U3A Longer Walks 2016

Monday January 18th 2016 We meet at 9.45am at the Visitor Centre. We walk out of the entrance and walk along the road to the left. We take a path on the right through the woods to the top of the Cuilt Brae along past the Gowk Stane to drop down to . We walk past the allotments to join the old railway line and then up the Cuilt Brae to join the West Way. We then cut back through the woods to the road. We turn left and walk back to the Mugdock Visitor Centre and lunch at Caulders resturant/cafe.

Monday, February 1st 2016 Walk approximately 5.5 miles, 2.5 hours. Meet at Central Station by the clock at 10.15am. Walk along the Clyde towards the Tall Ship thencross the pedestrian bridge to link up with the Kelvin Walkway, heading towards Botanic Gardens. At Kirklee we will make our way along Great Western Terrace towards Road, where we will have lunch at Cafe Source Hughenden. From there it will take 10 minutes to walk to Hyndland Station.

Monday, February 15th 2016. We meet at Queen Street Station main concourse at 10am. We will then walk along Cathredral Street to the Cathredral This is a city walk for the winter, with the theme 'Pre-industrial . The total distance is 5.5 miles/9km. Almost flat walk and all on paved paths. The walk has two halves. (1) Cathedral, High Street and around the Merchant city to Glasgow Green. Coffee in the stop at St Andrews in the Field. (2) Along the to the Riverside Museum, where we have lunch, and return there to Station and the train home.

Monday, 7th March 2016 Catch the B10 bus – 9.28 Kessington, 9.38 Station. (it is sometimes a bit early or late) and get off at war memorial. We will walk along the pipe line track from Blanefield to . Reasonable track the whole way, a bit muddy in parts, no significant gradients. Distance is approximately 6 miles, takes about 2 hours. On a clear day good views over the valley and mountains. Take bus back to Milngavie / Bearsden (passes Killearn 11.51, 12.51, 13.51). To shorten the walk you can drop down to the distillery from the pipe line track and catch the bus back.

Monday, March 21st 2016 Meet at 10.00am near to the coloured metal flowers on Garscube Road at Cowcaddens. There is a bus stop just in front of the Dundasvale high flats at which both the 17 and 60A stop. Cowcaddens underground station is nearby. We will walk along the canal from Speirs Wharf to Anniesland, looking at some of the canal's history and current usage on the way, and with a slight detour into Ruchill Park. Total distance about 5 or 6 miles – canal towpath is flat. But a small climb up to Speirs Wharf from Garscube Road and also into Ruchill Park. It will be a fairly relaxed pace and there is the opportunity to opt out at different points onto Maryhill Road where there are plenty of buses. Lunch can be at the Loch 27 pub at Anniesland or in Morrison's cafe or anywhere else.

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Monday, April 4th 2016 Starting from Edenmill Farm (G63 9AX) on the A809 Stockiemuir Road ( Road), well signed on left approx ¼ mile beyond the Inn. Meet in the Farm car park (generous spaces) at 10.00am. The walk takes us along the for a mile or so (mainly tarmacked) where we pick up the newly opened Kilpartrick path to walk around Burncrooks reservoir returning back along the J M W. There are some short stretches of incline and we suggest a snack break half way round to take in the spectacular views, poles are advisable as the new path is still loose in places. Please be aware it offers little shelter particularly around the water. The cafe at the farm is still under refurbishment, however we can buy hot drinks, sandwiches & soup in the shop to eat at outside tables. Food not available at the Carbeth Inn Mon – Thurs. Distance is 6 miles, time just under 3 hours.

Monday, April 18th 2016 Start and finish at C E Centre, Milngavie. Meet at 9.30am. Distance approximately 6 miles. Time 2.5 to 3 hours. Route: Circular (WHW) to Craigallion Loch, Craigallion Woods, forestry path, Mugdock and Mugdock Woods, and WHW. Can be muddy and slippery in places. A few steepish sections. Lunch: Bullands (tel.: 956 6255).

Monday, May 2nd 2016 Start and finish at C.E Centre, Milngavie. Meet at 9.45am. Distance 6.5 miles (10.5 km). Time about 2.5 hours walking. Route :- Circular. Start in minor road opposite Cobleland Campsite.Walk right over the bridge then a few yards. Turn right onto cycle track (old railway line). When you reach Barbadoes cottage (sign post) turn right. This passes a farm and goes through a Holiday Centre. Near the road turn right onto a path which reaches the road. Keep to the edge for a few yards. Cross road. Walk up minor road (slight incline) to . Lunch at Black Bull. Walk up drive of Gartmore House, pass the House and down the main drive. Turn left onto Butlers Walk. This goes through woods and comes out onto a minor road a few yards from the start.

Monday, May 16th 2016 Meet at CE Centre, Milngavie at 9.30am. Callender Circular. Park at middle car park (lakeside). Start walk at 11.45am. Distance 4.5 miles. Time 2.5 hours approximately. Easy. Little mud. Gentle inclines. Route:- Road initially, with compact forrest track (0.5 route) then along road, track and then old railway line into Callender.

Monday, June 6th 2016 Meet at the Milngavie C E Centre/Library at 9.30. The walk starts and finishes in Drymen. The route follows part of the , West Highland Way and returns to Drymen through Buchanan Castle Estate. On good paths and no steep hills. (Distance approx 7 miles). Refreshments at the Drymen Inn at the end of the walk.

Monday, 20th June 2016 Meet at the Milngavie C E Centre/Library at 9.30am. We start at the Braeval car park (on left after Aberfoyle Golf Course on the Callender road). The walk leaves the car park onto a wide forrest road uphill. Later it joins the Rob Roy Way (RRW) and the path up the the viewpoint. After a stop we will rejoin the RRW downhill and the path to the car park. (Distance 5 miles. Time 3 hours approx). There are gradual inclines and one steepish climb to the viewpoint.(steepish in two places and levels out between). Lunch in Aberfoyle.

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Monday 4th July 2016 Meet at the Milngavie CE Centre/Library at 9.30am. From the library we will follow the River Allander past Tesco across the A81, past Rangers training pitch and out to Dobbies. There we cross the road and meander to Balmore Road having joined the Kelvin along th way. Into Balmuildy woods, down past Glasgow Golf Club, out into Acre Road and onto Maryhill Road where we will catch a bus back to Milngavie. (Distance roughly 7 miles, time about 3 hours). It is on the level with a few low fences to climb over and one high step with which we can help each other. Recommend you wear waterproof trousers as there is a lot of long grass which will be very wet after rain. Refreshments in Milngavie (Bullands).

Monday,18th July 2016 Meet at the Milngavie C E Centre/Library at 9.30am. Circular walk from Loch Katrine pier. Park at the pier. Level walk along Loch Katrine for 1 mile on road. Then climb a zig-zag track to meet a track terrace along the hillside for 1.5 miles then another zig-zag descent to the road and return to the pier. Tracks could be muddy. Road flat and very easy. Tracks climb moderately.Terrace track slight slopes. (Distance about 5 miles. Time about 2.5 miles). Lunch at restaurant near car park.

Monday, 1st August 2016 Meet at Milngavie C E Centre/Library at 9.30am. The walk is an approximately 6 miles circular walk from Overtoun House (near Milton), to Doughnot Hill. It includes muddy patches long grass at times, so boots are suggested. The route includes some slightly hilly sections, but if the weather is kind we should be rewarded with great views! Lunch at Baljaffray Precinct Cafe.

Monday, 15th August 2016 Meet at Caulders car park, Mugdock at 9.30 am. Circular walk to Carbeth Loch via Mugdock Woods and West Highland Way and return by higher path. Distance 7 to 8 miles. Time 2 hours approximately. Lunch or coffee at Caulders.

Monday, 5th September 2016 Meet at Milngavie CE Centre/Library at 9.30 am. Loch Sloy Dam Walk. Walk from Inveruglas Visitor Centre. Walk on verge, path past the Power Station to a gated driveway then follow the Hydro Board road. Easy modest high gain. Distance about 7 miles. Time 2.5 to 3 hours. Lunch at Cafe Lochan a short distance south on the A82.

Monday, 19th September 2016 Meet at the Milngavie CE Centre/Library at 9.30. Walk is at Loch Ard. Car park is at the east end of Loch Ard. At Milton follow the signs to car park. Milngavie to C P is 21.4 miles, time 40 minutes. Petrol contribution suggested £3.00 per head. Walk is circular – forest tracks, minor inclines and little or no muddy places. Distance 8.5 miles, time 3.5 to 4 hours. Lunch at liz MacGregor's in Aberfoyle.

Monday, 3rd October 2016 Meet at Grange Road, Bearsden at 9.30 and get the train from Hillfoot at 10.00 (front carriage). The walk starts at Westerton station at 10.30. We walk along the canal to Maryhill, back along the Kelvin, through Garscube Estate then Westerton Woods and back to the station. Distance 6 miles, Time 3.5 hours.

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Monday 17th October 2016 Meet at Baljaffray Shopping Centre at 9.30. The walk is a Drymen circular via . We start at the car park in Drymen and walk down pass the Buchanan Arms Hotel and take the path going up opposite "to Home Farm". At the top it goes downhill and turns right to join the driveway to Buchanan Castle Estate. Turn left and go through the next gate on right and follow track to Drymen Bridge and the River Endrick. Turn right at the bridge and follow road till you come to a sign "public path to Pirnie Hall 1/2". The path goes through a gate. Then it goes through the next gate, turn left and continue till you come to a house walk around the house to the right and go through a gate, Turn left on the John Muir Way and Cycle track 7. Cross A811 in Croftamie. Proceed along the JMW/cycle track to next junction after crossing a bridge. Turn left and follow the road back to towards Drymen. Pass houses, cross the busy A811 road and climb steps onto a lane and pass the Post Office and back to car park. Distance 6.5 miles, time 2.5 hours.

Monday November 7th 2016 Thewalk is around the Greenock Cut (circular) from Cornalees Bridge Visitor Centre. The Visitor Centre is on the road between Greenock and Inverkip (A78) and then turn onto a minor road signed to the Visitor Centre. Distance 7 miles. Lunch at the Fisherman's cafe.

Monday November 21st 2016 Circular walk of about 7 miles. Meet at the Stables, Glasgow Road, Kirkintilloch at 10.00 (The car park entrance is past sign, cross bridge over canal.) The walk is varied taking in part of the canal towpath, going past Cadder Kirk, through Cadder Golf Course, along the River Kelvin and into Torrance. After Torrance we walk along the route of a former railway line, past Hayston Golf Course and back along the canal path to the Stables for lunch. Time 2.75 hours approx.

Monday December 5th 2016 Meet at Balmore at 10.00am. Circular walk from Balmore. Distance 4 miles.

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