Photographs, route description and map of a circular walk from Blanefield via Pillar Craig to Carbeth

This walk takes us on an enjoyable three mile circular from the centre of Blanefield into Squirrel Wood.
The route takes you on an all weather public footpath / track onto a ridge on the southwest fringe of Blanefield from
where you have wonderful views across the valley to the Campsies and Dumgoyne.
To the north you will see on a clear day Ben Lomond and the Arrochar Alps, and in the far distance the tops of
the Trossachs mountains. It is an easy walk apart from a steep descent through Squirrel Wood which can he slippery in wet weather.
If you are travelling by car from Milngavie, take the A81 to Strathblane / Blanefield; 100 yards past the Kirkhouse Inn turn left into Kirkburn Road and drive to its end. At the T junction, turn right into Dumbrock Road and park.
The starting point for the walk is the public footpath on the left near the end of the road with the sign Milngavie Road via Milngavie Glen. If you are travelling by public transport take the No 10 bus from Milngavie to Balfron. Get off opposite the Kirkhouse Inn and walk a few yards before turning down Kirkburn Road. Follow the directions above to the starting point.
The public footpath skirts a housing estate on the left and rises gradually to The Stables and a converted Old Mill. Just beyond the Old Mill you turn right and follow a stony surfaced track that follows the ridge along the west side of Strathblane ( the valley of the Blane Water ).
From here you can marvel at the views to the east, across the valley to the Campsie Fells and Dumgoyne and its little sister, Dumfoyne. To the north on a clear day you can see Ben Lomond and the Arrochar Alps and far beyond - the mountains of the Trossachs.
Halfway along this mile long ridge walk you pass the Gowk Stane on the right hand side of the track. Perhaps it gets its name from the belief in former times that if you slid down its west side your wishes would be granted. Perhaps the sceptical felt that if anyone believed that they must be a gowk ( fool ).
At the end of this fairly straight stretch you reach Boards Farm. The track continues to Mugdock Park, but our route follows the signpost pointing right to Braehead.
The narrow path descends through Squirrel Wood, although Ordnance Survey maps call it Cuilt Brae. Be careful when it is wet as the steep stony path can be slippery. The path emerges onto the B821. Braehead Cottage is slightly uphill on the opposite side of the road.
Turn right and descend the winding road southwards.
Carry on down the hill and just past Cuilt Farm on the left, you come to the old railway station house, where you join a path to the right that follows the line of the old railway. Head around a football pitch and a children’s playground on your left, cross a bridge and take the road to the right back to the start.

Bearsden Walks

Blanefield

Blanefield Gallery :: West Highland Way :: Dumgoyne & Campsie Fells

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