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Clyde Walkway Stage 2 - another mixed bag

Clyde Walkway Stage 2 - another mixed bag


Postby cruachan06 » Fri Jun 24, 2022 9:05 pm

Route description: Clyde Walkway 2: Cambuslang to Strathclyde CP

Date walked: 16/07/2021

Time taken: 4.5 hours

Distance: 22 km

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And so we progress on to Stage 2, a fortnight after stage 1 in my case. Train to Cambuslang and a walk down the hill to rejoin the path at the bridges I had ended on previously, this time turning right and starting along the Southern bank of the river.

The path follows the road for a brief section, although the heavy growth of trees etc means you can't see it or the river at first. We do however get our first notice of being on a long-distance path, and a sculpture of a Heron.

ImageA rare waymarker!

ImageHeron Sculpture

The route passes under the main road and starts to become more rural, passing by Carmyle Viaduct (AKA Westburn Viaduct). Every so often there are plans to re-open this bridge as a cycle and walking route, but sadly trouble between gangs of youths from Carmyle and Westburn usually stop them in their tracks.

ImageCarmyle Viaduct

This section of the route largely follows the Argyle Line as well as the river and so we approach Newton, once a small mining village and a very desolate feeling station where anyone coming from Lanarkshire to Hampden for a football match or concert will have changed trains. Newton is growing rapidly with a lot of new housing and a large Park and Ride at the station, so there's a long section here where you're hemmed in on an overgrown narrow path with wooden fencing on the other side.

ImageWaymarker at Newton

At the end of this section is an odd downhill path made of bricks which is very slippery even in dry conditions, and at the end is one of the Clyde's tributaries, the Rotten Calder.

ImageLooking back to the brick path from Rotten Calder bridge

ImageRotten Calder downriver

ImageRotten Calder upriver

We then cross under the Argyle Line and through some farm yards to Blantyre Farm Road, which is VERY busy and the crossing is near a corner. Follow the path through some woodland until you rejoin the river and cross over behind Uddingston Grammar School.

ImageBridge under the Argyle Line at Blantyre Farm Road

ImageUddingston Viaduct

This is a much nicer section, although shared with cycle paths again it's through pleasant and quiet woodland and is close to the river. I found a convenient downed tree at a nice spot to enjoy my lunch, although a passing dog was very interested in the bacon in my sandwich!

Image"Beach" near Uddingston

As we pass through Uddingston we then reach Bothwell, and the ruins of Bothwell Castle.

ImageBothwell Castle

Shortly after Bothwell there's a climb to the David Livingstone memorial bridge, next to the vistor centre and an impressive view.

ImageView from David Livingstone bridge

Turn left at the vistor centre and briefly follow the road before rejoining the trail on an uphill section until you meet an abrupt drop (at least when I was there). This is one of the piers of Craighead Viaduct and the slope down was very steep and slippery. There was signs of work being done around the path when I was there however.

ImageRemains of Craighead Viaduct

The viaduct piers are all that remain, it was closed in the 1950s at it was no longer safe and some of the piers have collapsed since then. Once in the large field below the viaduct the path isn't signed, there's an obvious trail to follow but fencing off to the left suggested that a proper path is being created nearer the river bank. As you cross the field the noise increases as off to the right is the A725 East Kilbride Expressway. At end of the field is a path that follows the road, steps to the left allow access to what should be one of the nicest places on the trail, if not for the noise of the A725 and Bothwell Road traffic: Bothwell Bridge Lido Gardens

ImageBothwell Bridge Lido Gardens

Opened in the 1930s, this was an actual Lido with the swimming waters being the Clyde. There is still a walkway down to the riverside and the remains of the sandy beach installed there. It was still in use up until the 1980s when the extensive gardens were removed to allow the creation of the A725, and whilst it looks lovely in the pictures the traffic noise is unbearable.

ImageLido "Beach"

ImageWalkway down to the river

ImageBothwell Bridge from the Lido Gardens

From here the path climbs up to Bothwell Road and then crosses over (traffic lights just over the river at the junction). Some guides (not the one on this site) will still direct you to the old path next to the Covenanters Memorial - this path suffered damage due to flooding sometime in the mid 2010s and was never repaired as the route is now shared with NCR74. It's very noisy, but follow the pavement round to the right and use the bridges over the Raith Interchange and under the M74 before entering Strathclyde Park.

It's not well advertised, but there is a campsite in Strathclyde Park. The motorhome park (off to the left from the entrance and easily visible if you are coming down the A725 from Bellshill) also has tent pitches. If you are following the trail then the right hand fork is the one to take as this follows the river. However it also follows the M74 so is much noisier and much less scenic than the left fork (North side of the Loch) which passes M&Ds theme park, crosses the South Calder and has remains of a Roman Fort and bath house. Motherwell, Airbles and Hamilton Central Stations are all within walking distance of the park as well. If you're heading on through but need supplies the bridge behind the watersports centre on the South bank of the loch passes under the M74 and in to Hamilton. Head left here in to a retail park where there is a Halfords (gas canisters available here) as well as several fast food outlets, and on the other side of the road is a Boots chemist and an Asda Supermarket. I went this way as I was walking back home, Stage 2 officially ends at the Watersports Centre.

Overall another mixed bag. Boring overgrown sections around Newton and Blantyre, much nicer through Uddingston and Bothwell and then a very noisy end section as you enter Hamilton and Strathclyde Park. Easier going though than Stage 1 as it's not 100% tarmac paths.
cruachan06
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Posts: 274
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Joined: Jun 22, 2021
Location: South Lanarkshire

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