WALK 4


DUNCARNOCK FORT (THE CRAIGIE) | NEILSTON


DISTANCE: 8km/5miles


TIME: 2.5 hours


GRADE: MODERATE


Balgray Reservoir and Glasgow from The Craigie


ROUTE INFORMATION


Ordnance Survey Explorer 333; Landranger 64


Ample parking next to Neilston Railway Station


Start at Neilston Railway Station GR NS479571


Pavement, farm roads, field, hill paths. Steepish climb onto The Craigie. Suitable for most walkers. The route crosses farmland so it is advisable to keep dogs on leads


Three


Heron, buzzards, roe deer, harebells


Accommodation available locally


The Bank Cafe, Neilston


Train: Scotrail Glasgow Central to Neilston.


Bus: Henderson Service 395


Barrhead to Neilston


McGills Service 54 Paisley to Neilston


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East Renfrewshire’s landscape is littered with historical curiosities and this walk provides plenty of evidence. For instance the name Neilston has led to much conjecture but one theory suggests a stone, which is passed en route, was erected to the memory of an officer named Neil who was killed nearby. The route also walks along Johnny Blue’s Well Road which is, allegedly, named after a local print-worker who washed himself clean of blue dye in the well’s waters as he travelled home to Neilston. Whether this account is true remains unclear but it adds flavour to this wonderful walk. Duncarnock (known locally as The Craigie) is also visited. Visible remains of an iron- age fort lie near the 204 metre summit and its history extends back to prehistoric times. Furthermore Mary, Queen of Scots supposedly enjoyed the remarkable view from the top.


1


From Neilston Railway Station turn R, onto High Street, walk along here, turn L into Kirkton Road.


Pass the field containing the stone that gives Neilston its name and continue along the quiet single-track road through peaceful countryside. The road bears L past Loanfoot Farm then passes a few cottages to reach the junction with Springhill Road.


2


Cross Springhill Road, go through a gate


into a field. Bear R cross the field to a wood, turn L following a fence down to a gate. Go through


The Craigie and Glanderston Dam


the gate and descend to a fisherman’s bothy beside Glanderston Dam with The Craigie ahead then turn L and walk along a track. Before reaching a gate turn R over a stile, follow a grass embankment above the dam and cross over a low fence beside four sycamore trees. At the end of the embankment descend L, cross a stile, a wooden footbridge then turn R, walk alongside a row of hawthorn trees keeping them on the R. After the last tree bear R. Walk towards a wooden stile at a wall, cross the stile and turn L following an uneven path below The Craigie. As the path begins


Glasgow from Fereneze Braes


to climb turn R at a fork and ascend steep slopes, passing the fortified walls, to reach the summit which provides an astonishing view the Southern Highland and Glasgow.


3


Retrace steps back down to Glanderston Dam and after the third


stile turn R to reach a gate. Go over the gate, turn L, walk along a farm track then bear L onto Glanderston Road. Continue alongside woodland then turn R onto Springhill Road. Follow this through lovely open countryside to reach Five- Ways junction.


4


Turn L onto Springfield Road (Johnny Blue’s Well Road), go


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round a tight bend, pass the well, continue alongside hedgerows eventually dropping down into Neilston at Sykes Terrace. Walk past a row of white houses to traffic lights. Follow the narrow road across a bridge to reach a roundabout. Turn R onto Kirktonfield Road, follow this to Neilston Main Street, turn L, pass the Leisure Centre and Neilston Library, turn L onto High Street and walk back to the Railway Station.


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