walk of the week: calderglen, lanarkshire

tree-lined gorge with waterfalls cascading into a turbulent river, Calderglen Country Park near East Kilbride is a ‘local walk’ that is just as satisfying for those who don’t live nearby. The falls continue along a trail downstream with quieter stretches home to dippers, darting over the water like mini jet planes. Pick up a leaflet for a map at the visitor centre near the car park – this walk makes use of three of them. n

DISTANCE 6 miles. HEIGHT CLIMBED 310ft. TIME 3 to 3½ hours. MAP OS Landranger 64. PARK Calderglen Country Park is about a mile and a half south of East Kilbride, off the A726 Strathaven Road. The main drive leads to a car park.

IN SUMMARY Head past the Courtyard Cafe then bear right, round the front of the 17th-century Torrance House. The path drops into trees and at a junction go right to walk high above a gorge. Go left at a junction, down steps, to cross the river by South Bridge. After climbing steps up the other side, bear left to follow the river downstream. At another bridge, recross the river over the Horseshoe Falls.

On the other side keep right, to continue by the water. Pass the foaming Torrance Linn and after it go right, down steps. Continue following the river, ascending flights of steps in places before dropping back down to the water’s edge.

On reaching the Kingfisher Bridge, cross and follow a path to a road where you go left to recross the water via Newhousemill Bridge. Go right on the other side to join a waterside path. Watch for the main path swinging left, away from the water – going straight on leads to a dead end. The main path continues downstream, following red arrows on way markers. There are detours to the right which lead to viewpoints over the river as the gorge sides become steeper and the falls of Trough Linn and Black Linn are passed.

After dropping down and crossing a footbridge over a tributary of the river go left. Steps lead up and the path continues high above the river. A little further on go straight ahead, following a sign for a detour past the impressive Castle Falls. Rejoin the main path which bears right to reach a sign indicating the site of Calderwood Castle. Retrace your steps to just before Torrance Linn, where you go right at a marker post (not an earlier post high above the river with a yellow arrow pointing right). Pass through pines and at open ground look for path on the left which crosses a field to a playground. Go right to follow a drive back to Torrance House.

NOTE There are steep drops in places and it can be muddy underfoot so care should be taken if you are walking with young children.

REFRESH The Courtyard Cafe at the start of the walk.

WHILE YOU ARE IN THE AREA The park (www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk) has a conservatory, children’s zoo, adventure playground and a gallery, as well as a golf course.

NICK DRAINEY