Forth And Clyde Canal

This is a huge route, best done in chunks. There are cities and town on the route, which have many attractions. I am only listing a couple of taster chunks here, which are local to me, but it is possible to use this path to walk between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The Stables Bar (A803 just outside Bishopbriggs approx 6 miles from Glasgow city centre). There is a car park at the pub, and a bus stop nearby to Auchinstarry Marina.

This route will take you from the edge of Bishopbriggs, along a part of the path which is wheelchair friendly (recently surfaced as far as Kirkintilloch Marina). Follow the path north towards Kirkintilloch (about 2 miles) down a sedate route through arable farm land on one side, with the Campsie fells on the other. As you come to Kirkintilloch you'll see Joe's Wharf on your left. There is a very loud guard dog Westie in residence, who loves to wade into the edge of the canal and warn you off the wharf! A bit further down the oath you will come to the Kirkintilloch Marina. There is a bridge across the marina, but my advice is keep going. Passing the college building on the right, and St Ninians School on your left, you'll soon come to a road. This is what we locals call "the street" (translated this means the main street or town centre). There is a large church called St Marys in front of you. Now is an excellent time to take a break from the canal. There are pubs and restaurants, but if you want to take the dog in, I recommend turning right, crossing the road and aiming for bar bliss just next to the library. They'll let your pooch in with you. On your way back you can visit the Auld Kirk museum of local history which has some local Roman artefacts from the Peel Park which sits right behind the museum. The park once had a mediaeval castle and a Roman Fort (the Antonine Wall runs through it). It now has a band stand and nice views out over the fells. Walk right through the park and when you reach the end with the red sandstone church, leave by the gates (the park is excellent for ball chucking). There is also a war memorial in the park and a children's park too. If you hit Kirkintilloch on the right weekend in August/September, you will come across the canal festival. This festival shuts Kirkintilloch down on the Sunday, with stalls, fairs, classic cars, the local public services, face painting, children's entertainers, music and dance. It's a proper, old fashioned town gala centred around the canal and the Peel Park area. It is great for both children and adults alike, and attracts people from the local area and beyond. It's also entirely free, finishing with a fireworks display. A few weeks earlier, at the Stables end of the walk, you can attend the Campsie Show, which is a traditional country fayre. It costs about £5 and has entertainment, animals,crafts and ample off road (ie in field!) car parking. Loads of folk take their dogs to this event. In fact, they often have dog displays.

On exiting the Peel Park, turn left and go down the hill (Tesco on the right). At the bottom turn right and head back towards the canal. When you get to tIf you follow this route for another 10-15 miles, you will end up at the Falkirk Wheel, which is a millennium project which links the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union canal. This impressive peice of engineering, which has a visitor's centre is basically a counter balanced wheel which scoops up a canal boat from one canal, still floating, and deposits it in the canal above, it can carry a full load of 2 boats plus water while using no more power than an average toaster. It looks fantastic at night time, when lit up, and offers a route between Glasgow city centre and Edinburgh which is off the main tourist trail. I can recommend my but of the canal, but there's loads more attractions on both the Forth and Clyde and Union Canals in other sections of the canal walkway. Scottish canals website has a good listings section for events, which I recommend looking at if you want a walk+ people stuff. However the walk alone is worth it.