Walk of the week: Glazert Water, Milton of Campsie

From the north-west side of Kirkintilloch, at map ref 655745, a short path leads to the railway embankment. Shortly after, cross a footbridge over the Glazert to head north on the mapped path by the west bank.

Later, go under a multi-arched viaduct that used to carry the Kelvin Valley Railway. In Milton of Campsie pass by the remains of the still clearly identifiable station platforms and through a tunnel leading to a cutting.

By now in a much more scenic form, the railway line crosses and re-crosses the Glazert, passes Lennoxtown station – now only recognised by the presence of two bridges – and on to Campsie Glen station, map ref 615787, where it is hard to find any remaining traces. Cross a Tarmac road to reach the Aldessan Burn, then by a wooden footbridge to the west bank and a well-signposted junction – Clachan of Campsie to the right, Strathblane to the left.

Now away from the railway, a lovely path follows the Aldessan (also known as the Kirk Burn). Then cross the A891 to enter the grounds of Schoenstatt, a retreat and conference centre, and a pleasant woodland walkway adjacent to the water. Leave the grounds by a large metal gate, briefly turn right on Knowehead Road to cross the Aldessan by a stone bridge and so to Clachan of Campsie, now a designated conservation area.

I recommend Aldessan Gallery and coffee shop for refreshment.

As has happened many a time, the day suitable to Jimbo, John and I coincided with bad weather. Heavy rain, albeit forecast to clear later in the day, plus extremely low cloud negated a trip to the Campsie Fells. So, making the best of a dreich day, and walking just below cloud level, we opted for what turned out to be a pleasant, easy stroll by the Glazert Water; from Kirkintilloch to Haughhead then north by the Aldessan Burn to Clachan of Campsie and back again – parallel, but well below our intended hills.

Two Campsie burns, the Finglen and the Aldessan, merge south of Clachan of Campsie to form the Glazert Water, which then meanders south-eastwards for some 4 miles to join the much smaller Kelvin Water ½ mile north of Kirkintilloch. The Glazert is nowadays generally a good quality river with a healthy trout population and its clean water improves the quality of the Kelvin.

Adjacent to the Glazert is the track bed of a dismantled railway which, after a six-year refurbishment programme completed in 2009, provides a well-graded pedestrian and cycle route from Kirkintilloch to Strathblane, known as the Strathkelvin Railway Path (Strathkelvin District Council bars horses and motorcycles). It is also a Right of Way, as is the path to Clachan of Campsie.

Opened in 1848, the Campsie Branch of the Edinburgh & Glasgow railway went at first only to Lennoxtown, but it was extended in the 1860s by the Blane Valley Railway to Killearn. The line was closed to passengers in 1951, although sections continued to be used for freight for over a decade. Beyond Strathblane, part of the old line is now used by the West Highland Way.

Map Ordnance Survey map 64, Glasgow

Distance 10 miles

Height Negligible

Terrain Path, mostly on old railway line

Start point North side of Kirkintilloch, map ref 655745

Time 4 hours

Nearest town Kirkintilloch

Recommended refreshment spot Aldessan Gallery and Coffee Shop, Clachan of Campsie