Glasgow Guide Glasgow Visitor Guide - Colin Baxter

 Clyde Valley

 Crossford to Braidwood
Scotland's Highlands & Islands - Rough Guide Scotland - Rough Guide

Photographs of a circular walk from Crossford

to Braidwood

 in the River Clyde Valley

in Lanarkshire in Central Scotland


Road bridge over the River Clyde at Crossford Village

Road bridge over the River Clyde

at Crossford Village


The bridge was built in 1793

and is a "B Listed" structure


Crossford is on the Clyde Valley Tourist Route





River Clyde from bridge at Crossford

River Clyde

from bridge at Crossford





"Clydevale" Villa above the River Clyde at Crossford Village

"Clydevale" Villa

above the River Clyde

at Crossford Village





Rapids in the River Clyde

Rapids in the River Clyde





View from Clyde Walkway at Orchard Farm

View from Clyde Walkway

at Orchard Farm




Country Lane on route to Braidwood

 Country Lane

on route to Braidwood




Tinto Hill





Station Inn in Braidwood

 Station Inn in Braidwood 




The duck pond at Braidwood Village

The duck pond

at Braidwood Village





Path from Braidwood to Fiddler's Gill

Path from Braidwood

 to Fiddler's Gill







Signpost to Fiddler's Gill

Signpost to Fiddler's Gill

Fiddler's Gill is a dramatic wooded gorge

 and a Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI).





Braidwood Castle ( Tower of Hallbar )

Braidwood Castle

( Tower of Hallbar )

An "A" listed 16th-century tower house

 situated above the Fiddler Burn





Lee Castle

Lee Castle

A castellated mansion in Auchenglen

some 1.5 km ( 0.93 miles ) south of Braidwood.


 Lee was the seat of the Lockharts of Lee 

from its establishment in the 13th century until 1919.


The present house is the result of

rebuilding in the 19th century.


The house is  a category "B" listed building







Bridge over River Clyde at Crossford

Bridge over River Clyde

at Crossford




Craignethan Castle above Crossford







Map of Crossford and Braidwood area

Map of  Crossford

and Braidwood area



Trails Map of Crossford and Braidwood area

Trails Map of  Crossford

and Braidwood area
 





Route Map of Crossford and Braidwood Circuit

Route Map of Crossford

and Braidwood Circuit





Route Map of Crossford and Braidwood Circuit

Route Map of Crossford

and Braidwood Circuit




CROSSFORD & BRAIDWOOD CIRCUIT - ROUTE DESCRIPTION:


Location: South Lanarkshire
Map: OS Landranger 72
Distance: 5.5 miles (9km)
Time: 3-4 hours
Grade: Moderate countryside walk

This walk takes in an attractive section of the Clyde Walkway and then climbs to the village of Braidwood before returning above a beautiful — and unexpected — wooded gorge. It is typical of many walks in lowland Scotland in that it takes a bit of seeking out but once you have found it, the rewards are plentiful. It is just the ticket for a good autumn or winter day, and the climb towards Braidwood will have you glowing with warmth.
The first part of the walk follows the Clyde Walkway from the village of Crossford — its name clearly indicating that there has been a crossing point on the river here for centuries. Today there is a fine bridge arching across the river, which can be quite turbulent at this point.
Thc path is easy to follow and at one point climbs higher above the river. The next turnoff needs a little care. After the higher section of path, look up to the right to see a small group of houses. At the end of a large field you need to turn right towards these houses (at the point where you leave the walkway there is a footbridge straight ahead). The path leads up to a minor road and then you start climbing, quite steeply for a while. The next section runs along the slope, and you may catch a glimpse of the unmistakable pyramid of Tinto, Lanarkshire’s highest hill, before turning up into Braidwood, where the beautiful pond makes an ideal lunch stop if you have timed it right. Ducks and perhaps swans might come close in the hope of a titbit or two. After this the walk takes a path above the dramatic little Fiddler’s Gill, one of many such ravines in the valleys of the Clyde and its main tributaries. As with most of them, this one is heavily wooded with some superb mature trees. The Clyde Valley Woodlands National Nature Reserve includes half a dozen of these spots. The path wriggles down to cross a field, a slightly awkward bit, before crossing the Fiddler's Burn and then using an old road to get back towards the start. Looking up to the left as you join the old road you may see the large mansion house called Lee Castle. The final section leads down past Birkhill Farm and back across the Clyde,

Route:
Start and finish at the car park at the rear of the village hall in Crossford (GR; NSBZF465).
Turn left on the main road.
In 500m turn left over the River Clyde.
Turn left on Clyde Walkway.
In about 1.5km turn right on path heading up to houses, following the road uphill.
At fork keep left, steeply uphill.
At T-junction turn right.
At next junction keep left up to Braidwood.
At pond turn right on Loch Avenue past primary school.
Keep ahead on path between hedges.
At junction turn right with Fiddler's Gill to the left.
At road end go right through two gates.
Walk by fence.
Cross stile into field and walk diagonally down to gate.
Turn left on road.
Go right of metal gate on path down to cross burn by footbridge.
Climb to meet old road and turn right.
Continue with road past Birkhill Farm.
At T-junction turn right then left on road to cross Clyde and go right back to the car park.




Craignethan Castle Walk

Location: South Lanarkshire
Maps : OS Landranger 72
Distance: 4 miles (6.5km)
Time: 2 hours
Grade: short walk but with steep climbs



This walk takes in a fascinating but little-known castle, a fine nature reserve in a gorge and great views
from several points along the way. The Lower Nethan Gorge is -part of the scattered woods that make up
the Clyde Valley Woodlands National Nature Reserve. The entry sign features a badger and although these
animals are found here you Will be lucky to see one as they mainly come out at dawn and dusk, and keep well
away from people. From the starting point the path climbs steadily with quite a few steps, so take your time and enjoy the mature trees, which include birches. Views into the gorge are restricted due to the tree cover but you will hear the river flowing below. The slope eases and the path, now more level, runs next to a fence before descending to a bridge over a burn.
There is a viewing platform on the left from which you can see dowm the gorse and get your first glimpse of
the castle up ahead. At an open grass area, fork left, up steps to the entrance to the castle at a gate. The way in to
the castle is just ahead and to the right. Craignethan is a superb place which played an important role in a
turbulent period of Scottish history. The castle was started in the 1530s by Sir Iames Hamilton of Finnart
and later held by the Earl of Arran, Regent to Mary, Queen of Scots. After the queen’s defeat at the Battle
of Langside in 1568 the Hamiltons surrendered Craignethan and nearby Cadzow but took them back the
following year. The queen then left Scotland, never to return, and in 1579 the Hamiltons themselves were forced
into exile and the castle was taken over by Protestant forces.
The castle is sturdy and cleverly sited, and excavation in recent times revealed a rare example of a defensive
fortification known as a caponier, intended to provide protection from artillery bombardment. It is well
worth looking round and you can buy an excellent guidebook to help you.
When you are ready to leave, take the access road away from the castle.
At a T-junction, go left and continue on the road, passing a group of houses at Tillietudlem then a development
called Nethan Lodge. The name Tillietudlem was used by Sir Walter Scott in his novel Old Mortality and
a tradition grew that associated this name with Craignethan Castle.
The road descends steeply round a couple of sharp bends and crosses the Nethan.
 Keep a careful eye out for traffic.
Pass Corra Mill ( the same name as the waterfall on the Clyde above New Lanark ) and then tackle the tough little climb back up out of the valley.
Continue to a T-junction and turn left for the final descent back to  Crossford.
There are beautiful views across the Clyde Valley on this stretch, and looking back you can see Tinto
standing proud above the surrounding countryside.
This part of the Clyde Valley used to be famous for its tomatoes but the main focus now is on garden centres
selling a vast array of consumer goods. At least they also have excellent cafes where you can enjoy a break after
your walk.
Pass a few houses and then look carefully for a narrow path on the right. This is a local right of Way. Walk
down the very narrow path between well-kept beech hedges, passing glasshouses on the left.
Continue down to the main road and turn left, back to the car park at the end of a short but satisfying walk.


Route:
Start and finish at Crossford car
park, behind the Community Hall (GR:NS826467).
Walk to the main road and
TR.
Pass the Tillietudlem lnn.
Cross the
road and after crossing the Nethan, TL on the signposted path. The path climbs
quite steeply with several flights of steps then descends another stepped section.
Cross a small burn and at an open grass area go lelt up steps to the castle gate.
Leave the castle by the access road.
At
a T-junction go L and follow this narrow, twisty road down to cross the Nethan and
then steeply up again.
At a T-junction TL,
pass houses and in a further 300m look tor a narrow path between hedges on the R.
Follow this path down to the main road
and TL back to the car park.




Route Map of Craignethan Castle Walk

Route Map of Craignethan Castle Walk





Map of the River Clyde Walkway to Crossford Village

Map of the River Clyde Walkway to Crossford

( Click here or on above for large format copy )

Crossford - Braidwood Gallery Photo Gallery :: Garrion - Crossford Gallery Photo Gallery :: Clyde River Walkway Photo Gallery

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Glasgow Insight Pocket GuideCollins Street Map of GlasgowGlasgow: Then & NowThey belonged to Glasgow Phillips Street Atlas of Glasgow & West Central Scotland Glasgow: The Photographic Atlas100 Hillwalks around Glasgow 50 Walks in Glasgow & SW Scotland

Visit Scotland - Touring Guide Scotland: Where to Stay - Hotels & Guest Houses Scotland: Where to Stay - Bed & Breakfast Rough Guide ScotlandScottish Highlands & Islands - Rough Guide Scotland - Lonely PlanetScotland's Highlands & Islands - Lonley Planet Great Glasgow StoriesGlasgow & Surroundings - Insight Guide

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Classic Climbs - Central & Southern Highlands The Isle of Arran Lonely Planet, Walking in ScotlandPathfinder Guide: Skye and NW Highlands WalksPathfinder Guide: Fort William and Glen Coe Walks Rambler's Guide: Ben Nevis and Glen Coe50 Best Routes on Skye and Raasay - Chris Townsend









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