Photographs, route description and map of a circular walk starting and finishing in the village of Balfron with views of the Campsie Fells and Fintry Hills and along the banks of the Endrick Water

This walk is circular stroll of about four miles and two hours around the attractive historical village of Balfron.
To get there by car, take the Strathblane Road, A81, from Milngavie to the Glengoyne Distillery, then the A875 through Killearn and on to Balfron.
There is also a bus service direct to Balfron from Glasgow that passes through Milngavie. Suitable car parking in Balfron is available beside the Co-operative building at the top of Buchanan Street.
On leaving the car park onto Buchanan Street, pause and look downhill to admire the impressive view which extends beyond the village to the Campsie Fells and Dumgoyne.
The walk then takes the opposite direction and turns left to pass the shops and the Bank of Scotland on the right.
It rounds a bend on the road to The Clachan — the original centre of the village — where the focal point is the Clachan Oak, claimed to be a resting place in the shade for both William Wallace and Rob Roy.
Also of historical interest at the corner of the road is Clachan House dated 1776. The long white building, Orchardlands, to the right was once the village school. Behind the tower shaped war memorial commemorating two world wars is the 1832 stone built parish church in its kirkyard.
The road on the right beyond the church is a parking entrance for the church, golf club and football ground. The walk continues by turning sharp right before the church into Spoker's Loan, one of the street names in Balfron denoting its association with the cotton mills. It passes by the gate on the left to Donaldson Park, a children‘s play area, turns left into Cotton Street, then sharp right into Roman Road to pass Balfron School Campus. On nearing the end of the village, ( take care no pavement ) the Campsie Fells once again come into view on the right and at the fork junction with Dunmore Street an option route is available.
Continuing straight ahead passes the fortiﬁed motte on the left and turning right onto the public path before the White Yett Lodge, signed Bowling Club via Glen is a pleasant wood walk which goes downhill initially and crosses over a bum alongside the Endrick Water.
However after passing through the next signed Public Path gate on the right, the path becomes muddy which is a pity as it can spoil the walk.
It eventually enters a ﬁeld and emerges at the side of the Scottish Water plant and the bowling club at the bottom of Buchanan Street.
It is considered best to take this route when theweather is a bit dryer or with very good stout walking boots on as it can be slippery.
The alternative route is to turn into Dunmore Street at the fork junction. It is an interesting road to walk along with a row of old fashioned houses on the right. The views on the left over the site of Robert Dunmore’s Ballindalloch Cotton works to the Endrick Water and the Campsie Fells on a clear day afford some truly beautiful views.
Halfway along the street stands Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson‘s Old South Manse and at the end before rejoining Buchanan Street is the John McLintock Hall. Both men remembered as having contributed to the wellbeing of the village in their time.
The circular walk is complete with the climb up Buchanan Street to the car park passing the Library and Police Station on the way.

Bearsden & District

Balfron Circuit

Endrick Water Gallery :: Balfron Gallery :: Campsie Fells

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