This evening’s Photowalk takes in the small but interesting stretch of the Glasgow branch of the Forth and Clyde Canal. The complete Glasgow branch is the section which heads down from the Maryhill Stockingfield junction towards the city centre, but our walk takes in the section that links Partick Thistle’s Firhill stadium and Port Dundas.
Many thanks to Fiona Wallace for proposing & preparing this detailed information, She will lead this walk
Our start point is right at Speirs Wharf, Applecross Wharf and the recently opened Hamiltonhill Claypits nature reserve. An additional point of interest is the Arches DIY skateboard park just opposite Speirs Wharf. There are also fabulous views of the city from the area, especially from the southmost locks at Speirs Wharf and from the Hamiltonhill viewpoint on the reserve.
Meeting Point: Applecross Street (see map below). There is a small car park opposite the Old Basin House plus on-street parking, all of which are free of charge. I strongly recommend car sharing. For For those who prefer to travel to Glasgow by Train
First Bus no 7 Leaves Bus stop an Hope St at Central station every 15 mins to Bairds Brae, Possil Road, Port Dundas Journey time approx. 15 mins
https://www.travelinescotland.com/timetables?stopRef=6090987&servicesHeader=Port%20Dundas,%20Opp%20Dawson%20Road%20on%20Possil%20Road&serviceId=FGLA%207&direction=OUTBOUND
Alternatively Applecross wharf is approx. 15 mins walk from Cowcaddens or St Georges cross Metro U/G Station
Meeting Time: 7.30pm at Applecross Wharf. Sunset is at approximately 10pm, should anyone wish to hang around for that.
H&S stuff: We are on either tarmac or gravel paths and the area is pretty flat. There’s a smallish incline up to the Hamiltonhill (clue’s kind of in the name there) viewpoint. Clothing-wise, a word of advice would be that there is nearly always a breeze blowing along the canal, so don’t be fooled into thinking it’ll be roasty toasty even on the sunniest day. As usual, if you’re leaving early or arriving late, please use the club WhatsApp to let me know. If you’re not on WA, I can give you my mobile number.
Other things to see option:
A five minute walk in the opposite direction from Speirs Wharf (heading towards the M8) takes you to the Pinkston Water Sports area. There are some interesting features there including an old barge which is now on a landscaped area, the canal locks and of course the water sports centres themselves. Water Sport activity tends to happen in the earlier part of the evening, but there is no guarantee there will be any such activity at all on that evening. If this floats your canoe, there is on-street parking on North Canal Bank Street G4 9SP which is free after 6pm. I might start there earlier and then relocate to our official meeting point.
Useful Info:
https://static.visitscotland.com/pdf/scottish-canal-walking-guide.pdf