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

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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. 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 adjeacent Wee Park. (Found beside the golf course beside Clarion Road. ) A 3 to 4 hour walk at easy pace.

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

A great day out on 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 though 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

A Glasgow Green Circular Walk.

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Greetings from the UK's 3rd most populous city. Glasgow. (Wiki info 2026.) Colourful streamers in a lane at Barclays Bank Complex. Alan and I met here as we arrived by bus from different areas where we lived. Alan mentioned on a previous walk that he'd never been along the south bank/ Adelphi Street side of the River Clyde in the Gorbals/ Hutchestontown districts and I hadn't walked there either for several years so that was our pick as we were both looking for new walks to entertain us. Given the high price of vehicle fuel and food at the moment travelling a long distance for walks when we don't have to seems sensible as neither of us has fat wallets/ spare cash to splash around at the present time. Most of the walks posted on here nowadays in the last few years are around 3 hours long at an easy pace. No 8 to 10 hour epic walking days anymore. Thankfully.

We passed by Glasgow Central Mosque built in 1984. I've been in it in the 1990s for a doors open day or some other event like that.

We then passed the City of Glasgow Nautical College and Training Centre....

Including this lifeboat launcher to practice on which shoots you into the river to bob about and learn rescue techniques. Might save the crew but it is not speedy once launched.

Old Glasgow bridges and spires.

Once you get to Glasgow Green, Glasgow's oldest park, where public hangings, city fairs, and public washing lines once stood, it's very green and lush. 

Semi green and lush on our side of the river with the hi rise flats of Hutchesontown  dominating the view here.

The last time I passed here I don't think I noticed the murals on these whisky storage tanks. Maybe I did but didn't feature them then. I didn't recognize any of the three faces however so thank you again AI. The nearest is Tom McGuire of funk/soul band Tom McGuire and the Brassholes painted by Michael Corr. Middle is Margaret MacDonald ( late 1800s/early 1900s 'Glasgow Style' Artist.) painted by Molly Hankinson. 

Third I thought might just be Ally McCoist with a beard ( probably the blue jacket made me go in that direction) but turned out to be Mark Coyle by Rougeoner. All folk from or living in Glasgow. As I was asking AI various questions I also asked it " If humanity messes up the world can AI save it- the climate, wildlife, and planet Earth? "  Boo Hoo! I was disappointed.  It gave a very honest and interesting answer. Not a glib politician answer.Try it yourself.

Looking back at the city centre from the blue suspension bridge into Glasgow Green.

Blue suspension bridge into the park. Built 1885.

Which took us out at the parsonage house.

They have a collection of boats nearby for saving life on the river/ body recovery.

After a walk around this large park we headed up to the former Templeton's Carpet factory, William Leiper the architect, inspired by the Doge's Palace in Venice. Multi coloured tiles inspired by the carpets made within. Now a small business centre/ enterprise type of thing.

Next to it stands the Doulton Fountain, built 1888 and still the largest terracotta fountain in the world. It is very impressive. Queen Victoria on the top with the countries/ nations of the Commonwealth depicted below. Canada, Australia, India, etc....

India detail.

Glasgow's coat of arms on the Doulton Fountain. A dry fountain now.

The 3rd big attraction in Glasgow Green used to be the People's Palace ( a vibrant museum about Glasgow history and life) and the attached Winter Gardens, ( hothouse trees/plants and a popular cafe under heated glass) both seen here, above, but they have been closed for years. I did read a funding grant had been raised so hopefully both will reopen again at some point. Many UK cities are strapped for cash in recent years. It is a changed world. Public services we once took for granted across the city either closed/disappeared or cut well past the bone. Local banks, libraries, free swimming pools, winter gardens, frequent park maintenance, etc.

On a gable wall directly behind the former Templeton's carpet factory is this mural of St Thenue ( also known as St Enoch and St Thenaw?) Mother of St Mungo. An ancient princess she was thrown off a cliff ( Traprain Law) by King Lot ( her father) after she got pregnant without his blessing ( where Lothian gets its name from) but survived and fled across the Firth of Forth guided by friendly fish. ( it is a half legend after all.) St Mungo patron saint of Glasgow was the result. I like to play around with the famous lines. 'The fish that could not fly. The bird that could not swim. The tree that never flew. The bell that never grew.' Which one is the odd one out/ true statement?

After that we ended up around the Barras Market for some further murals.

Silver Linings by Soleveins and Shaun Devenney. While the world burns around him at least he's still got a strong signal on his smart phone.... so he is happy.

Goose. Cabin Bar.

 Birds and flowers. Also Cabin Bar. Barras District. Both by Nikki K. and Little book transfers.

Clay pipe factory. Built late 1870s, B listed. Barras Market. The pipes were made from clay sourced locally- dug out from the river bank and other locations nearby. Old ones from that time period are still found occasionally in Glasgow in the earth/excavations. They were cheap, easily broken, and often mislaid, stood or sat on, or just tossed away for a new replacement... and made in the thousands back then. People smoked, chimneys smoked, even ships and road traffic had coal driven engines sometimes so I'd imagine the risk of fire was fairly high.

 Glasgow Cross. The  oldest part of Glasgow and the heart of the old city when it was just a dozen streets in total starting here at the High Street..

The Social Hub. A brand new hotel in grey with the much older building in white. Glasgow Cross/ Argyle Street. Where we got a bus home to our respective districts.

And a real treat. Glasgow/gorbals rock legends from the early 1970s. They were unique at the time and formed before USA band Kiss. Part musical theatre part edgy rock act. All styles of music covered with ease. Separate from Glam Rock but predated Punk. Nothing else like them- before or since.

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8tyc9a 

  

Edinburgh Autumn. An Interesting Walk Round Edinburgh Castle.

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On one of my bus trips to Edinburgh in the autumn of 2025 I still had a few hours before my evening bus back to Glasgow so I thought I would do the 1 to 2 hour walk around Edinburgh Castle again. This is it....Start at West End of Princes Street Gardens- Walk through gardens to Scott Monument. Either up the Mound or Waverley To Cockburn Street, Royal Mile- Castle Esplanade ( entrance gates) Down Granny's Green Steps ( you can avoid these or reverse the entire route to climb them) Grassmarket-Johnstone Terrace- Kings Stables Road- West End again at the Parish Church of St Cuthbert. Or you can reverse this route.

As I've been in the castle before  (around £20 each roughly in 2026) I did not go in but you can. For myself the walk around the castle is equally impressive as you can add or subtract sections to suit. A lot of history is contained in this short walk and this time I found added information ( thanks to AI.)

Beloved by young children, (and parents) this Andy Scott Sculpture is found along the main path through West Princes Street Gardens. Young kids just love this baby elephant without knowing what its for. It gets plenty of hugs.

Also found in West Princes Street Gardens is the Ross Fountain. An elaborate high confection of water nymphs/ mermaids and other creatures that is well worth a detailed look.

A close up here. Middle level.

The bottom pool.

Fisher's Close on the Royal Mile. Between zooming up and down Calton Hill via Jacob's Ladder and the numerous narrow passageways running off the Royal Mile at right angles you can clock up close to 3000 foot for the adventurous. This keeps you fit and saves you money as well as being great fun. Some of the tenement buildings here go up 14 floors or more as Mary King's Close (£ 25 to £35 each in 2026) is found underneath this lot halfway up the Royal Mile. Worth a visit to see this ancient underground buried oddity ( an entire subterranean street layout) but between that and the Castle Entry its around £40-£50 each single person for the two attractions combined whereas this entire walk is free and just as exciting. It was about £10 or £12 when I wandered through Mary King's Close many years ago and no need then to book in advance for any attraction in Scotland. That's modern life for you.

West Bow/ Cockburn Street. A narrow passageway between levels around the orange building on the left takes you up to the Royal Mile via a sneaky rising shortcut. The Wizard of West Bow used to live around here in the 1600s- yet another potential inspiration for Edinburgh writer Robert Louis Stevenson and his famous Jekyll and Hyde book. . https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Weir. Worth a read. You couldn't make it up :o) Dementia or some other mental illness perhaps? They were both elderly for that time period..

Granny's Green Steps lead down from the Castle. ( hard to get this empty of people on a sunny afternoon. I would still be waiting to take it if I did.)

The Grassmarket which leads to King's Stables Road then back to the West End.

On a previous visit to Edinburgh and The Parish Church of St Cuthbert, seen here, I found out I only had 20 minutes before it closed so it was a rushed free visit inside. It has a long history though. I didn't have time for the surrounding grounds on that occasion.

As you can see here. A long history.

Crime writer Agatha Christie was married here apparently.

Wandering around the church grounds I also spotted these Physalis plants. I've tasted the orange fruit inside at wedding banquets and enjoyed them so I knew they originally came from Peru.

St Cuthbert's Church interior view.

Nearby was an exotic lily I hadn't seen before, also from Peru. Intrigued by this I looked it up to find out the connection. Thomas De Quincey. I've still got a couple of his books in my collection since the 1970s as he lived beside the English Lake District poets and wrote about them but I had no idea he also lived in Edinburgh and Glasgow, dying in this place. He also wrote a book about a nun who escaped dressed as a man and had numerous adventures all over Peru and South America. A true tale. Thomas de Qunicey also had a remarkable life but not a very enviable one. A link here. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_De_Quincey 

 One of the great pleasures in modern life is coming across interesting or unusual characters/ history facts and thanks to AI and wiki that is now possible ( on this occasion at least) if you have a hunch, like seeing the two Peru flowers and wondering why they were planted there. Everybody likes to be an amateur detective now and again.

Also in St Cuthbert's grounds was this guy. Bum. A three legged dog from San Diego, every bit as amazing as Edinburgh's Greyfriars Bobby, yet I'd never  heard of him until now.

Edinburgh is twinned with San Diego and the dogs are as well. Which is apt as this dog had an incredible life and survival story.   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bum_(dog)  

No apologies for these three links in one post as each one is remarkable in its own way. A short walk but completely filled with fascinating history. A short post as it is the three links here that are important. Each well worth reading. Each unique and very different.