The Kelvin Walkway extends the West Highland Way south to the centre of Glasgow, from Milngavie to Glasgow Heliport on the north bank of the River Clyde, where it can be linked to the longer Clyde Walkway that continues south from the city. The route follows, as much as possible, the three rivers of the Allander, Kelvin and Clyde, to form a 'green link' from the bustling city to the countryside.
Summary
Metalled footpaths and pavements until Maryhill, and narrow, muddy single-track from there to Milngavie. Several flights of steps, some with handrails. Numerous stiles and gates in the countryside section.
Terrain
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1. The walk begins on the banks of the River Clyde, alongside the 'Armadillo' at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre and the Tall Ship, with the new BBC Scotland building and Glasgow Science Centre on the opposite bank. Make use of Glasgow's excellent public transport system to get here – buses and trains to Exhibition Centre station or SECC or walk along the Clyde from the city centre.
2. Head away from the river to cross the busy A814 via the footbridge, under the railway bridge and up the hill past the University of Glasgow residences on the left. At the top, turn left and proceed along a wooded footpath with glimpses of the Clyde through the trees. Fork right through a gap in the fence and begin to head uphill again only to almost immediately descend towards a small flight of steps and the first sighting of a Kelvin Walkway waymarker on a lamppost on the opposite pavement.
3. Follow this to pass alongside Kelvinhall and the Transport Museum, keeping the River Kelvin on your left. Cross the road and head over the pedestrian footbridge to enter Kelvingrove Park, where navigation becomes a simple matter of following the river as it wends northwards.
4. Cross the river at the second bridge and turn sharp left to remain parallel to the river, following a further left-hand minor path as it ducks underneath a road bridge to emerge outside Kelvinbridge Subway station. Continue along the obvious path under the Great Western Road bridge and follow the path as it crosses a footbridge back to the eastern bank and the remains of the Garrioch Flint Mill, formerly grinding flint for Glasgow's pottery industry.
5. Now it's a simple matter of following the obvious (and generally well signposted) riverside path until the Forth and Clyde Canal aqueduct is reached, where the path forks left to pass beneath the canal. The riverside walking resumes until alongside the footbridge to Dawsholm Park, where the path takes an abrupt turn to the right and heads uphill away from the river. Contrary to some older maps, make a signposted U-turn to take a pleasant path that runs parallel to the A81 until the West of Scotland Science Park is reached, where the exit onto the wide A81 pavement and cyclepath should be taken.
6. From this point the walk changes in character – gone are the wide metalled pathways, replaced by narrow and often boggy single-track travelling across relatively exposed countryside with few bail-out options. If you intend to end your walk here, this is the ideal place to catch one of the frequent buses either northwards into Bearsden (where there is also a railway station) or south into Glasgow. If you intend to proceed, turn left along the pavement, cross where safe to do so and turn right at the roundabout into a continuation of the science park. Take the right hand fork at the mini-roundabout to head into Acre, and proceed along the obvious footpath until a small path on the left heads northwards towards the river.
7. Turn right along the riverbank and continue roughly northeast, hugging the significantly smaller river as it travels across increasingly open countryside. The path will eventually reach the A879 at a narrow gap in a wall – exercise extreme caution at this point as the road is fast and the verge narrow. Turn left for a few paces and then cross when safe to descend through the hedgerow to a wooden footbridge running parallel to the road bridge to the left. Cross this and turn right to regain the riverside footpath. This path runs perilously close to the river bank in places, take care in wet or icy conditions.
8. The path traces a wide semi-circle, leaving the River Kelvin halfway round and transferring to Allander Water for the remaining distance into Milngavie. There are several stiles, in varying states of decay, to be crossed on this leg. The route meets the A879 again around 1km north of the first crossing, this time passing underneath. A short distance later a minor road must be crossed – step over the crash barrier on the far side to descend a flight of steps to a long, straight well-maintained path atop an embankment.
9. Cross the footbridge to the north bank where necessary and proceed a short distance before crossing back and continuing until the path ends at the A81 on the outskirts of Milngavie. Turn left under the railway bridge and almost immediately cross over and follow the path uphill as indicated by the Allander Way signpost. Turn right as indicated and continue across the small footbridge to a path junction. Follow the Allander Way signposts straight ahead alongside the railway line until the railway station comes into view. From Milngavie it is possible to continue northwards by following the West Highland Way, which leads eventually to Fort William. Most however will simply catch a train or bus south to return to Glasgow.
Walk description and photos: Phil Turner
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