Mugdock Country Park

Mugdock is one of our favourite places to walk. Located just to the north west of Milngavie on the East Dunbartonshire/ Stirling border, about 8miles from Glasgow City Centre. It incorporates woodlands (deciduous and coniferous), paths, lochs, views of the Campsie Fells and heathland for your mutt and you to roam. For the people there are childrens parks and adventure trails 2 bbq sites for hire, a restaurant/bar, coffee shop, garden centre, a walled victorian garden, a castle and various craft outlets. The parking is free and there are 4 of them situated at various entry points to the park. You can also hire a horse at the stables, just at the farm adjoining the park if that's your thing and Mugdock village, on the edge of the park is a picturesque conservation village.

There are various trails, which connect. Walks range from 1-10km.

The East car park starts with a mild hill, goes past a small water filled quarry, up onto open heath. There are marshy bits, but these are mainly covered by paths or wooden walkways. Follow the path in a circle to return to the car within a km. If and you'll cross a small bridged burn. Look out for signs for Mugdock wood if you want to extend your walk from this area (adds 3-4km). If you choose to follow the oath round the loch, you'll eventually come to Mugdock castle. There gate in front of you into a field which holds some old ww2 gun turrets, used to defend Clydebank. You get a great view of the city from the top, especially around sunrise/sunset, but it also sometimes houses sheep and cattle. A lead is advisable if you plan to cross this field.

It will seem like it is the edge, but don't ignore the available walking space directly across the road from the car park. There is really pleasant walking (a bit more of a hill) up through coniferous forest out onto fell on the Campsie side of the park, with loads of space for the dogs to go off lead and roam. I've never come across any livestock in this area, other than the occasional rabbit, so it's great for chucking a ball or a frisbee and in the right light you get really fantastic views of the fells and out across Strathblane.

The other car parks (the south and the Khyber) are better for the woodland walks, but close EARLY. Only park in these car parks if you are starting your walk in the morning or if it's a short walk, early afternoon. I've seen folk locked in at 4pm, unaware these car parks close earlier than the others.

As for eateries, they're all pretty good. In the sunshine, eat outside at the picnic tables or the bbq sites (they're for hire). You can purchase it in the cafe to take outside. On a colder day, the bar/restaurants/cafes at the visitor centre are all pretty ok. There is a nice glass fronted cafe inside the Calders garden centre which serves a decent lunch and has nice views to the walled garden. There are often demonstrations at the little craft stores housed within the visitors centre of that's your thing. However mutts aren't allowed. Something to do with big tails and fragile objects not mixing......

Mugdock has loads of facilities if you've got a mixed walking group. There's plenty of space, loads of paths at different levels and offering different terrain. It is