road in Bearsden which woods followed will bring you out either at Anniesland Cross ( bus and train hub) or walk further on through The West of Scotland Science Park, or Dawsholm Park then/or Maryhill Park. Ending on Maryhill Road. ( Bus and train hub. 3 to 5 hour walk.)

A great day out exploring the wild margins of the city.

Is where you often find the quietest, most unexpected places.

And a tasty meal for me when I returned. 

Anyone who has not heard of this young singer, violin street player and her equally talented parents and family is really missing out. I think they are both/all brilliant yet I'd run a mile away from Britain's got talent, X Factor type shows as I prefer zero judges antics and comments. Just the performers. I can make up my own mind if they are good... or not. Karolina Protsenko. Been a fan since believer came out. Found loads of new songs/tunes/ bands through her and Alex Goot music that I've never heard before. And this is one. A violin duet. 1000 years. Growing up in public with a gift /curse of real commercial talent/fame is never easy so I hope she is happy finding her own path and a newly independent life as a professional musician and singer/songwriter. She has the knowledge and ability to do well. Hopefully.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yYkwxMrZNY&list=RD0yYkwxMrZNY&start_radio=1