I had almost forgotten how beautiful and serene this stretch of canal towpath is. In fact, when I wrote my Travels Around Glasgow (a collection of short essays on some of these cycle trips), this was the first excursion on the list. Back then, I called the canal towpath the TOE (the towpath of emptiness) referring to its deadly quiet character (we passed only a few cyclists and walkers on this ten mile stretch from Gilsochill) and its capacity to send you into a mesmeric state (it's that constant rhythm and flatness). For the past few years however I have largely ignored this part of Glasgow concentrating more on the southern half, but today was a real resuscitation especially seen as you have that second engine (the wind) with you all the way (hence the train back from Croy!).
The route itself could not be simpler. From my gaff in Cessnock I simply cut across the Clyde and through Kelvingrove Park joining the Kelvin Walkway past the Botanic Gardens and through Kirklee Arboretum. At Wyndford high rise flats I cut up to and cross Maryhill Road into Lochburn Road and then onto the canal from there.
This particular stretch has no shortage of interesting locales en route. First off, there's the wonderful Possil Marsh with its myriad lifeforms bustling away, then, there's the idyllic Cadder churchyard and church, a lovely little corner if ever there was one. See if you can find the 'mortsafe' (where they locked up the dead the night before burial) in the churchyard grounds.
Further along, we come into Kirkintilloch and through it, and the views begin to open up over the Kelvin Valley and to the fells to the north.
Speed is the great disease of the modern age. Slowing down to a natural pace of moving is a necessary prerequisite to an opening up of Mind, and to a living that is more in tune with the Earth than with the corrupt corporation that seeks to close your Mind and divest you of it.
Approaching Twechar, you can see on the right the gentle rise of Barr Hill (155m).
The panorama from Barr Hill is astounding, especially over the Kelvin Valley and the strath of Blane. Looking back over the ground you have just covered is quite an experience. One almost feels as if one knows what it's like to be a bird!
Man in a landscape. The Kelvin and Blane valleys, with the Campsie Fells to the north.
Friday afternoon. Not a soul to be seen. Where is everybody!?
Recently, I noted the seven perches around Glasgow, naming the Tak Ma Doon (on the horizon) as one of the north-eastern ones. But, I have to confess that Barr Hill is a far better perch. Not only is it slightly closer to the city and thus proffers a better angle of view, but it is absolutely people-empty. No cars, no people, no dogs. Bliss!
The train station of Croy is a mere fifteen mins. from here. Just follow the path down the other side, and you will see signs for the station. 12 minutes on the train and we're back in Queen Street.
As if nothing had ever happened.
And yet...
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