Bell's Bridge to Paisley

The path to Paisley from my flat in Cessnock is timeless. The flat where I live actually lies on the national cycle route which carries on past Paisley down to Greenock on the one side, and up and over to Irvine and Ayr on the other. Mostly on converted dismantled railways (kudos to Sustrans) and quiet traffic free roads, all of these radials shooting out from the city (not just the path to Paisley), are timeless in their embrace of freedom, fresh air, and flow.

From Bell's Bridge take the path past the IMAX cinema up to Govan Road where you can cut through the small and peaceful Festival Park (saying hello to the magpies and wood pigeons as you go!). Head along Brand Street for a few hundred metres before turning left into Harley Street which will take you up to the maind drag of Paisley Road West past the only underground station (Cessnock) that has made an effort with its entrance. We could almost be in Paris!

Cross over the main road into Clifford Street and turn right heading right along to its end where a set of stairs and footbridge will take you across the riverine M8 motorway to the large and spacious Bellahouston Park, which is just down to the right after you cross the footbridge. Head through the park (there are various routes), bearing diagonally south-west towards Bellahouston Drive which will take you down to Cardonald College. Through the quiet residential back-streets of South Cardonald (follow Kinnell and Dundee Drive) and Crookston, now alongside the White Cart Water, the path soon takes us into the infinite liberty of Ross Hall Park and the shade of some wonderfully enormous redwoods. At the confluence of the White Cart and Levern Waters there is a bench (a perch!) where one can rest and listen to the waters celebrate their re-union. From here, the path takes us past the old water tower, needling the sky like a pencil, of Leverndale Hospital, and past the morning fields of Bathgo Hill into the quiet suburb of Hawkhead and Jenny’s Well. Soon, we emerge onto the edge of Paisley at the foot of Hunterhill. If you follow the path along Hunterhill Road past some sturdy villas you will enter Saucel Hill Park (another humble drumlin) where a 42 metre high trig point will anoint you with a view of Paisley (and beyond) that is as timeless as the path you have just travelled. 

The magnificent redwoods of Ross Hall Park.

Leverndale Hospital water tower, field and trees...




























From Saucel Hill: An excellent view of Paisley Abbey and the Town Hall and the Kilpatrick Hills in the background, Duncolm hill clearly visible on the left.

From Saucel Hill: Looking north-westish across some notable Paisley landmarks towards the highlands in the distance.