Bearsden & District

Allander-Kelvin River Walkway

Photographs of the Allander-Kelvin River Walkway

from Milngavie to the River Clyde in Glasgow

Salmon ladder on Allander River in Milngavie

at the start of the Allander-Kelvin Walkway

Salmon ladder on Allander River in Milngavie

at the start of the Allander-Kelvin Walkway

Information Board at the Salmon ladder

on Allander River in Milngavie

( Note: Click here or on above for large format copy )

Allander River in Milngavie

at the start of the Allander-Kelvin Walkway

Salmon ladder on Allander River in Milngavie

at the start of the Allander-Kelvin Walkway

Gavin's Mill on the Allander River

in Milngavie

The village of Milngavie grew up

on the banks of the River Allander

where grain mills have been powered

by the river since the fifteenth century.

The village name may derive from the historic Gavin's Mill.

Gavin's Mill dates from c1670

and is a category "B" listed building.

Gavin's Mill has now been converted

for use as a restaurant.

RCAHMS - Gavin's Mill

Gavin's Mill

Gavin's Mill

on the Allander River

in Milngavie

RCAHMS - Gavin's Mill

Gavin's Mill

Allander River in Milngavie

on the Allander-Kelvin Walkway

Allander River in Lennox Park

on the Allander-Kelvin Walkway

Lennox Park/

Allander River in Lennox Park

on the Allander-Kelvin Walkway

Lennox Park/

Allander River in Lennox Park

on the Allander-Kelvin Walkway

Lennox Park/

Lennox Park in Milngavie

on the Allander-Kelvin Walkway

Lennox Park/

Lennox Park in Milngavie

on the Allander-Kelvin Walkway

Lennox Park/

Lennox Park in Milngavie

on the Allander-Kelvin Walkway

Lennox Park/

Signpost for Allander River walkway in Milngavie

Signpost in Milngavie

for the Allander-Kelvin Walkway

Signpost in Milngavie

for the Allander-Kelvin Walkway

West of Scotland Rugby Club

in Milngavie

at the Allander-Kelvin Walkway

Map of Allander River Walkway

The Allander - Kelvin Walkway

connects Milngavie with the Glasgow Heliport

on the north bank of the River Clyde.

The walkway follows the Allander Water

for 2 miles ( 3km ) southeast from Milngavie

to join the River Kelvin.

The route then turns southwest

leaving the Kelvin to strike south

through Summerston.

It joins the river again just north of Maryhill,

then proceeds south through Kelvinside,

Kelvingrove Park and Yorkhill to reach the Clyde.

A total distance of 9 miles ( 14.5km ) is covered.

Prescott Bridge

over Allander River

Memorial Plaque on the Prescott Bridge

over Allander River

Kilpatrick Hills

from the Allander River Walkway

Dairy Cattle at Boclair Farm

from the Allander River Walkway

Milngavie Herald

Facebook - Milngavie & Bearsden Herald

Cattle and Farm

from the Allander River Walkway

The "Tickled Trout" restaurant

at the Allander River

Bridge over the Allander River

Dumgoyne and Campsie Fells

from the Allander River

River Kelvin Walkway

Map of the River Kelvin

Route Map of the River Kelvin Way

RIVER KELVIN WALKWAY - ROUTE DESCRIPTION:

Location: Glasgow
Map: OS Landranger 64
Distance: 7 miles (11km)
Time: 3~4 hours
Terrain: Riverside path

The River Kelvin rises in the Campsie Fells and ﬂows south into Glasgow to meet the Clyde. The section from Kelvingrove to Maryhill has long been established as a path and cycle route, but some years ago the path was extended north to follow the Kelvin and then the Allander Water into Milngavie, where it links with the start of the West Highland Way.
From Kelvin Bridge the route heads north with several turnoffs leading to the Botanic Gardens.
You pass an 18th-century flint mill, a reminder of the industry that once thrived along the river. This led to the Kelvin becoming little more than a sewer as effluents of many kinds were poured into it.
In recent decades, the industry has largely gone and a big effort has been made to clean the Kelvin — successfully, as can be seen by the birdlife and by the fact the river now has its own angling association. It also has its own conservation group. Friends of the River Kelvin (FORK), whose website ( www.fork.org.uk ) contains much information about the river and details what they do to help conserve and improve it.
After 3km on a path you reach the aqueduct carrying the Forth and Clyde Canal over the river. It is worth taking the short diversion up to see the aqueduct and the impressive flight of Maryhill Locks. After this you reach the only problematic part of the walk.
Glasgow’s enthusiasm for creating cycleways is to be applauded but in the Maryhill area the profusion of cycleway signs seems to have overtaken the path route. Following the route I describe is however easy enough and will lead you back to the river ( which has meanwhile meandered through the University Science Park ) for the second stage of the walk.
This is amazingly different and quiet considering how close you are to the city. You may well see herons ﬁshing on the river and it is a beautiful stroll up to Balmuildy Bridge. The path can become overgrown, though it can be followed easily enough. The path improves again after Boclair and provides a lovely walk into Milngavie, maintaining its rural nature right up to the outskirts of the town.

Route:
Start at Kevinbridge underground station.
Walk down to river, cross footbridge and TR.
Follow riverside path for 3km to canal aqueduct.
Go up ramp to view Maryhill Locks.
Return to path and TR.
Path climbs away from river and through a park, then curves right by a wall to meet a road.
Ignore path sign on left and continue to cross Maryhill Road and enter Maryhill Park.
Follow main path, keep right at junction and cross park past play area to far corner.
TL on road past John Paul Academy and riding stables.
Go through gate on to track down to river.
TR and follow path for 2.5km to Balmuildy Bridge.
Cross road then cross river by footbridge and TR to follow overgrown path along riverbank.
Watch for stile on L and continue with path by Allander Water.
Go under road and then up steps to cross second road at Boclair.
Follow good straight path for 1km to Prescott Bridge.
Cross bridge and TL on track leading into Milngavie.
TL at road under railway then TR and follow path through wood and then as signed to town centre and railway station.