This circuit around Strathclyde Loch - centrepiece of the Strathclyde Country Park - provides a popular walk within easy reach of many urban centres.
Bog Factor
All good paths, suitable for pushchairs.
Last car park past Watersports Centre on south side of the loch. The circuit can be started from any of the car parks within Strathclyde Country Park.
Bus.
NS728567
This circuit can be completed in either direction, though the route description outlines a clockwise direction to end at the coffee shop within the Watersports Centre. Leave the car park and head towards the loch - turn left along the wide demarcated cycle/footpath that runs directly next to the shore. This is easy going and can be busy with both pedestrians and cyclists and also forms part of the Clyde Walkway (add link). After 1.8km the path curves left to bypass structures concerned with the various competitive rowing events that have take place on the loch, most recently the Commonwealth Rowing Championships in 2007, and the National Rowing Championships in July 2010.
Follow the path around these structures, always turning right if there is an option, to emerge next to M&D's Theme Park, which features over 40 rides and attractions, including five roller coasters and several water rides. Again, unless visiting the theme park, remain on the path which runs immediately adjacent to the loch, ignoring any paths which branch off left.
Pass a large expanse of grass, extremely busy with families on summer weekends, to reach picturesque South Calder Water. Head left to reach a footbridge across the river, cross and turn immediately right on the other side to reach the ruins of Bothwellhaugh Roman Baths. A comprehensive pictorial interpretation board outlines details of the exposed c.AD142 to AD162 bathhouse remains, dating from the time of the Antonine Wall and accompanying the nearby Roman fort of which little remains.
Continue past the ruins as the path moves closer to the loch, now within an area of deciduous woodland, but after 1km follow the path as it curves left and away from the loch shore again. After 500m the path emerges from the woodland into a further wide grassy area, complete with a sandy beach. Remain on the shoreside path to round the southeast end of the loch and begin the walk back towards the Watersports Centre.
If open, pass through the gates alongside the dinghy compound to watch the many waterborne activities available, ranging from speedboat rides to pedalos, before passing a Piper Alpha Disaster memorial and reaching the car park.
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